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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Serbia's past helps ease the present | Serbia's past helps ease the present |
| (6 days later) | |
| By Marijana Zivkovic BBC News, Belgrade Many buildings had to be rebuilt after the NATO offensive in the 1990s | By Marijana Zivkovic BBC News, Belgrade Many buildings had to be rebuilt after the NATO offensive in the 1990s |
| Until recently the economic crisis which has swept across the world did not concern the citizens of Serbia - they believed that was something happening to others far away. | Until recently the economic crisis which has swept across the world did not concern the citizens of Serbia - they believed that was something happening to others far away. |
| Since the beginning of the year however, the crisis has spread across all aspects of the Serbian economy and society. | Since the beginning of the year however, the crisis has spread across all aspects of the Serbian economy and society. |
| The value of Serbia's currency, the dinar, has fallen, salaries have been frozen, prices have soared and bank loans have become expensive. | |
| Although they acknowledge the serious nature of the downturn, Serbians - who faced economic sanctions during the 1990s - do not consider the current crisis to be tragic. | Although they acknowledge the serious nature of the downturn, Serbians - who faced economic sanctions during the 1990s - do not consider the current crisis to be tragic. |
| Lean times | Lean times |
| Nikola Rajkovic in Belgrade was particularly hit by the government's decision to freeze salaries in the public sector and state enterprises. | Nikola Rajkovic in Belgrade was particularly hit by the government's decision to freeze salaries in the public sector and state enterprises. |
| Liliana says she goes food shopping later in the day order to find bargains | Liliana says she goes food shopping later in the day order to find bargains |
| He has been working for almost 30 years in one of those former "fat gooses" but nevertheless, he doubts that anything happening now might resemble the misery that Serbia suffered during the last decade of the 20th Century. | He has been working for almost 30 years in one of those former "fat gooses" but nevertheless, he doubts that anything happening now might resemble the misery that Serbia suffered during the last decade of the 20th Century. |
| "We are used to this up-and-down movement," he says. | "We are used to this up-and-down movement," he says. |
| "My parents had a very poor childhood, but through the years they increased their standard of living." | "My parents had a very poor childhood, but through the years they increased their standard of living." |
| Nikola's wife Liliana lost her job at the beginning of the 1990s and since then they have been living on the husband's salary of 350 euros a month - twice the average salary in Serbia. | Nikola's wife Liliana lost her job at the beginning of the 1990s and since then they have been living on the husband's salary of 350 euros a month - twice the average salary in Serbia. |
| Official statistics show that the average family spends about six euros per day on food, but Liliana says that cannot be true. | Official statistics show that the average family spends about six euros per day on food, but Liliana says that cannot be true. |
| "I spend a minimum of 30 euros per day for food. I go to the market after 11 o'clock because it is then easier to find cheaper food." | "I spend a minimum of 30 euros per day for food. I go to the market after 11 o'clock because it is then easier to find cheaper food." |
| TAKING THE PULSE OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY The BBC is Taking the Pulse of the Global Economy, looking at a range of subjects this summerFood prices - which remain a concern particularly in many developing economiesHighly volatile energy prices - which have been a major issue in the past yearThe plight of migrant workers - as the global recession takes hold in many economiesHousing markets - which have turned from boom to bust in many countriesRising unemployment levels - as firms cut back because of falling orders BBC World Food Price Index Taking the Pulse explained | |
| "I buy vegetables, fruit, and dairy produce. This is a minimum for a healthy meal." | "I buy vegetables, fruit, and dairy produce. This is a minimum for a healthy meal." |
| The citizens of Serbia have found some solace through bank loans. | The citizens of Serbia have found some solace through bank loans. |
| It is estimated that every Serbian owes the equivalent of two average salaries to his or her bank. | It is estimated that every Serbian owes the equivalent of two average salaries to his or her bank. |
| Many of them have been worried by the measures taken by banks since the beginning of the crisis. | Many of them have been worried by the measures taken by banks since the beginning of the crisis. |
| "The National Bank of Serbia introduced some new rules limiting the amount of loans one can have." | "The National Bank of Serbia introduced some new rules limiting the amount of loans one can have." |
| "I wanted to renew the loan for my car, but they said I could not have it," Mr Rajkovic laments. | "I wanted to renew the loan for my car, but they said I could not have it," Mr Rajkovic laments. |
| The family now only buy clothes for their children and they have had to curtail their visits to a restaurant with friends. | The family now only buy clothes for their children and they have had to curtail their visits to a restaurant with friends. |
| The only perk Nikola permits himself is driving to work. He drives a cheap diesel car. | The only perk Nikola permits himself is driving to work. He drives a cheap diesel car. |
| "The reason I use the car is my quality time," he explains. | "The reason I use the car is my quality time," he explains. |
| "A day has only 24 hours," he says. "If I spend one hour more in public transport that is one hour less for my family and my friends." | "A day has only 24 hours," he says. "If I spend one hour more in public transport that is one hour less for my family and my friends." |
| For the first time in three years, the Rajkovic family will spend the summer at the seaside. | For the first time in three years, the Rajkovic family will spend the summer at the seaside. |
| The cheap package deal will be paid off during the next two years. | The cheap package deal will be paid off during the next two years. |