public debt goes back below 45% of GDP in January after breaching ceiling in December. Next government to be forced to increase VAT to 20%, economists say. Serbia invites bids from would-be advisers for choosing strategic partner for oil shale mining. Economy minister says too early to estimate economic losses due to cold weather spell, but doubts figure will reach EUR 500 million. Switzerland, Serbia agree to boost cooperation on preventing illegal immigration, ''false'' asylum seeking. Serbia, Australia ink memorandum on fighting international organized crime. Bill on private security, detective services pulled from parliament over privacy concerns. Serbia posts RSD 135.2 billion budget gap, RSD 158.4 billion consolidated fiscal deficit for 2011. Debts to RFZO reach EUR 840 million, health minister says. Recent charges filed by State Audit Institution include economy, environment ministers, ex-health minister, Belgrade mayor. NBS drafting factoring legislation in cooperation with Finance Ministry, but bill's passage uncertain ahead of parliamentary elections, cbanker says. Several investors, including one ''large Chinese company,'' interested in Red Star stadium reconstruction, football club official says. Planum lands USD 35 million highway construction deal in Kazakhstan, says first of ''USD 1 billion worth of projects'' in Angola to start in H1. Serbia's retail sector sees 17% year-on-year contraction in 2011. Businesspeople from Kazakhstan eye Serbia's vital infrastructure projects. Canadian Dundee's subsidiary finds estimated 2.5 g/t gold on Mt. Crni Vrh in eastern Serbia. Development Fund expected to approve some RSD 13 billion in soft loans to firms in 2012. Serbia to invest EUR 5 million into establishing crop output forecasting and reporting service. Food giant Nestle's sales in Adriatic region grow 17% in 2011, ice cream output in Serbia jumps 50%. Kitchenware maker Metalac to log EUR 5.5 million net profit in 2011, targets 5% rise in output for 2012, board chairman says. Jat Airways offers fresh round of promotional fares for flights between March 1 and July 1. Serbia's sole youth hostel association becomes full member of Hostelling International. Serbia sells EUR 55.2 million worth of 53-week euro-denominated T-bills. public debt goes back below 45% of GDP in January after breaching ceiling in December. Next government to be forced to increase VAT to 20%, economists say. Serbia invites bids from would-be advisers for choosing strategic partner for oil shale mining. Economy minister says too early to estimate economic losses due to cold weather spell, but doubts figure will reach EUR 500 million. Switzerland, Serbia agree to boost cooperation on preventing illegal immigration, ''false'' asylum seeking. Serbia, Australia ink memorandum on fighting international organized crime. Bill on private security, detective services pulled from parliament over privacy concerns. Serbia posts RSD 135.2 billion budget gap, RSD 158.4 billion consolidated fiscal deficit for 2011. Debts to RFZO reach EUR 840 million, health minister says. Recent charges filed by State Audit Institution include economy, environment ministers, ex-health minister, Belgrade mayor. NBS drafting factoring legislation in cooperation with Finance Ministry, but bill's passage uncertain ahead of parliamentary elections, cbanker says. Several investors, including one ''large Chinese company,'' interested in Red Star stadium reconstruction, football club official says. Planum lands USD 35 million highway construction deal in Kazakhstan, says first of ''USD 1 billion worth of projects'' in Angola to start in H1. Serbia's retail sector sees 17% year-on-year contraction in 2011. Businesspeople from Kazakhstan eye Serbia's vital infrastructure projects. Canadian Dundee's subsidiary finds estimated 2.5 g/t gold on Mt. Crni Vrh in eastern Serbia. Development Fund expected to approve some RSD 13 billion in soft loans to firms in 2012. Serbia to invest EUR 5 million into establishing crop output forecasting and reporting service. Food giant Nestle's sales in Adriatic region grow 17% in 2011, ice cream output in Serbia jumps 50%. Kitchenware maker Metalac to log EUR 5.5 million net profit in 2011, targets 5% rise in output for 2012, board chairman says. Jat Airways offers fresh round of promotional fares for flights between March 1 and July 1. Serbia's sole youth hostel association becomes full member of Hostelling International. Serbia sells EUR 55.2 million worth of 53-week euro-denominated T-bills.