At the sitting held on 21 December, the members of the Committee on Science and Technological Development considered the Bill on the 2011 Budget of the Republic of Serbia, the part relating to the Ministry of Science and Technological Development.

Presenting Serbia’s 2011 Budget Bill, the representatives of the submitter, state secretaries at the Ministry of Science and Technological Development and Ministry of Finance Snezana Pajovic and Vuk Djokovic said that more than 11 billion RSD of budgetary revenue had been allocated for the Ministry of Science and Technological Development, as well as seven billion worth of non-budgetary funds. They declared it a satisfactory amount in view of the economic situation in the country and the funds allocated for other ministries.

Snezana Pajovic stated that the increased budgetary funds are encouraging for young talents and that the Ministry would strive to secure funds in the next year for all the researchers and projects that successfully pass the international review and meet the criteria.

The Committee members commended the increased allocations for science in the 2011 budget, particularly the establishment and financing of two new institutions – Centre for the Promotion of Science and Fund for Innovative Activities.

After the debate, the Committee members endorsed the Bill on the 2011 Budget of the Republic of Serbia, the part relating to the Ministry of Science and Technological Development.

The sitting was chaired by Srboljub Zivanovic, Committee Chairman.