Minister of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning Oliver Dulic  yesterday presented the first contracts to banks participating in the programme for improving energy efficiency in Serbia, as part of which RSD 1.3 billion will be used for reconstruction and renovation of public and residential buildings.

Dulic said at a press conference that RSD 1 billion is intended to increase the energy efficiency of public institutions.

He added that the remaining RSD 300 million will be used for subsidising interests on loans to citizens for improving energy efficiency of houses or flats.

The idea of this programme is to increase rational use of energy and environmental protection, but also assistance to the construction industry in the times of economic crisis and the hiring of local construction companies for these jobs.