Belgrade, September 17, 2001 (Beta) "The goal of the Serbian government in process of privatization is not to raise as much money as possible, but rather to lure investment from foreign companies with high technology, tradition, research and development centres and trade marks," said Djindjic addressing the participants of the "First Round table with the Serbian government".

The two-day conference organized by London weekly The Economist began today in the Belgrade Hyatt Hotel and will gather representatives of 150 foreign companies and 80 domestic firms.

"We will support all investments which bring new technologies; what we offer is a legally regulated environment and highly skilled workers," said Djindjic announcing that a special fund for continuing education of labour would be established.

The priority of the Serbian government is to further reduce the non-economic risks of doing business, so that foreign partners would be able to concentrate solely on the economic parameters of investing in Serbia.

He announced that the law on guarantees for foreign investment would be adopted within the next two months, and that a law on international arbitration is being drawn up. He stressed that the appointment of new officials in the judiciary was underway in parliamentary procedures.

The best manner of preventing corruption in government and state organs, according to his words, is to heighten levels of control, through an independent judiciary, media, and various non-government organizations.

Djindjic also went on to say that foreign investors would not need to negotiate directly with workers following the formation of an economic and social council made up of Government officials, trade union representatives and employers in Serbia.

Answering a reporter's question on the connection between politics and the economy, he said that the Serbian government was liberal and that there was no such connection, adding that the government nonetheless continues to support development of economic activity.

The meeting is closed to the public, but the meeting was opened on the occasion of Prime Minister Djindjic's and Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus's speeches.

Among the 150 foreign conference participants represented are German HVB, Bank Austria, Ernest & Young, Microsoft Adriatic, Lafarge, ICN and other multinational corporations.