System of Direct Debit as a Method of Efficient Receivables Collection in Serbia

For many years Serbia has faced the problem of inadequate financial discipline which has, as in most EU countries, culminated after 2008. Procrastination of receivables collection at the request of creditors represents a major problem, which leads to a permanent increase in business sector illiquidity. In contrast to the EU which introduced strict deadlines for obligations settling in October 2010, Serbia did not want to increase state intervention in the free market flux. In paperwork the authors show what steps the Republic of Serbia are undertaking to improve the situation, above all through the Direct Debit model implementation, which is in the EU also at an early stage. The paper also presents a broad SEPA initiative which is implemented in stages in the EU from early 2004 and is planned to be completed by 2011, with special emphasis on Direct Debit schemes as an integral component. Specifically, the paper describes the Direct Debit scheme, which was introduced into the payment system in Serbia in order to improve the situation and create conditions for increased liquidity and the overall competitiveness of the economy, without introducing any drastic measures such as restricting the term of payment. In addition, the aim of the paperwork was also to show the full commitment to European integration, primarily in the field of payment systems. Finally, the paper shows that the measures implemented in Serbia may facilitate the collection of receivables, especially with the increasing effectiveness of enforcement of a claim, and lead to cheaper realization of the debit transfer.