Serbia’s Ministry of Finance reported that First Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali began a working visit to Washington around the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Spring Meetings, meeting with Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s and planning talks with Fitch Ratings. Mali said the rating agencies’ discussions focused on energy security and that Serbia’s response to the energy crisis was positively received, while reiterating that Serbia holds an investment-grade credit rating. Mali highlighted fuel and gas reserve levels of 92 days of diesel and 85 days of gasoline, alongside 600 million cubic metres of gas stored in Banatski Dvor and Hungary. He pointed to a 25 percent reduction in fuel excise taxes as a key fiscal measure to limit price pressures, arguing that without state intervention diesel prices would have exceeded RSD 260, and framed the fiscal cost as manageable given “stable” public finances, including public debt of 41.7 percent of GDP; a National Bank of Serbia delegation also attended the meetings. During his stay in Washington, Mali is scheduled to meet Fitch Ratings.
Ministry of Finance (Serbia) 2026-04-20
Serbia’s Ministry of Finance meets rating agencies in Washington to present 25 percent fuel excise cut and energy reserve buffers
Serbia’s Ministry of Finance reported that First Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali, during a working visit to Washington for the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, met with Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s and plans talks with Fitch Ratings, with discussions focused on energy security and Serbia’s investment-grade credit rating. Mali highlighted fuel and gas reserves, a 25 percent reduction in fuel excise taxes to contain prices, and public debt at 41.7 percent of GDP, describing the fiscal impact as manageable, while noting that a National Bank of Serbia delegation also attended.