Speeches Shim
Many countries around the world are struggling in the pandemic to conduct banking and commerce – the exchange of money and buying critical necessities. Serbia has risen as an example of how early USAID interventions are helping improve resilience in crises.
In Serbia, COVID-19 has led to mandatory lock down periods and long lines extending out the door at groceries as people struggle to get basic supplies while following social distancing guidelines.
While Serbia's government was rapidly mobilizing to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, Serbia’s Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) began looking for areas where they could contribute to help their communities.
Face masks for medical personnel, food and hygiene kits for homeless and other vulnerable groups as well as food for pets were all identified as urgent needs.
The one catch was that most CSOs in Serbia do not have massive cash reserves to dip into during difficult times like these.
Belgrade – On Thursday, December 12, 2019, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management launched a loan portfolio guarantee with ProCredit Bank, Addiko Bank, and Banca Intesa to incentivize them to provide up to $90 million in loans to food processors and individual farmers over a 12-year period.
BELGRADE – On December 5, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Cooperation for Growth Project (CGP) held an event at the Crowne Plaza hotel dedicated to helping Serbian companies and entrepreneurs expand their businesses. More than 250 representatives from Serbia’s leading small and medium enterprises (SMEs) attended the SME is MVP Forum.
BELGRADE – On November 15, 2019, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the mayors of six cities and municipalities (Niš, Kragujevac, Sremska Mitrovica, Novi Pazar, Žabalj, and Stari grad) to bolster anti-corruption efforts and strengthen transparent, inclusive and accountable local governance. With the seven new partners, USAID is now partnering with 13 local governments to improve transparency and increase public participation in decision making at the local level.
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