Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic stated Monday that in the upcoming period the government will work on export boost since that is the only way for Serbia to have a long-term, sustainable development.

Cvetkovic stated at a conference dubbed Competitiveness is the name of the game in Belgrade that all export incentives have to take into account the principles of competitiveness, since it is only with competitive products that the Serbian companies can have success in foreign markets.

The prime minister underscored that the government will endeavor to create a predictable business environment, cut administrative procedures and improve the efficiency of the state administration in the shortest possible term.

Cvetkovic underlined that one of the crucial hindrances to Serbia's competitiveness is the lack of funds, and therefore the government is working on founding of a development bank and a model for the restructuring of companies' financial liabilities.

He said that the government is well aware of its role in improvement of competitiveness, primarily in securing the macroeconomic stability, intensifying of reforms, creation of competitive environment, continuation of the EU integration process and attraction of direct foreign investments.

Cvetkovic stated that although the government has been reshuffled, its priorities will remain the same, and Serbia will remain committed to joining the European family.

The primary goal is winning EU candidate status by the end of the year, and for that reason each member of the government will have an additional responsibility.

The prime minister supported the National Competitiveness Council, which organized the conference, and according to him, this body should continue to organize expert talks, exchange of experience between representatives of state and economy, and coordination of institutions' activities on strengthening of the competitiveness of Serbia's economy.