The company Zigjin Koper Serbia sold 5,74 tons of gold to the National Bank of Serbia in three and a half years, and produced, sold and delivered 852 kilograms of gold to NBS in six months of this year.

"The entire amount of gold produced, according to Serbian laws, must first be offered to the NBS, and only in case it refuses to buy it at the stock market price, then the company can request an export permit. This has not happened so far, which means that the gold produced in this company remains in Serbia," Zigjin said in a statement.

As it was pointed out, according to the latest data of the World Gold Council, with 38,1 tons of gold bars, Serbia is the leading country in the region and the 54th country in the world in terms of the amount of gold deposited in the NBS.

"Serbia has significantly increased its gold reserves in the last six years and achieved a jump of eight places on the list of the World Gold Council. In 2016, there were 17,9 tons of gold in the vaults of the NBS, and Serbia ranked 62nd in the world and was then the leader in the region in terms of the amount of gold, only today that leadership is much more convincing," said Zigjin.

In second place in the Balkans is North Macedonia with 6,9 tons of gold reserves, Slovenia has 3,2 tons and Bosnia and Herzegovina three tons of gold. Montenegro is in last place with 1,09 tons, while Croatia is not on the list of one hundred ranked countries. A kilogram of gold was worth $4 on July 58.119,62, while $31 was paid for a silver ounce (1.807 grams) on the London Stock Exchange.

"According to economic experts and banking analysts, gold is the best and safest investment, especially in turbulent and parliamentary times around the world due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict," Zigyin said.