The International Monetary Fund has instructed the Serbian government to pursue the collection of more than €1 billion in accumulated unpaid electricity and gas bills, including debts owed by state-owned and public enterprises.
The directive targets major utilities Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) and Srbijagas, which have seen their receivables swell as public sector customers delay payments.
The IMF’s stance underscores the urgency of resolving liquidity constraints within Serbia’s energy infrastructure.
Persistent non-payment by state-linked entities distorts market signals and strains the balance sheets of key utilities, potentially limiting their capacity for maintenance and investment.
The fund’s intervention signals that fiscal discipline in the energy sector is a prerequisite for continued macroeconomic stability and potential future financing.
This development occurs against a backdrop of broader European energy market adjustments.