Siniša Mali, Minister of Finance and First Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, discussed significant upcoming developments in a recent interview on TV Prva, emphasizing the importance of an Expo slated to take place next week.

He described it as the largest event ever organized in Serbia's history, noting that more than 140 countries and approximately 350 delegates are expected to attend.

Mali pointed out that this gathering surpasses the previous milestone set in 2021, when 105 countries took part in the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Currently, 112 countries have confirmed their participation in the upcoming Expo.

He outlined the anticipated benefits of the Expo, including anticipated increases in salaries, advancements in road infrastructure, and support for pensions, framing it as a crucial opportunity for Serbia's development.

The Expo is positioned as a stepping stone for a new cycle of investment leading up to the 2027 event.

Mali reiterated his aim to present Serbia in an optimal light to the incoming delegations, highlighting the logistical and programming aspects of the Expo, which is planned to last for 93 days while featuring various cultural, sporting, and bilateral engagement initiatives.

The Minister also stated that he expects approximately 4 million tourists to visit Serbia during this period.

Further developments include the opening of new infrastructure projects, with plans to inaugurate 20 kilometers of a new highway from Pakovraća to Požega on June 28. An additional 25 kilometers of the Danube highway from Požega to Golubac is expected to be completed by the end of the year, alongside the establishment of five new factories in Serbia.

In terms of public finances, Mali announced that there will be an extraordinary increase in the minimum wage to 500 euros starting in October, rising to 550 euros from January 1. He expressed satisfaction with Serbia's collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), highlighting the positive evaluations of the country's public finances and reform measures.

Mali also addressed forthcoming legislation concerning family support, specifically a new law on the alimentary fund, which aims to address the issue of child support payments.

This law intends for the state to provide payments to partners not receiving child support, with plans to recoup costs from the other parent, supported by an allocation of 500 million dinars from the budget.

Additionally, he mentioned initiatives for youth, noting over 5,000 young people have already expressed interest in accessible credit options to facilitate home construction.

The upcoming legal framework will enable young individuals to build or purchase modular homes on their own plots, thus providing further support for the youth demographic.