The conclusion of the round table on the causes of legal and illegal business organized by the US Agency for International Cooperation (USAID) under the Business Enabling Project is that the Act on Inspection Oversight has significantly improved inspectors’ work and the business environment.
State Secretary, Zoran Kasalovic has said on this occasion that a great step forward has been made by this Act and after two years of its implementation we have results in favor of the fact that the foundations of this system are well established, in favor of the state, businessmen and citizens.
Kasalovic has said that inspection controls are no longer purely aimed at the sanctioning of a violator, rather the Act has given them a new preventive and advisory role and provided for joint and coordinated controls.
“This new role implies a permanent dialogue with the economy and we have already launched regular advisory activities between inspections and the economy. Consideration is given to the introduction, i.e. specialization of experts who would act as advisors for the economy in relation to objections to inspection oversight. The next major step of this reform, which is expected by the end of 2018, is the eInspector – a unique platform for the operation and reporting of all 40 inspections,” said Kasalovic.
State Secretary has emphasized that the inspection services will be provided continuous and institutionalized training within the National Academy of Public Administration that is currently being discussed in the Serbian Parliament.
Kasalovic has expressed his belief that thus organized system of inspection services, the new, advisory role, granted to inspections under the Act, will also influence the change in the position and attitude of the economy and citizens towards them. “The goal of everything we do in the field of inspection services is not to make people afraid of inspections or for people to make errors due to fear, rather the goal is for them to realize and understand that inspectors ensure equitable implementation of laws, equitable tax liability, and also that every control is linked to the safety of products that are placed on the market or services that are provided to citizens, thereby to the competitiveness of the economy and fair business environment,” said State Secretary.
The survey conducted by USAID shows that the different manner of operation of inspection services has resulted in the increase in the legality of operations, and 1000 surveyed businessmen have reported that they are much more satisfied with the work of inspections than back in 2013.