Economic Council of Democratic Party of Serbia was established by party Presidency decision on 30th of June 2008, with an aim to enhance Party Program in the area of economic development and contribute to the further development of Party general policy and objectives concentrated at creation of democratic society within Serbia. Development of Party Economic Program is devoted to the formulation of strategic approach, policies and measures that could response to the different challenges that Serbia as a transitional country is facing with, especially in time of global economic crises. The role of the Economic Council is to advise President, members of Presidency, parliamentary group of DSS within National Assembly and other Party bodies in the area of economy and sustainable economic development in order to strengthen communication between Party and constituents.
Operational tasks of Economic Council are to work on legislative proposals in the area of economy; to work on the improvement of the existing legislative framework in order to foster economic development in Serbia; to analyze and comment on Governments’ legislative proposals; promotion of DSS position regarding crucial aspect of economy in Serbia, EU and other countries; to communicate and coordinate the cooperation between DSS and other institution in charge for economic development (public agencies, chambers of commerce, associations of entrepreneurs etc.); establishment and capacity building of Working Groups.
At the operational level Economic Council has 13 working groups, as assisting entities dealing with the specific problems of certain economic area. Working groups are divided on: Working Group for Mining and Energy, Working Group for Agriculture and Forestry, Working Group for Science, Working Group for Trade and International Economic Relations, Working Group for Finance, Working Group for Economy and Industry, Working Group for Infrastructure and Balanced Regional Development, Working Group for Social Protection and Living Standards, Working Group for Ecology, Working Group for Health, Working Group for IT, Working Group for Municipal services and Working Group for Public Administration. In process of establishment of Working Group Economic Council was driven with the necessity to cover all important aspect of economy, but also to be efficient and effective.
Besides members appointed by the Party Presidency, Economic Council also has a network of members suggested by boards of Democratic Party of Serbia from more than 40 municipalities, with tendency to have representatives from all Party boards that exist at the moment. Establishment of this “Wider Economic Council” is securing constant transmission of ideas and possibilities for upgrade of Council activities by interaction with members from different local communities in Serbia.
From the very start Economic council has established close linkages with Youth Organization of DSS and representative’s of Youth work within EC. At operational level they are in charge to provide technical support to the EC and WG. Economic Council stand on a position that it is very important to increase the number of DSS Youth interested in the issues of economic development. Therefore EC started with educational activities and knowledge transfer in the as it is considered as a strategic investment.
Public relations of EC are conducted by statements, regular press conferences and one of the most important communication tools of EC is monthly newsletter “Economic Argument”. Leading motive behind “Economic Argument” is that DSS as political opposition could present to the public Party’s arguments and critical points of view about current economic policy of the Government, but also to suggest solutions to the problems that are tackling citizens of Serbia.
We sincerely hope that attitudes and analysis presented in newsletter give a strong contribution to the better understanding of economic processes in Serbia, as well as that some of them could be useful in formulating development policies of our country.
Economic Council formulated Program for Serbia’s Development during Economic Crises 2010 – 2015. as main position paper in area of economy and Local development programs for 21 Serbian towns and municipalities.
