The Investors Guide 2011 / 2012

The Investment Guide

2011/2012

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR AND EDITOR IN CHIEF Tatjana Ostojić t.ostojic@cma.rs ASSISTANT EDITOR Slavka Kovač s.kovac@aim.rs ART DIRECTOR Ilija Petrović i.petrovic@aim.rs

6

COMMITTED TO EU INTEGRATION PROCESS,

BOŽIDAR LAGANIN, director of the Serbian investment and export promotion agency (SIEPA)

8 11

LEADER IN SETTLING CLAIMS,

SINIŠA ERIĆ, a member of Dunav osiguranje’s executive board in charge of sales of non-life insurance and insurance claims

TRANSLATOR Snežana Bjelotomić

GENERAL MANAGER Ivan Novčić i.novcic@cma.rs FINANCIAL DIRECTOR Ana Besedić a.besedic@cma.rs EDITORIAL MANAGER Tanja Banković t.bankovic@cma.rs PRINTING Rotografika d.o.o.

Segedinski put 72, Subotica "The Investors Guide - Serbian Potentials 2011/2012" published by: alliance international media Makenzijeva 67 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 245 05 08 Fascimile: +(381 11) 245 05 04 E-mail: office@allianceinternationalmedia.com www.allianceinternationalmedia.com ISSN no: 1451-7833 All rights reserved alliance international media 2011

Krupanj, Kruševac, Kuršumlija

SERBIA ON THE RISE

PROOFREADER Max Williams m.williams@aim.rs

PROJECT MANAGERS Vesna Vukajlović, v.vukajlovic@aim.rs; Marija Savic, m.savic@aim.rs; Jelica Lepori, j.lepori@aim.rs; Nataša Popović, n.popovic@aim.rs;

24 25

Kosjerić, Kragujevac, Kraljevo

MUNICIPALITIES

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Aleksandrovac, Aleksinac, Aranđelovac Arilje, Babušnica, Bajna Bašta Belgrade

Batočina, Bela Palanka, Blace

26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Kučevo, Lajkovac, Lapovo Leskovac

Lebane, Ljig, Ljubovija

Čajetina, Ćuprija, Ćićevac Despotovac, Dimitrovgrad, Doljevac Gadžin Han, Golubac, Gornji Milanovac Ivanjica, Jagodina, Kladovo Knić, Knjaževac, Koceljeva 4

The InvesTmenT GuIde

Rekovac Sjenica, Smederevo, Sokobanja Smederevska Palanka Surdulica, Svilajnac, Svrljig Šabac Topola

Mali Zvornik, Malo Crniće, Medveđa Merošina

Mionica, Negotin, Niška Banja

Bor, Bosilegrad, Brus

33 34 35 36 37 38

Prijepolje

Loznica, Lučani, Majdanpek

Bogatić, Bojnik, Boljevac

Bujanovac, Crna Trava, Čačak

39 40 42 43 44 45 46 47

Contents Rača, Raška, Ražanj

Niš, Nova Varoš, Novi Pazar Osečina Paraćin, Petrovac na Mlavi, Požarevac Pirot Požega Preševo, Priboj, Prokuplje

Serbian Potentials

48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 58

Trgovište Trstenik Tutin, Ub, Užice Valjevo Varvarin Vranje Velika Plana, Veliko Gradište, Vladimirci Vladičin Han, Vlasotince, Vrnjačka Banja Zaječar Žabari, Žagubica, Žitorađa

edITorIal BoŽiDar LaGanin dIrecTor of The serbIan InvesTmenT and eXporT promoTIon aGency (sIepa)

committed to eu integration process Dear Readers, The last few years have been an exciting time for Serbia. As a nation, we are firmly committed to the European Union integration process and will become a candidate country this year. We have had the honour of welcoming FIAT to Serbia and look forward to witnessing the world premiere of its new models in Kragujevac.

Moreover, we have witnessed strong growth in the Information Technology sector with Serbian IT companies growing considerably in 2010 to become the largest in Southeast Europe.

Each business comes to Serbia for different reasons: Some seek lower cost manufacturing or try to take advantage of our country’s favourable geographic position and the 1 billion consumer market enabled by Serbia’s free trade agree-

as

In 2012, Serbia will continue along its path to the European Union and become home to many more international companies looking for a new geographic presence. As a fully integrated part of Europe’s future, the Serbian government will focus on continuing the development of our country as a friendly environment for foreign businesses. At SIEPA, we will continue to work with these businesses, providing them with the highest level of expertise and support needed to take advantage of all that Serbia a fully integrated part of europe’s future, the has to offer. 2011 promises to be an serbian government will focus on continuing exciting and positive year for Serbia the development of our country as a friendly and we invite you to join us.

I believe that the comprehenenvironment for foreign businesses sive information in this publication will assist you in reaching an informative decision ments with the EU states, Russia, Turkey, the US, about conducting your business in Serbia.

Southeast Europe, and the EFTA countries. Others are attracted by our country’s strong level of Thank you.

English language proficiency, highly-skilled and easily-trained workforce and extremely low 10% corporate profit tax rate. Regardless of the reason for their initial interest, businesses that decide to set up operations or conduct trade in Serbia are able to thrive in a reliable, dynamic country that affords them much greater opportunity than they initially perceived.

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The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

serbia on the rise

International investors have equal rights and obligations to domestic ones in serbia. The combination of legal framework and the stimulative tax and customs regime are ensuring that foreign capital enjoys security and prosperity in serbia

By Marija Vukosavljević & Goran Radosavljević

For 10 years, the Serbia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SIEPA), a government organization, has been providing professional services to investors in order or years, Serbia has been one of the most interestto assist and facilitate investments and for doing business ing investment locations in this part of Europe as in Serbia. The quality of our service is internationally recogwell as a reliable trading partner whose exports are nized and SIEPA received several prestigious awards such reaching more and more consumers in various demandas the 8th best agency of this kind in the world, according ing markets. Serbia has become the choice for many to the WTO, UN, and World Bank. We actively contribute to well-known foreign investors thanks to its excellent gethe improvement of the business enographical position, highly educated the most recent vironment in Serbia and its attractiveworkforce, financial incentives and favourable tax system. Although it is development that we ness to foreign investors. still an expanding market, Serbia alin sIePa are especially Investment tracK recorD so offers investors a unique opportuproud of is the Since the onset of the new milnity to sell products manufactured in increasing number of lennium, Serbia has grown into one Serbia to a market of over one billion investments in shared of the premier investment locations people. Free trade agreements that in Central and Eastern Europe. A list Serbia has signed with the Russian services in serbia of the leading foreign investors is Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan, topped by world-class companies and banks such as Fiat, Turkey, EFTA, CEFTA, the Interim Trade Agreement with Telenor, Microsoft, Coca Cola, Stada, US Steel, Michelin, the EU and the preferential status of Serbian goods in Gazprom, SiTel, Intesa Sanpaolo and many others. the U.S. market make Serbia very attractive for all types The result of the proactive policy is more than 12 of production. Serbia’s credit rating was recently upbillion euros of foreign direct investments in the past graded by S&P to BB with a stable outlook. Serbia’s likefive years. Leading investment sectors were local servly becoming an EU candidate country will improve this ices providers such as financial, telecommunications, oil rating even further.

F

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The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

and retail sectors. On the other hand equally significant and large were investments into the manufacturing sectors such as food, automotive, tobacco, pharmaceutical, electronics, clothing and others.

The most recent development that, we in SIEPA are especially proud of, is the increasing number of investments in shared services in Serbia. The contract signing ceremony that recently took place with the US company SiTel will provide for the opening of a 300 hundred person contact centre, and a couple of similar projects in the pipeline, testify that Serbia is moving towards a higher value added tier of FDI. We hope this will be the trigger for more massive BPO investments in the country.

Labor Pool Serbia’s labor force combines exceptional working efficiency with a sizable labour supply. With a unique combination of high quality and low costs, it is one of the key factors in reaching strong business performance. Technical education is particularly strong – high school students are among the best performers at world contests in natural sciences, while Serbian engineers are well-known for their expertise. In addition, Serbia boasts the highest English speaking proficiency in Eastern Europe.

Management education has also been improved by the introduction of joint graduate and post-graduate courses organized by local universities and by renowned Western business schools.

Investment Incentives Since 2006 SIEPA has been conducting a program of investment incentives. The program has significantly contributed to attracting foreign investment and has given more than satisfactory results. In the final round of the allocation of funds that ended in March 2011, 25 projects

Serbia Bulgaria Romania Poland Slovakia Croatia Czech Hungary

10% 10% 16% 19% 19% 20% 20% 20% 0%

5%

10%

15%

Corporate Profit Tax Rates in Eastern Europe

20%

25%

were approved. The List of Top 10 investments so far total value of these No. Name Sector projects is approximately 175 million eu1 Telenor Telecomunications ros and the number of 2 Gazprom Neft - NIS Oil & Gas new jobs that should 3 Delhaize Retail be created is more 4 Stada - Hemofarm Pharmaceutical than 6,000. This pro5 Mobilkom - VIP Mobile Telecomunications gram allows investors Philip Morris DIN Tobacoo to use non-refunda6 ble state funds ranging 7 Banca Intesa – Delta Banka Financial between €2,000 and 8 Salford Investment Fund Food & Beverage, Agriculture €10,000 per new job 9 Eurobank EFG Financial created. The Republic 10 Raiffeisen banka Financial of Serbia, through Source: SIEPA SIEPA, has so far subsidized a total of 171 investment projects with over 860 million euros. This resulted with almost 28 thousand newly employed workers.

In addition to these incentives, a special financial package is available for large-scale investments. If a project’s value exceeds €200 million, with a minimum of 1,000 new jobs created, the state might cover up to 20% of the investment. Investments of over €50 million that create a minimum of 300 new jobs can be subsidized in the amount of up to 20% of the project’s value.

International investors have equal rights and obligations to domestic ones in Serbia. The combination of legal framework, stimulative tax and customs regime ensure that foreign capital enjoys security and prosperity in Serbia. Serbia’s tax system is highly conducive to investments. Apart from featuring the lowest tax rates in Europe, investors can benefit from possible tax incentives which create excellent start up conditions.

Serbia Croatia Czech Romania Poland Slovakia Bulgaria Hungary

12%

Serbia Slovakia Czech Bulgaria Poland Croatia Romania Hungary

15% 15% 16% 18% 19% 20% 24% 0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

0%

30%

Salary Tax Rates in Eastern Europe

Serbian Potentials

18% 20% 20% 20% 22% 23% 24% 25% 5%

VAT Rates in Eastern Europe

The Investment Guide

9

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Net FDI, $ thousands, January – March 2011 Netherlands

99,360

Russian Federation

56,713

France

46,151

Austria

35,041

Slovenia

16,532

Germany

11,702

Spain

10,958

Italy

6,898

Liechtenstein

5,096

Montenegro

5,076

Net FDI, $ thousands, 2010 Netherlands

264,324

Austria

192,839

Slovenia

108,269

USA

77,048

United Kingdom

76,388

Switzerland

66,224

Cyprus

60,259

Italy

54,813

Croatia

49,498

Germany

44,138

Serbia’s labor force combines exceptional working efficiency with a sizable labour supply

Source: National Bank of Serbia

The Success Continues According to the National Bank of Serbia’s inward foreign direct investment (FDI) Serbia totaled $ 1,156 million in 2010, the country received $424.6 million during the first three months of the year. The biggest foreign investments by sectors in 2010 were in manufacturing industries, which received $447 million, of which about $ 232 million was invested in the production of basic metals. The other sectors were financial intermediation, whole-

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sale and retail business, real estate, transportation, construction, and agriculture. A similar trend continued in the first quarter of 2011. The biggest foreign investments in this period were also in manufacturing, real estate, insurance and financial activities, information and telecommunication, wholesale and retail trade, scientific and technical innovation activities, and construction.

The biggest investors in 2010 and 2011 are Benetton, the Delhaize Group, SiTel, Mühlbauer, Panasonic, Falke, Standard Group, Elrad, and suppliers such as Fiat’s Magnetti Marelli. The greatest success comes from companies that have already invested in Serbia and plan on expanding their investments and intensifying their business. The latest examples are the Korean corporation Yura which in 2010 and 2011 invested in three projects, followed by Fiat, U.S. Steel, Gorenje, Ball Packaging, Metro Cash & Carry, Heineken, Carlsberg, Pepsi and others. ■

The Investment Guide

Serbian Potentials Vojvodina in Focus

For only 300 RSD per copy (including P & P)

This unique publication contains information on investment opportunities in all hundred municipalities of Central Serbia. Following publication of the successful annual Vojvodina Investors Guide (distributed in July 2010), alliance international media is issuing the 2nd edition of this unique series offering useful information from Serbian municipalities, including all opportunities, terms and conditions for successful investments.

The Guide also includes all contacts, statements, maps and incentives – based on information directly provided by municipal officials.

This publication is supported by the Standing Conference of Serbian Towns and Municipalities, SIEPA and USAID. Please order your copy on: Tel. +381 11 2450 508 Fax. +381 11 2450 122 email: office@cma.rs

10

The Investment Guide

Serbian Potentials

InTervIew siniŠa eriĆ a member of dunav osIGuranJe’s eXecuTIve board In charGe of sales of non-lIfe Insurance and Insurance claIms

Leader in settling claims so far, dunav osiguranje has paid 7.1 billion dinars in insurance claims

A

• What kind of changes will the application of bonus-malus in calculating a premium bring to the serbian insurance market?

• how many insurance claims have Dunav - Following the National osiguranje settled so far?

Bank of Serbia mak- Out of a total of 126,378 insurance claims, last year, ing a decision to introthe company settled 122,267, i.e. 96.7%. Based on duce bonus-malus to this data, it is very clear that the average time needthe Serbian insurance ed for a claim to be settled has been drastically remarket, as of 15th duced compared to years before, and we are talking April 2011, the first about all sorts of insurance. The level of efficiency results of this deciin dealing with claims is the same as in the biggest sion will be visible as global insurance companies. We are also the number of September this year one when it comes to insurance claim payments when we are going to start differentiating between – 99.8% or 7.1 billion dinars. In the period from good and bad drivers. That will play an important January to May 2011, we have settled 44,983 claims role in deciding how high an insurance premium worth 2.7 billion dinars which is almost the same as should be. All insurance companies are obligatlast year. Small claims (up to 50,000 dinars), which ed to charge an additional premium (so-called are the most frequent, are settled promptly. When it malus) or reduce the premium (bonus), based on comes to other claims, the average time needed for a the driving records, i.e. claim to be settled is less than eight days. non-life insurance premiums in serbia the number of past insurance claims against a make 84% of the total number of • What type of non-life issued insurance policies, while life particular driver. Having this system in place insurance is the most insurance makes only 16% should make the drivpopular in serbia? ers more careful in traf- The Serbian insurance fic which, in turn, will lead to a drop in accidents. market is still considered undeveloped. According Last year, 445,035 people bought a car insurance to the 2009 data, the premium per capita was policy from Dunav Osiguranje. $110, while in Slovenia it was $1,418 and Croatia $402. Non-life insurance premiums in Serbia make 84% of the total number of issued insurance pol• What are the latest developments in casco inicies, while life insurance makes only 16%. The surance? most popular non-life insurance policies are asset - In the first quarter of 2011, the number of issued insurance policies (with a 26.8% share), followed CASCO insurance policies recorded a 4.5% drop comby car insurance (26.7%) and CASCO car insurance pared to the same period last year. Most of the peo(12.2%). These are the results from Q1 of 2011. ple usually buy the mandatory car insurance which has After the short-lived recovery of non-life insurance also declined by 1.8%. Despite these trends, Dunav premiums in 2010, there is again a visible decline Osiguranje has managed to maintain the same number in this sector in Serbia. of issued policies. ■ fter the short-lived recovery of non-life insurance premiums in 2010, there is again a visible decline in this sector – says member of Dunav Osiguranje’s Executive Board, Siniša Erić in an interview for the special edition of CorD magazine.

Serbian Potentials

The InvesTmenT GuIde

11

aLeKsanDrovac

aLeKsinac

aranĐeLovac

municipality of Wine

efficient Local administration

tourism huge potential

aleksandrovac is the administrative, economic, educational and cultural centre of the municipality

serbia’s main transport routes are in close proximity to aleksinac

aranđelovac’s famous bukovička mineral water is among the most highly valued amongst european and worldwide waters

The municipality of Aleksandrovac is located in central Serbia’s Rasinski district, and the town of Aleksandrovac is the administrative, economic, educational and cultural centre of the municipality. The municipality covers an area of 387 square kilometres. Aleksandrovac’s geographical position and climate are perfectly suited for growing all varieties of grapes, which is why wine cultivation and tourism are the two main development directions.

The municipality has extraordinary tourist potential, facilitated by the nearby Kopaonik Mountain and Vrnjačka Spa. Moreover, the area is home to many vineyards and the annual ‘Župska Vintage’ tourist event, which has been held for the past 45 years. There is the existing Župa Museum and the future Museum of Viticulture and Wine Making, with a built-in wine cellar. The Tourist Organization of Aleksandrovac can provide all the available information about tourism offerings.

The basic features of the municipality’s countryside, population structure and urban infrastructure provide the basis for the further development of the municipality. It also has a local development office to promote economic growth.

As 65.4% of the municipality’s territory is agricultural land (78.8% of which is actually arable land), it is no wonder that agriculture represents the main economic activity in the municipality. Viticulture, fruit and vegetable growing and livestock breeding are the most widespread agricultural activities.

contact: JuGosLav staJKovac, municipal president Trg oslobođenja 7, 37230 aleksandrovac Tel: +381-37-552-275 fax: +381-37-751-297 email: soaleks@ptt.rs; www.aleksandrovac.co.rs languages spoken: serbian and english 12

The municipality of Aleksinac is in Nišavski district, covers an area of 707 square kilometres and has a population of 57,749. Some 64% of the municipality’s territory is agricultural land, while 36% is hilly or mountainous.

The country’s main transport routes are in close proximity to Aleksinac. These include the main north-south rail line and the E-75 (Corridor 10) motorway that leads to Southern Europe and the Middle East. Niš’s Constantine the Great airport is 30 kilometres away.

The municipality has implemented the programme of the ‘Strategic Plan for the Economic Development of the Municipality of Aleksinac’, which was funded through the EU’s exchange programme and administered via the European Agency for Reconstruction.

The plan outlines the main activities to be undertaken to create positive conditions and to plan and implement the dynamic economic and social development of the municipality.

The municipality’s vision is to become a community able to ensure a high quality life and prosperity for all citizens through economic development. The plan also calls for Aleksinac to become a

contemporary European municipality by 2016, with developed entrepreneurship, economy and agriculture, high quality infrastructure, preserved nature, eradicated poverty, high employment figures, efficient local administration and richly preserved culture and tradition.

In May 2007, the Royal Netherlands Embassy bestowed the title of “Environmental Ambassador” on Aleksinac.

The city of Aranđelovac is the administrative seat of the municipality of the same name.

Aranđelovac, city and borough, has an area of 376 square kilometres.

The city itself has a favourable location for transportation, with the M-4 A-road traversing the municipality and linking it to the Ibarska A-road and then on to the E-75 motorway (Pan-European Corridor 10). About 38% of the local economy is made up of the manufacturing industry, while ag-

riculture, forestry and water management account for 20%. Aranđelovac’s famous Bukovička mineral water is among the most highly valued amongst European and worldwide waters. It has refreshing and beneficial effects on the body and a wide range of therapeutic and even preventative properties, if used regularly.

Tourism has huge development potential in Aranđelovac, with the area currently only served by three hotels. There are also a large number of private accommodation options, numerous cafes and restaurants. The municipality has devised an urban plan for the development of industrial zones in the areas of Peštan and Kubršnica, as well as the city itself. A total area of 164.12 hectares has been earmarked for these zones. Keen to attract new investors, the local government is ready to provide full assistance to both foreign and domestic companies seeking to invest in Aranđelovac.

All construction permits can be obtained within regular deadlines and with the full support of the municipality.

contact: ivan DimiĆ, municipal president

contact vLaDa GaJiĆ,

knjaza miloša 169, 18220 aleksinac Tel: +381 (0) 18 809-001; fax: +381 (0) 18 804-107; email: predsednik@aleksinac.org; website: www.aleksinac.org; languages spoken: serbian and english

head of municipal administration venac slobode 10, 34300 aranđelovac Tel: +381 (0) 34 710 100; mob +381 (0) 64 8669 295 email: soar@eunet.yu languages spoken: serbian and english

The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

ariLJe

Dominant food processing raspberry growing in arilje is known worldwide and has a protected geographical status The municipality of Arilje is located in western Serbia. It covers an area of 349 square kilometres.

In terms of the municipality’s transport capacities, there is the M21/1 regional road and the M21. The central Belgrade-Bar railway line runs through the municipality.

Arilje’s economy is almost completely privatised. The dominant branches are agriculture and food processing, as well as the textile industry, wood and metal processing. Raspberry growing in Arilje is known worldwide and has a protected geographical status. Over 5,000 of these small production plants in the open produce over 20 million kilograms of raspberries and provide considerable annual revenue. There are no large corporations here, ensuring the area is quite well adapted to market needs, while the ownership transformation of the state-owned sector has been completed and the unemployment rate is constantly falling.

The existing spatial planning documentation shows two industrial zones. The land on which these zones are located is privately owned, though each

zone is equipped with adequate infrastructure.

The procedure for issuing permits is carried out in three stages. The first stage involves acquiring the act on spatial planning conditions. This stage lasts between 15 and 30 days. The second step is obtaining a building permit, which can be approved in a maximum of 15 days. The third step is registering construction works, which lasts up to three days.

BaBuŠnica

suitable for agricultural production

The municipality of babušnica is suitable for a diverse range of agricultural production The municipality of Babušnica is situated in the Pirotski district and borders the municipalities of Pirot, Bela Palanka, Vlasotince and Crna Trava, as well as bordering the EU member state of Bulgaria to the east.

The municipality has a population of just under 16,000 and covers an area of 529 square kilometres. It is located on the M-9 regional road, which is linked to the E-75 motorway (pan-European Corridor 10) and the E-80 motorway (direction of Eastern

Europe). The municipality of Babušnica is suitable for a diverse range of agricultural production, while the area has an average of 78 head of cattle and 184 sheep per 100 hectares of arable land.

The municipality’s development strategy is mainly based on the further development of agriculture, primarily livestock breeding, crop farming, fruit growing and collecting medicinal herbs, as well as on constructing processing capacities (particularly for organic food).

Cattle breeding is the dominant economic branch and, thus, is given priority. However, the municipal authorities will continue advancing dairy production, fruit growing, developing mini-orchards, crop farming, bee keeping, vegetable growing, organic food production, reclamation of pastures and meadows, construction of small nurseries, plantations and developing experimental land plots.

Industrial technology currently used in the municipality is outdated, while privatised production facilities are almost non-operational and employ very few workers.

contact mirJana aLaKumoviĆ,

contact ZLatKo aLeKsiĆ,

municipality president milan petrović, coordinator of the office for local economic development, svetog ahilija 53, 31230 arilje Tel: +381-31-891-25; fax: +381-31-891-287 email: arilje@arilje.org.rs; website: www.arilje.org.rs

municipality president saša stanković, deputy to the municipal president, ratka pavlovića 1, 18330 babušnica Tel: +381 10 685 112; fax: +381 10 685 191 email: sobabusnica@ptt.rs; babusnica.opstinesrbije.com Serbian Potentials

The InvesTmenT GuIde

BaJna BaŠta

municipality on the river bajina bašta covers an area of 19,175 hectares and boasts over a thousand species of plants Bajina Bašta lies on the River Drina in western Serbia, in an area of the Zlatibor district dominated by the majestic Mount Tara. Bajina Bašta’s 673 square kilometres are home to some 29,000 residents.

Nowadays the region is the centre of forestry, hydro power plants and adventure tourism.

The economy of Bajina Bašta is based on the Bajina Basta hydro-electric power plant. In addition to the hydro-electric plant, the metal industry is represented by IKL and GP Razvoj; there is also clothing production, as well as a number of micro-facilities for wood processing. The area surrounding the town of Bajina Bašta is home to orchards and fields of fruits and vegetables.

The most profitable area for investment is in tourism. The Tara National Park can be reached directly from Bajina Bašta and it covers an area of 19,175 hectares and boasts over a thousand species of plants, as well as numerous reservoirs beside the rivers Drina and Tara. The park represents a huge opportunity and a very real challenge for the future development of the munic-

ipality. Lake Perucac on the river Drina and Lake Zaovine in Beli Rzav valley are perfect for water sports, the mountain slopes are good for winter sports, and a variety of game is available for hunting tourism. There are three tourist facilities with accommodation in the park, at Kaludjerske Bare there are two hotels, at Predov Krst there is a hunter’s lodge and at Mitrovac there is a children’s camp.

contact miLoJe saviĆ, president of the municipality dušana visića 28, 31250 bajina bašta Tel: +381-31-865-280 fax: +381-865-282 email: sobb@nadlanu.com; www.bajinabasta.rs language spoken: english 13

BeLGraDe

place Where roads meet with over 30% of the share in the national Gdp and total workforce, belgrade has a decisive influence on serbian economy

B

elgrade is Serbia’s capital city. It lies at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.

Due to its geographic position and the fact that it is surrounded by no less than three rivers, the city has often been called ‘The Gate of the Balkans’ or ‘The Door to Central Europe’.

DraGan ĐiLas mayor of belgrade

“the city of the future in south-east europe”

contact: dragoslava Jovanovića 2 11000 beograd Tel: 011/ 3229 678 fax: 011/ 3231 092 website: www.beograd.rs

suburbs have 1.576.124 residents, while the metropolitan area has 1.273.651. Most people live in the municipality of Novi Beograd, which has 217,773 inhabitants, while Sopot has the lowest number of residents – 20,390.

For many people, the Serbian capital city is also the centre of South-east Europe. The city has significant economic potential with over 600,000 employees. Belgrade is the place where state bodies and institutions have their headquarters, and is also the tourist, commercial, industrial, transport, financial, cultural and educational centre of Serbia.

transPort routes The river Danube, a navigable corridor that links the countries in West and Central Europe to the continent’s south-east and east, is one of the rivers that runs through Belgrade.

60 km of the river is actually in Belgrade, i.e. the river economY runs between Stari Banovci Belgrade owes its ecoto Grocka. The second bignomic strength to 50,594 gest river in Belgrade is the companies and over 55,000 Sava. It runs for 30 km from enterpreneurs.

Obrenovac to the confluence If we consider the main with the Danube. Belgrade’s belgrade owes its economic economic indicators, i.e. the river banks are 200 km long, strength to 50,594 total revenue and profit, inwhile Ada Ciganlija, the Great War Island and Gročanska companies and over 55,000 dustry, trade, financial and enterpreneurs other services, transport, Ada are the three most poptelecommunications and ular river islands out of the construction dominate the city’s economic struc16 in total. Following the construction of an artificial ture. With over 30% of the share in the GDP and lake and the Đerdap power plant, Belgrade has virtotal workforce, Belgrade has a decisive influence tually become a combined river/sea port. on the Serbian economy.

Ships from the Black Sea regularly use the Port of Belgrade, and following the opening of the RhinetourIsm Main-Danube canal, Belgrade has become the cenIn 2006, the Financial Times declared Belgrade tre of the most important waterway in Europe – the ‘The City of the Future’ in South-east Europe due to North Sea-Atlantic Ocean-Black Sea route. its exceptional possibilities for the development of tourism, geographic and strategic position, and dePoPuLatIon veloped infrastructure, rich cultural and historical North of Belgrade there is the Pannonian Plain, heritage. Due to a developed road, railway and air while Šumadija is directly south from the Sava and transport that links it to the rest of the world, the Danube. These are two completely different geonumber of tourists that frequent Belgrade has subgraphic entities – the Pannonian Plain is covered in stantially gone up in the last few years. a sea of wheat and maize, while Šumadija is a more Today, Belgrade is a city with modern commuof a fruit and vine growing region. nications and a developed economy, as well as beBelgrade covers an area of 322,268 hectares, ing the business headquarters for many global and with the inner city stretching across 35,996 hectares European companies, banks, and financial instituof land. The city is divided into 17 municipalities, tions. It is as appealing to businesspersons as it is to with Palilula being the biggest and Vračar the smallthe lovers of good food and fun. ■ est. According to the 2002 census, Belgrade and its 14

The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

BatoČina

BeLa paLanKa

BLace

sme enterprises Dominates

environmentally focus on agriculture friendly Zone

The municipal spatial plan envisages a total of four industrial zones

agricultural production is mostly aimed at producing organic food (in accordance with stringent eu regulations)

The municipality of Batočina is located in the Šumadijsko-Pomoravski district and covers an area of 136 square kilometres. Batočina is 105 kilometres from Belgrade and is situated on the E-75 Belgrade-Niš motorway, which is part of pan-European Corridor 10.

Batočina is connected to Lapovo, Velika Plana and Jagodina via the R-214 regional road. There are also two very important regional railways running through the municipality: Belgrade-Niš-Skoplje and Lapovo-Kragujevac-Kraljevo.

Small enterprises make up around 90% of all the companies here, while there are also four companies classified as medium and large. Most of the companies in Batočina are engaged in wholesale and retail trade, the processing industry, as well as agriculture and transportation In the production sector there are three companies producing plastic and rubber products. The municipality also has several textile and wood processing companies.

The municipal spatial plan envisages a total of four industrial zones, which are located just below the M-11 regional road. Investors can invest in production capacities that are in line with the industrial zone’s purpose.

The Brzan Industrial Zone covers an area of 17ha. Aside from a strategically favourable position, the zone has a water supply system and a gas pipeline. A gas regulation station need only be built to complete the zone’s infrastructure.

The municipality aims to provide all relevant logistics under its jurisdiction.

contact: raDiŠa miLoŠeviĆ, president of the municipality aleksandar Jovanović, deputy municipal president kralja petra I 37, 34227 batočina Tel: +381(0)34/841-208; fax: +381(0)34/842-314 email:aleksandar.jovanovic@sobatocina.org.rs

The municipality of Bela Palanka is situated in Pirot county. The municipality covers an area of 517 square kilometres and is located between Suva Planina (Dry Mountain) and Svrljiške Planine (Svrljig Mountain). Bela Palanka is located on the Niš-Bulgarian border infrastructure corridor. The Nišava is the major river running through the municipality. The municipality has two major springs – the Belopalanačko spring and Modro Oko (which is suitable for swimming). These are the biggest springs in eastern Serbia. There are also three thermo-mineral springs.

Agriculture is the municipality’s leading economic branch. Agricultural production is mostly aimed at producing organic food (in accordance with stringent EU regulations). The municipality of Bela Palanka doesn’t have an industrial zone, but it did take part in a competition launched by the Office for Underdeveloped Municipalities and was granted funds to write documentation for a future industrial zone.

The municipality has ore deposits suitable for producing specialised construction materials. It al-

so has a spring called Banjica, which is located in Bela Palanka itself and offers great potential to establish a water factory. There is also potential to utilise renewable energy sources. The main advantages are the environmentally-friendly area, archaeological sites, waterways, medicinal herbs, pastures and a good microclimate.

The deadline for issuing permits and relevant documentation is 30 days.

blace is proud of its private enterprise and local businesspeople who maintain a high quality and quantity of business operations The Municipality of Blace covers 306 square kilometres on the eastern slopes of Mount Kopaonik and the southern slopes of Mount Jastrebac.

Although it is on the fringes of the country’s main transport corridors, Blace lies at the heart of the local and regional transport route offering a good transit position.

The primary economic activity in the area is agriculture and Blace is well known for the production and processing of agricultural products. Blace has

skilled labour, a good local road network (each village is asphalt road linked to the centre of the municipality), a good relationship with the large consumer centres, more than 6,500 hectares of orchards, of which 5000 hectares are plums, 700 hectares of cherries, 500 hectares of apple and pear, with a large number of trees of old varieties of apples and pears, and with 100 hectares berry fruit.

Industrial production is not developed here.

Blace is proud of its private enterprise and local businesspeople who maintain a high quality and quantity of business operations. The entrepreneurial spirit of businesspeople in Blace and the objective environment for doing business is helping to provide a solid base for more successful performances in the coming period.

The Municipality of Blace is also aiming to become one of the rare Serbian municipalities that are practically free of state-owned companies, with the majority of local state-owned companies having been privatised in the past four years.

contact: sonJa ĐorĐeviĆ,

contact neBoJŠa miLosavLJeviĆ,

head of department of finance, budget and economic development, 28, karađorđeva, 18310 bela palanka; Tel: +381-18-855-023; fax: +381-18-855-188; email: nacelnik.finansija@belapalanka.org.rs; website: www.belapalanka.org.rs

president of the municipality, nenad milivojević, deputy of the municipal president, karađorđeva 4, 18420 blace, Tel: +381 (0)27 / 371-110; fax: +381(0)27 / 371-138; email: blace@blace.org.rs; www.blace.org.rs

Serbian Potentials

The InvesTmenT GuIde

15

BoGatiĆ

BoJniK

BoLJevac

a special offer for investors

a healthy environment

near the Bulgarian Border

bogatić is a little town and the municipality is located in the mačva district of serbia

The municipality of bojnik is located in south-east serbia’s Jablanički county

The municipality helps potential investors to secure all required documentation within the shortest possible timeframe

The Municipality of Bojnik is located in southeast Serbia’s Jablanički County. It covers an area of 264 square kilometres and has close to 15,000 inhabitants. The Bojnik municipality is surrounded by the municipality of Medveđa in the south-west, the municipality of Lebane in the south, the municipality of Leskovac in the east, and the municipalities of Žitorađa and Prokuplje in the north. Bojnik is 45 kilometres from Niš, and is linked to the E-75 (Corridor 10) international motorway.

The advantages offered by the Municipality of Bojnik include fertile arable land, water resources, and a preserved and natural potential suitable for the development of tourism and a healthy environment. When it comes to industrial branches, there are two cold storage plants and there is also the production of construction materials.

Bojnik has an industrial zone that is partially equipped with infrastructure. As Bojnik is considered one of the 24 most underdeveloped municipalities, potential investors are entitled to apply for loans from the Ministry of the Economy

Boljevac is a town and municipality located in the Zaječar District of Serbia. Boljevac municipality covers an area of 827 square kilometres. Some 46% of the municipality’s territory is covered by agricultural land, while 51% is forestland. The M5 regional road runs through the municipality and connects the municipality to Corridor 10 and the Bulgarian border.

The climate and land are perfect for developing agricultural production (cattle breeding, growing

Bogatić is a little town and the municipality is located in the Mačva District of Serbia. In 2002, the population of the town was 7,350, while the population of the municipality was 32,990. The Municipality of Bogatić covers an area of 384 square kilometres.

It has developed agricultural production, cattle breeding and vegetable cultivation. It is more and more likely that Bogatić in Mačva will become the tourist centre of that part of Serbia. A number of

companies have announced construction of a tourist-recreation complex for rest and recreation that will utilise the geothermal potential of this area. In addition, construction of greenhouses is also in the pipeline. The total surface of the complex is about 20 hectares.

The municipality has an industrial zone in the area of Dublje. The land here is state-owned, with the municipality being the beneficiary.

The zone has a so-called work area, which is also a demonstration centre for the exploitation of geo-thermal waters. This means that any activity relating to the utilisation of geo-thermal energy for commercial purposes can be carried out here.

The municipal authorities offer exceptionally low construction land fees and a location that possesses complete utility infrastructure. Bearing in mind that the urban planning act is regulated in detail, a would-be investor can obtain construction permits within legally defined deadlines, providing they have first applied for an excerpt from the urban planning act.

and Regional Development under very favourable conditions.

The industrial branches that are most suitable for investments are food processing, the exploitation of raw materials, tourist capacities, and water resources. The most important investors in the municipality are the cold storage plants in Bojnik, SBB Produkt – Beograd and cold storage plants Jugovoće in Donji Konjuvac.

medicinal herbs, fruit and vegetable cultivation).

The municipality has two industrial zones that cover an area of close to 50 hectares and the municipal authorities are currently working on providing adequate infrastructure. One company is already using the industrial zone for the production of industrial charcoal.

Aside from natural resources, the Boljevac municipal assembly has decided to exempt investors from paying municipal fees - on the basis of the number of workers they employ. Furthermore, the municipality has several other locations to offer in addition to the aforementioned industrial zones.

Investment recommendations from the municipality include investment in production activities in existing facilities, such as the trout fish farm in Jablanica, the sheep and goat farm in Podgorac and the bullock farm in Sumrakovac, etc.

In line with its jurisdiction and legal authority, the municipality helps potential investors to secure all required documentation within the shortest possible timeframe.

contact raDenKo petriĆ,

contact neBoJŠa nenaDoviĆ,

contact Dr neBoJŠa marJanoviĆ,

president of the municipality, dragan Grujuć, assistant to the municipality president 1, m. vitomirovića, 15350 bogatić Tel: +381-15-786-126; fax: +381-15-786-174 email: opstinabogatic@nadlanu.com; website: www.bogatic.rs

president of the municipality; Trg slobode 1, 16205 bojnik, Tel: +381-16-821-214, extension 115, fax: +381-16-821-174 email: office@bojnik.org.rs; language spoken: english

president of the municipality, slađan Đimiš, head of the department of economic development and agriculture, kralja aleksandra 24, 19370 boljevac Tel: +381-30-63-412; fax: +381-30-63-620 privreda@opstinaboljevac.rs; website: www.boljevac.org.rs

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Serbian Potentials

Bor

BosiLeGraD

metal and rich ore mining industry Deposits The diverse local economy consists of 482 companies and about 850 micro-firms The city and municipality of Bor consists of a central urban settlement and 12 satellite villages, with a total of 55,817 inhabitants (according to the last census of 2002), and covers an area of 856km2 in the Borsko District.

The diverse local economy consists of 482 companies and about 850 micro-firms, mostly operating in trade, processing or services. Bor’s economic structure shows the processing industry (27%) and trade (25%) as the top sectors, followed by agriculture (14%), transport and communications (14%) and other activities (20%).

Regardless of the apparent diversity, Bor’s economic activities are dominated by the metal and mining industry, with the RTB Bor mining basin contributing massively to the overall GDP and employing almost 25% of the municipality’s active workforce.

The Municipality of Bor is now implementing intensive measures to create conditions for the development of industry and business, such as the establishment of industrial zones and the creation of favourable conditions for the devel-

opment of private SMEs; organising and pooling individual agricultural producers and identifying natural values and cultural and historic offers, as well as better organising the capacity for tourist accommodation.

Bor is among Serbia’s most developed local economies: a dominant industry within the structure of the municipality, highly developed infrastructure and other factors all aid Bor’s future development.

Brus

focus on tourism and agriculture

The municipality of bosilegrad is situated in the very south-east of serbia

The Municipality of Bosilegrad is situated in the very south-east of Serbia, some 400 kilometres from Belgrade and 132 kilometres from Sofia.

The municipality is connected to neighbouring regions via the Bosilegrad-Vlasina regional road and further by the road leading to Vladičin Han, which is some 70 kilometres away and is bisected by a railway line. The Ribarci border crossing (SerbiaBulgaria) is located in the municipality, 10 kilome-

tres from the town of Bosilegrad. The municipal authorities are also currently working on restoring the functionality of the Kriva Palanka border crossing with Macedonia.

In terms of natural resources, the municipality has substantial ore deposits, while a total of 28% of Bosilegrad’s territory consists of forests.

There are also several potential tourist locations, including Lisinsko Lake, several hamlets, ethnocentres, health and spa locations and hunting and fishing grounds.

The municipality is currently able to offer potential investors land in the Rasadnik residential/ business zone, which stretches across 6,640 square metres and is owned by the municipality. This zone boasts adequate infrastructure.

There is also a former fruit and vegetable drying facility, which used to comprise part of the Zdravlje pharmaceutical company from Leskovac and is now owned by the municipality, and also a former sock factory and electronic industry facility.

These facilities all offer relevant infrastructure.

The area’s main economic branches are tourism and agriculture, with the kopaonik mountain resort covering 70% of the municipality’s territory Brus is a town and municipality located in the Rasina District. It covers an area of 606 square kilometres. Belgrade is 234 kilometres away.

The area’s main economic branches are tourism and agriculture, with the Kopaonik Mountain resort covering 70% of the municipality’s territory. Well-developed facilities for tourists are located at the Kopaonik ski resort, including an information centre in the resort village. Kopaonik lies near the main transportation routes in Serbia. The closest airport is in Nis. The municipality boasts the Jug (south) industrial zone, which houses six factories employing close to 1,500 workers. The zone has adequate infrastructure and utility facilities.

The Municipality of Brus offers potential investors all the available capacities for obtaining relevant documentation. Also, dependant on how big an investment is the municipality will also accommodate investors by offering favourable payment conditions, such as payments in instalments.

The municipal authorities are keen to assist potential investors obtain the required permits in the

most efficient manner and the shortest possible time.

Belgian company Vision Europe is the leading investor in Brus, with an investment worth €150 million. There are also companies like Leemans Marie Jean, which owns two hotels in Brzeć, and Greek company Otway, which is also based in Brzeć.

In terms of domestic companies, the biggest investors are Gemax, WEG, Goran Vujović, Dejzor and others.

contact LJuBinKa JeLiĆ,

contact vLaDimir ZahariJev,

contact Zoran ŠLJiviĆ,

head of the municipal administration moše pijade 3, 19210 bor Tel: +381(0)30/423-980; fax: +381(0)30/427-310 email: sobor@opstinabor.rs; www.opstinabor.rs languages spoken: serbian, english

president of the municipality, Tel: +381-17878-845; Živko stoilkov, independent expert associate for urban planning, 17540 bosilegrad Tel: +381-17-877-006; fax: +381-17-877-167 email: z.stoilkov@gmail.com; website: www.bosilegrad.rs

president of the municipality, zoran mirković, deputy to the municipality president, kralja petra I/120, 37220 brus Tel: +381-37-826-840; fax: +381-37-826-966 email: predopstinebrus@nadlanu.com

Serbian Potentials

The InvesTmenT GuIde

17

BuJanovac

crna trava

Great Business environment

ČaČaK

flourished and tradition of unspoilt nature agriculture and crna Trava has two industry primary resources: people and

The city is also located close to three international airports

The town of Čačak is located in the heart of central serbia

unspoilt nature The city of Bujanovac is located in the centre of traffic routes, next to a main road and railroad line, and part of international Corridor E10.

The city is also located close to three international airports. The border crossing with Macedonia, Cukarka, is 23 km from the city. The territory of Bujanovac municipality occupies an area of 461 square kilometres.

This part of the country is blessed by natural beauty, mineral treasures and tourist attractions. In the territory of Bujanovac municipality, under the protection of the state, is the natural resource of great importance ‘Dolina Pcinje’ (Pcinje Valley), which is under the second category of protection.

Bujanovac municipality is rich with mineral and thermal springs of the sodium bicarbonate type. The thermal waters in Bujanovac are an important incentive for the development of spa tourism.

One industrial and one production business zone exist in the Bujanovac municipality. The industrial zone occupies an area of 60 hectares. The production business zone occupies an area of 72 hec-

tares and has electrical power..

The reduction of the amount invested in infrastructure is prescribed, if the investor uses their funds to carry out construction work in connection with community infrastructure. On June 8th, 2010, Bujanovac municipality became one of the certified municipalities of the National Alliance for Local Economic Development, as a municipality with a favourable business environment.

Crna Trava is a village and municipality located in the Jablanica District of Serbia. The Municipality of Crna Trava occupies an area of 312 square kilometres and comprises 25 settlements with a total population of 2569 inhabitants. A sufferer of mass outward migration, just 20 years ago the municipality had a population of 20,000.

Crna Trava borders the municipalities of Vlasotince to the north/north-west, Leskovac to the west, Surdulica to the south/south-east and

Babušnica to the north-east. Crna Trava borders EU member Bulgaria to the east.

Crna Trava is one of the poorest municipalities in Serbia. There is almost no business or company operating successfully here, which ensures that outward migration is still an issue.

The most famous company originating from the municipality is construction company Crnotravac, which now has its head office in Belgrade and not Crna Trava.

Despite the assistance Crna Trava has been afforded by the international community and the government of Serbia, it has been insufficient to raise the municipality to the level of the developed municipalities of Serbia.

Crna Trava has two primary resources: people and unspoilt nature. Over the years, the municipality has lost the people, but the natural resources remain and have flourished. The area’s acidic but fertile soil, at an altitude of 1,380 metres above sea level, was identified as an optimum area for the cultivation of blueberries.

The town of Čačak is located in the heart of Central Serbia, in Moravički County. The town covers an area of 636 square kilometres. Čačak is 144 kilometres from Belgrade, and these two cities are connected via the M-22 road. The closest port is in Belgrade which is a distance of 150 kilometres. A section of the Belgrade-Niš-Sofia railway runs through the town, as do the Belgrade-Bar and Stalać-Požega railway lines. Čačak’s economy is very diverse. When it comes to the economy’s structure, the biggest economy sectors are the agriculture industry, retail and service sectors. In addition to agricultural production, Čačak is known for its paper industry, production of domestic appliances, cutting tools, chemical processing, manufacturing thermal appliances, as well as products made of timber, metal and combined materials, and timber and agricultural processing. Of Čačak’s territory, 68.5% is covered in arable land. A favourable geographic position, numerous sunny days and a fertile valley in the locality of West Morava have helped agriculture and rural tourism to develop in this area.

The town of Čačak has an industrial zone, which stretches along the right bank of the West Morava River. The current industrial zone is fully equipped in terms of energy, transport and communication infrastructure. Potential industrial zones located in urban and rural areas are divided into locations suitable for greenfield investments and brownfield investments.

contact faZiLa aZemoviĆ,

contact sLavoLJuB BLaGoJeviĆ,

contact vLaJisav papiĆ,

manager of the office for local economic development, karađorđa petrovića 115, 17520 bujanovac Tel: +381-17-654-517; fax: +381-17-654-517 email: kler-bujanovac@hotmail.com

president of the municipality, vatroslav slavković, assistant of the municipality president 16215 crna Trava Tel: +381 016 811 118; fax: +381 016 811 118 email: officeledctrava@neobee.net

head of the local economic development office Župana stracimira 2, 32000, Čačak Tel: +381 (0)32 309 019; fax: +381 (0)32 343 701 e-mail: socacak@eunet.rs; website: www.cacak.org.rs languages spoken: english, German and slovakian

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The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

ČaJetina

favourable Geographic position Čajetina’s main economic branches are tourism, agriculture, textiles, metal and wood processing The municipality of Čajetina is situated in southwestern Serbia and covers an area of 647 square kilometres. The municipality has a favourable geographical position and is traversed by regional roads leading to Montenegro and BiH. Čajetina’s main economic branches are tourism, agriculture, textiles, metal and wood processing. Mount Zlatibor represents the tourism centre

of the municipality. There is an open air museum called Staro Selo (Old Village) in Sirogojno, a waterfall in Gostilje, monasteries in Uvac and Dubrava, a gallery on the Borova Glava and in Trnava, the Tornik ski centre and the Obudovica ski slope. Agricultural land makes up some 56% of the municipality’s territory. The most developed agricultural branches are cattle breeding and fruit cultivation.

The most profitable area for investment is in tourism, including the building of tourist capacities and the development of recreational activities, as well as in the processing industry, primarily meat and dairy production, which both have a long tradition in this area. Potential investors are offered incentives, such as reduced utility taxes and the expedited issuing of relevant permits.

The municipality is ready to assist investors in every way possible to secure the best conditions for the implementation of an investment, depending on the complexity of an investment and business activity, as well as the investor’s willingness to implement the project as soon as possible.

ĆupriJa

ĆiĆevac

two industrial Zones

effective Governance

The advantages offered by the municipality of bojnik include fertile arable land, water resources, and a preserved and natural potential

The municipality of Ćićevac is no longer in the group of the 40 most underdeveloped municipalities

Ćuprija is located at the very heart of the Pomoravlje region and is 150 kilometres from Belgrade. The municipality covers an area of 287 square kilometres and has close to 40,000 inhabitants in 17 towns and villages. Ćuprija is located near to Corridor 10, which links the municipality to Austria, Hungary, Greece and Bulgaria. The international railway lines of Budapest – Thessaloniki and Budapest - Sofia traverse the municipality.

The dominant economic components of the municipality include wholesale and retail, the processing industry, transport, storage, communication and real estate.

There is also significant forestry potential.

Total arable land in the municipality covers an area of 29,000 hectares which is mainly used for agricultural production, while the remainder is covered in orchards and vineyards. The potential for tourism is untapped; however there are a number of traditional cultural and sporting events.

The Municipality of Ćuprija has two industrial zones (1 and 2), though both currently lack adequate

infrastructure. Industrial Zone 1 stretches across 80 hectares. It is in close proximity to the E-75 motorway. Industrial Zone 2 covers 165 hectares.

The municipal authorities have adopted a detailed regulation plan for the Dobričevo - Batinac industrial zone, while the municipality has also decided to exempt any investor hiring over 50 workers from paying a construction land development fee.

Ćićevac is a town and municipality located in the Rasina District of Serbia. The municipality of Ćićevac lies in central Serbia on the confluence of the south and west Morava rivers. It is surrounded by the Mojsinjske mountains and two very important transport corridors - the Belgrade-Niš railway and the Belgrade-Niš Corridor 10 motorway - passing through the municipality. The Pojate - Kruševac regional road al-

so runs through the town of Ćićevac.

The dominant economic branches are wood processing, production of construction materials, retail, catering, agriculture and transportation.

As of this year, the municipality of Ćićevac is no longer in the group of the 40 underdeveloped municipalities. In addition to the proximity to the highway, railway and river flows, it has contributed to the privatisation of two collectives in Stalac, which are ranked among the best in the country.

The Pojate Industrial Zone (Location 1) covers an area of 2.18 hectares and is located directly beside pan-European Corridor 10. Location 2 stretches across 27 hectares of land and is in the vicinity of the E-75 motorway, the M-5 regional road and the future E-761 motorway.

The industrial zone has adequate infrastructure. Municipal authorities will assign construction land free of charge, providing that certain prerequisites have been met. Permits are issued within three days of the submission of relevant documentation.

contact miLan stamatoviĆ,

contact BorivoJe KaLaBa,

contact ZLatan KrKiĆ,

president of the municipality, bojana božanić, assistant to the municipality, president for the economic development, 28, zlatiborska, 31310 Čajetina Tel: +381-31-831-367; fax: +381-31-831- 447 e-mail: cajetina@gmail.com; website: www.cajetina.org.rs

president of the municipality, Tel: +381-35-470-248, ext. 102; 13.oktobra 7, 35230 Ćuprija email: info@cuprija.rs; website: www.cuprija.rs languages: serbian, english, french, German, Italian & russian

president of the municipality, dragana radosavljević, head of the municipality president’s office karađorđeva 106, 37210 Ćićevac Tel: +381-37-811-260,fax: +381-37-811-260 email: kabinetcicevac@gmail.com

Serbian Potentials

The InvesTmenT GuIde

19

Despotovac

DimitrovGraD

underground investment

DoLJevac

major transport Low route construction Two routes of international Land fees importance run through the town

beljanica mountain, the only limestone mountain in eastern serbia

doljevac offers an environment with very favourable traffic connections and a good geographical location

The municipality of Despotovac is located in the Pomoravlje district. Despotovac and covers an area of 623 square kilometres, it is also well connected to neighbouring municipalities and is also in the vicinity of pan-European Transport Corridor 10.

The town of Despotovac is around 130 kilometres from Belgrade and 140 kilometres from Niš.

There is also the Markovac-Svilajnac-DespotovacResavica railway line, which is 42 kilometres long.

The territory of the municipality of Despotovac

is ideal for agricultural production, which is the dominant economic branch here alongside mining and forestry. The exceptional geo-morphological composition of the land, coupled with a favourable climate, provides a solid basis for the further development of agriculture and the municipality’s numerous settlements.

The municipality recommends that investors consider the following branches: mining, forestry, agriculture and tourism.

Beljanica mountain, the only limestone mountain in eastern Serbia, boasts an attractive landscape and hydrology potential, highlands with possible ski resort locations, as well as many waterfalls.

The tourist destination of Resavska Cave offers an insight into the underground world and depicts a history of prehistoric human settlements in this part of Europe. Two kilometres northwest of Despotovac lies the Manasija Monastery.

It takes up to 30 days for the municipal authorities to issue an investor with all the required permits and documentation.

Dimitrovgrad is a town and municipality covering 483 square kilometres in the extreme southeast of Serbia, in the Pirotski district. It is only 20 kilometres from Pirot, 90 kilometres from Niš, and 65 kilometres from Sofia.

Two routes of international importance run through the town: the international arm of the pan-European Corridor 10 and the rail line Niš Dimitrovgrad - Sofia. This is the main transport route inking Europe and the Asian continent, while the Gradina border crossing with Bulgaria is just five kilometres from Dimitrovgrad.

The main economy sectors are the production of ready-made animal fodder, bakeries, clothing, manufacturing, finishing and fur dying, manufacture of leather, footwear, paper and cardboard, packaging products from rubber, metal products and the production of television and radio transmitters.

Projects for the construction of infrastructure, including water and sewage, have been designed, while the site has also been divided into plots. The municipal authorities have also initiated the procedure of compiling a detailed regulation plan for the

complex industrial zone Beleš, to cover a surface area of 5.95 hectares.

The area is also rich in mineral and thermal springs and a spa that has been renowned since ancient times and offers excellent opportunities for the further development of transit tourism, particularly with sites like the Monastery of St. Jovan Bogoslov (a World Heritage site) and the Roman Zvonačka Spa.

The municipality of Doljevac is located in south-eastern Serbia in the extreme north of the Leskovačka Valley in the Nišava district. Doljevac municipality covers an area of 121 square kilometres. Doljevac offers an environment with very favourable traffic connections and a good geographical location. Through the central part of the municipality, from the north to the south, passes the main railway line and highway Belgrade-Nis-

Thessaloniki-Athens, and these links directly connect with the network of international traffic.

The municipality’s dominant economic branch is agriculture.

The Doljevac industrial zone is located along Corridor 10 and regional roads R-245 (leading to Prokuplje) and R-214 (Niš-Leskovac). The zone is just a few hundred metres from the customs office in Doljevac and 20 kilometres from the Niš airport. It boasts complete infrastructure. The municipality has very low construction land fees and a 50% lower tax rate. There are also exemptions from paying land fees for substantial investments creating a significant number of jobs in the municipality.

In cases of major commercial construction endeavours requiring a defined urban planning project, the municipal authorities can expedite the work of the relevant commissions.

The biggest greenfield investment here to date has been worth €10 million and was made

by Forest Enterprises.

contact maLiŠa aLimpiJeviĆ,

contact Dr veseLin veLiČKov,

contact Goran LJuBiĆ,

president of the municipality, danilo nikolić, assistant to the municipal president for economic development, Tel: +381-35-611-117 fax: +381-35-613-606 email: danilon@ptt.rs; language spoken: english

president of the municipality, balkanska 2, 18320 dimitrovgrad Tel: +381 10 361 100; fax. +381 10 361 110 email: sodimitrovgrad@yahoo.com; www.dimitrovgrad.rs languages spoken: serbian, english and bulgarian

president of the municipality kralja aleksandra bb, 18255 pukovac Tel: +381-18-810-054; fax: +381-18-810-055 email: jocapesic@gmail.com; website: www.sodoljevac.co.rs languages spoken: serbian and english

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The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

GaDŽin han

Berry ideal conditions

GoLuBac

potential river tourism

Golubac is located in the area where according to the quality of soil and the danube is the widest climatic conditions, this area is suitable for cultivating strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and cherries Gadžin Han covers an area of 325 square kilometres in the Nišavski district of southern Serbia.

Arable fields and gardens occupy over half of all land; pastureland covers 27% of the territory, while the remaining land boasts vineyards, orchards and meadows. Around 84% of the municipality’s land is privately owned.

According to the quality of soil and climatic conditions, this area is suitable for cultivating strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and cherries; corn and tobacco. It also offers ample opportunity for the development of cattle breeding, with 37.2% of the total agricultural land covered by meadows and pastures. Suva Planina has the largest number of sheep in Serbia and the majority of the mountain belongs to Gadžin Han municipality.

Significant reserves of mineral raw materials have been found on the territory of the municipality. These include calcite ores (99.7% purity and 98% whiteness) with established reserves of 1.6 million tonnes or 36 years of exploitation. There is also granite, with sufficient reserves for 30 years of exploitation.

The area is heavily forested, with woodland predominantly beech forests - covering 11,691 hectares (33.4% of the territory).

Municipal development potential will be realised through the creation of industrial zones in Gadžin Han. The local master plan envisages an area of 10 hectares for industrial zones on a site located only 18 kilometres from Nis and the E-75 and E-80 motorways.

The town and municipality of Golubac are located in eastern Serbia on the right bank of the River Danube. It covers an area of 368 square kilometres.

Golubac is 130 kilometres from Belgrade via the M25.1 regional road (Belgrade-Kladovo), which is the most important transport route in the municipality (the so-called Đerdapska highway). The River Danube is the main waterway in the area and the great river is at its widest in the Golubac region (five to six kilometres from bank to bank).

Golubac is located in the area where the Danube is the widest. In order for river tourism to develop further here, river banks and harbours require development. Plans are in place to construct a marina in Golubac that will be in line with relevant European standards.

Here one will find the largest national park in Serbia.

Agriculture and the processing industry represent the dominant economic branches in Golubac.

The municipality has assigned a site near the M.25.1 regional road to be used as an industrial zone.

Water, electricity and sewage systems are all nearby, while a fibre optic cable is currently being laid.

The local authorities recommend stone, wood, fruit and vegetable processing as the branches of most appeal to investors.

The biggest investor in the municipality to date is Rino Tuttobene from Belgium.

The municipality offers reduced land development and land utilisation fees, while the deadline for issuing relevant permits is two to three days.

GornJi miLanovac

Developed industrial centre

The municipality of Gornji milanovac is one of the most developed industrial centres in serbia The municipality of Gornji Milanovac is located in western Serbia. Covering part of southwest Šumadija and bordering the Gruž and Pomoravlje regions, Gornji Milanovac’s municipal area of 836 square kilometres includes the vast mountains Rudnik, Suvobora and Maljen.

The municipality has two urban settlements (Gornji Milanovac and Rudnik) and 61 rural settlements, with a total population of 47,641. The highest populated boroughs are Koštunica and Pranjani, while the smallest are Vraćevšnica and Gornji Milanovac. The municipality belongs to the Morava district.

Gornji Milanovac is passed by the national Ibarska highway, which connects Belgrade (122 kilometres away) to Čačak, Užice and Zlatibor - in Serbia - and with Montenegro’s Adriatic coast.

This strategic road also links Gornji Milanovac to famous nearby spas (Mataruška Spa, Vrnjacka Spa and Ribarska Spa), mountain ski centres (Goc, Kopaonik and Jastrebac), cultural and historic monuments (Stenica, Ziča, Ljubostina and Lazarica), as

well as the towns of Trstenik and Krusevac, which is linked to Corridor 10 highway Belgrade - Nis Skopje - Đevđelija – Thessaloniki- Athens.

The municipality of Gornji Milanovac is one of the most developed industrial centres in Serbia.

There are two developed and well-located industrial areas. The main companies in Gornji Milanovac are confectioner and soft drink producer Swisslion Takovo and cookware manufacturer Matalac.

contact saŠa ĐorĐeviĆ,

contact Dr neBoJŠa miJoviĆ,

contact DraŽimir marusiĆ,

president of the municipality miloša obilića bb, 18240 Gadžin han Tel: +381-18-860-112;fax: +381-18-541-143 email: info@gadzinhan.rs; website: www.gadzinhan.rs language spoken: english

municipal president, saša bogićević, head of the office of economic development cara lazara 15, 12223 Golubac Tel: +381(0)64/85-89-323; fax: +381 012/678-426 email: office@golubac.org.rs; website: www.golubac.rs

president of the municipality Takovska 2, 32300 Gornji milanovac Tel. +381 (0) 32 720 282; fax. +381 (0) 32 720 280 email: predsednik@gornjimilanovac.rs www.gornjimilanovac.org.rs

Serbian Potentials

The InvesTmenT GuIde

21

ivanJica

JaGoDina

five Day town of the Building permit future The most important foreign trade partners of the municipality are spain, syria and Italy

since 2004 Jagodina has become one of the leading serbian towns

The municipality of Ivanjica is situated in an area of southwest Serbia known as the StarovlaškoRaška Plateau. The municipality stretches across 1,090 square kilometres of arable and woodland, making it the sixth largest municipality in Serbia.

Ivanjica encompasses 48 towns and villages, 42 boroughs and 18 local communities, it is 224 kilometres from Belgrade.

The economy of Ivanjica municipality is typified by the processing industry, lumber processing, the production of textile products and production of raspberries and potatoes. Private property participates with 64% in the realisation of national income, while public and state properties participate with 27%.

The coverage by imports and exports is 92%.

The most important foreign trade partners of the municipality are Spain, Syria and Italy, followed by Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany.

The majority of imports are from Hungary, Austria, Italy and Czech Republic. 98.41% of Ivanjica municipality’s exports, and 94.8% of its imports, are related to the European Union and the former

The town of Jagodina is situated in Central Serbia, 136 kilometres from Belgrade and 100 kilometres north of Niš. The Corridor X runs straight through Jagodina, as does the electric double-track railway which connects Central to South Europe and further on to Asia. The population here stands at close to 83,000.

In addition to its cable factory, Jagodina is also known for being home to one of the oldest Balkan breweries, Jagodinska Pivara (The Jagodinska Brewery).

Yugoslav republics.

The Ivanjica industrial zone has been regulated by the General Spatial Plan and will be located between Senjak and Bukovica. All that remains to be resolved is the ownership rights of certain land plots.

An investor can obtain a building permit in five days, providing all relevant documentation has been submitted.

An industrial zone covering 150 hectares of land is currently being built, it’s plots will include full infrastructure. In addition to this, local authorities have provided a location for yet another industrial zone, stretching across 14.6 hectares.

Since 2004 Jagodina has become one of the leading Serbian towns in social, infrastructure, investment, tourism, cultural and sports development. In 2009 the Business Journalist Club declared Jagodina ‘The Town of the Future’. Jagodina has a wonderful zoo called ‘The Tiger’, which is the only zoo south of Belgrade, as well as a water park and a wax figure museum, which is the only one in Serbia. By creating these unique tourist attractions, Jagodina has become one of the leading tourist centres in Serbia. In March 2010 this year, the town was again awarded by the Business Journalist Club, with ‘The Crystal Prism’, for being ‘The Town of the Future’ in the area of tourism development. In 2009 over 200,000 tourists from Serbia and abroad visited the Jagodina water park.

KLaDovo

a Border municipality The municipality is connected to the danube in regards to transport and the economy

The municipality of Kladovo is located in the far northeast of Serbia. It occupies an area of around 630 square kilometres, and is one of the smaller municipalities in Serbia. It borders the municipalities of Negotin and Majdanpek, while the Danube represents its border with Romania and Europe. The municipality is connected to the Danube in regards to transport and the economy, with its sailing, fishing, touristic, hydro-energetic potential and other areas. Its position on the Danube, facing Romania and close to Bulgaria, both of them EU members, is a distinct advantage of the Kladovo municipality.

The economy of the municipality of Kladovo primarily consists of: industry, agriculture, tourism and catering, along with other economic branches.

The most important industrial entity in the area is the hydro-electrical power in Djerdap I, which is the largest water power plant in the country, and one of the largest in Europe and the world. Tourism is a branch of the economy which needs to be developed even further.

The municipality has several industrial zones,

which are well equipped, as well as plans for a new one. The Electrical Power Industry of Serbia and other domestic but also foreign (Dutch and Romanian) businesses have invested into these zones so far.

New investors are able to receive many benefits, especially for ecologically clean programs and employment on a large scale. Reductions are also planned for investors employing a small or larger numbers of employees.

contact raDomir ristiĆ,

contact DraGan marKoviĆ,

contact DimitriJe sinGuriLoviĆ,

president of the municipality milomir zorić, deputy to the municipal president venjamina marinkovića 1, 32250 Ivanjica Tel: +381 32 661 444; mob: +381 64 88 99 450 email: soivanjica@sezampro.yu; www.ivanjica.rs

mayor kralja petra 6, 35000 Jagodina Tel/fax: +381-35-221-220 email: sojagodina@gmail.com website: www.jagodina.org.rs language spoken: english

manager of the department for the economy and social activities, kralja aleksandra 35, 19320 kladovo, Tel. +381-19-801-450, fax +381-19-801-563 email: mitaplaninar@kladovonet.com languages spoken: all – expert translators available

22

The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

KniĆ

KnJaŽevac

KoceLJeva

ideal for organic food

potential for tourism

assistance and support

The municipality’s most abundant natural resources include arable land, raw minerals, water potential and favourable conditions

The entire area is exceptionally suitable for the development of agriculture, as well as rural, spa and mountain tourism

The municipal authorities guarantee the issuance of relevant permits and approvals in the shortest possible time

The municipality of Knić, located in the Šumadija district, covers 413 square kilometres and is also located along the Belgrade-Kraljevo-Skoplje railway corridor. It is linked to the E-75 motorway and the Ibarska regional road via the M-23 and M-23.1, as well as the R-212 and R-212a roads.

The municipality’s most abundant natural resources include arable land, raw minerals, water potential and favourable conditions for the development of tourism.

Investors are advised to invest in agricultural processing systems, that is the processing of animal and vegetable raw materials, dairy products, fruit and vegetable drying facilities, cheese production, meat, fruit and vegetable processing, bread making and confectionary production. Knić offers almost ideal conditions for the production of organic food, in a clean environment, as well as excellent potential for the development of rural, agro and eco tourism.

The municipality’s industrial zone stretches across 40 hectares of land and is complete with the required infrastructure. Land in the industrial zone is not owned by the municipality, and only 10% of the zone is currently occupied.

There is a seven-day deadline for processing a request for the issuance of the urban planning act, an excerpt from the urban planning document and registration of construction works, while a construction permit is issued over a period ranging from one month up to six months. Up to a month is required to obtain an operating licence.

The municipality of Knjaževac is located in Eastern Serbia, near the Bulgarian border. It stretches across 1,202 square kilometres and has 37,172 inhabitants. The most important economic branches here are the textile industry, food processing, footwear production, and timber and metal processing.

The entire area is exceptionally suitable for the development of agriculture, as well as rural, spa and mountain tourism.

The ‘Kasarna’ industrial zone is located in the town itself. A complex of military facilities stretches across 23.21 hectares and offers the ideal location for business facilities, residential buildings and sport halls. The company has its own fruit and vegetable processing facilities, as well as non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage production lines and a cold storage facility. The Rogaška Spa sports and rehabilitation centre is four kilometres from Knjaževac.

There is an Olympic size swimming pool with additional facilities that make use of thermal water.

There is a project for the construction of a tourist

centre on Stara Planina (Old Mountain) that envisages building tourist resorts covering an area of 400 hectares with the capacity of 30,000 beds. There is also a plan to build the Golema Reka ski slope, which would be situated on 150 hectares of ground with a 30-kilometre-long-cable car.

The Knjaževac municipality offers incentives to potential investors especially when it comes to fees and other costs related to construction land lease.

Koceljeva is a municipality located in the Mačva district of Serbia. The territory of the municipality covers an area of 25,727 hectares. The town of Koceljeva is 80 kilometres west of Belgrade and Belgrade airport via the M-21 regional road, 30 kilometres from the nearest port on the Sava River, and 30 kilometres from the EU - Istanbul and Budapest South Adriatic terminals.

The municipality’s main economic branches are ag-

riculture, food production and non-metal processing.

The municipality boasts an industrial zone that covers an area of close to 30 hectares. It is fully equipped with infrastructure, and offers a water and electricity supply, telephone land lines, a sewage system etc.

Investors opting to set up production facilities in Koceljeva will only be required to pay 20% of their utility expenses. Investors are offered additional incentives if they choose to invest in the municipality’s settlements.

The municipal authorities guarantee the issuance of relevant permits and approvals in the shortest possible time.

Koceljeva municipality has extremely favourable conditions for rural tourism development. First of all there is well preserved nature, a mild climate, clean air, unpolluted rivers, and rich flora and fauna.

Natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage are enriched with the hospitality of the local population, who receive each guest as a friend and offer them rich and healthy natural food.

contact BorisLav Busarac,

contact DraGan miLutinoviĆ,

contact veroLJuB matiĆ,

president of the municipality, snežana Đokić, assistant to the municipal president, 34 240 knić Tel: +381-34-511-999; fax: +381-34-510-113 email: snezana.bankovic@knic.rs language spoken: english

municipality of knjaževac development agency cara dušana 19, 19350 knjaževac Tel: +381 (0)19/731-256; fax: +381 (0) 19/731-256 e-mail: office@ark.rs; website: www.ark.rs language spoken: english

president of the municipality, branislav s. mićić, led assistant to the municipal president, nemanjina 74 15220 koceljeva, Telephone: +381-15-556-537 fax: +381-15-556-587; email: pomocnik@koceljeva.gov.rs website: www.koceljeva.gov.rs

Serbian Potentials

The InvesTmenT GuIde

23

KosJeriĆ

KraGuJevac

renewable sources

Best host city kragujevac is the largest city in the district of sumadija and the fourth largest city in the republic of serbia

agricultural production is extensive and widespread in the municipality

The town and municipality of Kosjerić is in a mountainous area in the Zlatibor district of western Serbia. The municipal area covers 358 square kilometres, of which agricultural land covers 19,682 hectares.

The main Belgrade-Bar railway passes through Kosjerić and links the local industrial railway to the cement factory Kosjerić.

As well as the main road linking Novi SadŠabac-Valjevo-Kosjerić-Požega-Užice-PrijepoljeBijelo Polje and further south, Kosjerić is connect-

ed to the Ibarska Magistrala (Celije), linking it to Lajkovac, Valjevo, Pozega and Užice.

Kosjerić features predominantly private and shareholder firms, which are mainly concentrated in the service sector, metal construction and the chemicals industry.

Agricultural production is extensive and widespread in the municipality. There is organised production of raspberries (around 4,000 tonnes per year) and plums. The municipality is currently seeking opportunities to organise cultivation/farming of snails, strawberries, mushrooms and fish.

Tourism in Kosjerić is mainly based on rural tourism activities, while the number of guest beds is growing year on year in line with the increasing number of guests.

The local government believes that rural development in Kosjerić should be in organic production, as great opportunities exist for the production of organic food namely suitable land, well preserved nature and the availability of energy from renewable sources.

Kragujevac is the largest city in the district of Sumadija and the fourth largest city in the Republic of Serbia. The total population is estimated at 180,252. The city comprises 57 settlements with 76 local communities. There is land with excellent traffic infrastructure and a traffic corridor that provides fast and safe connections with surrounding areas, while the Kragujevac-Lapovo highway will link the city to Corridor 10.

The city of Kragujevac has become a mecca for investors. It is a city with a favourable business climate and accelerated local economic development which has been confirmed by the National Alliance for local economic development (NALED) certificate.

The Italian company Fiat signed a contract with the Republic of Serbia for joint investment in the Kragujevac company Zastava Automobiles to create new jobs and stimulate a number of other sectors in the city.

In addition, Plaza Centres has begun construction works on a contemporary multi-functional business and shopping centre in the Old Worker’s Colony quarter. The city is one of the biggest build-

ing areas in Serbia, and companies such as Mercator, Metro, Tus, Supernova, Nelt, and Forma Ideale are making investments here.

The city has provided more than 70 locations for manufacturing, and service activities for small and medium enterprises, in the working areas Petrovac, Skaldište and Denino hill.

Kragujevac has been once again proclaimed the “city of the future” and the best host city in Serbia.

KraLJevo

Big investment potential a favourable geo-strategic position at the location where important road and railroad tracks intersect

Kraljevo is territorially the biggest local selfgovernment in Serbia, occupying an area of 1530 square kilometres. It has a favourable geo-strategic position at the location where important road and railroad tracks intersect. It represents an economic, trade and industrial centre in south-western Serbia. A rich cultural and historical heritage and natural resources represent an important tourism potential. This city has a tradition in the

machine and mechanical industry. The most important branches of industry are: machinery, metal, food and timber.

Brownfield location: Medijapan business production zone has a 6000 square metre production hall on the site. The total area of accompanying land parcels is around six hectares. This location has the necessary communal infrastructure.

Greenfield location: ‘Seovac’ industrial zone occupies an area of 153.29 hectares. The military airport Ladjevci is located around eight kilometres from the zone. The zone has the necessary communal infrastructure. The city of Kraljevo owns a two hectare lot in this zone, which can be offered to potential investors.

There is an industrial zone ‘Stari Aerodrom’ (Old Airport) which covers 9.58 hectares. This zone is located in the construction area and is fully equipped with communal infrastructure (water supply system, sewerage, industrial water, electrical power, gas, industrial railroad). The sports airport which can be used for light air traffic is located close to the zone.

contact DraGan vuJaDinoviĆ,

contact veroLJuB stevanoviĆ, mayor

contact LJuBiŠa JovaŠeviĆ, mayor

municipal president, olge Grbić 10, 31260 kosjerić, c/o danijela Ilić, Tel: +381-31-783-582; email: danijelaailic@yahoo.com website: www.kosjeric-online.com languages spoken: serbian and english

Goran petrović, head of the city Investment and development directorate, Trg slobode 3, office no. 203, 34000, kragujevac, Tel: + 381-34-306-127; fax: + 381-34-306-127; email: g.petrovic@investinkragujevac.com, website: www.investinkragujevac.com

Trg Jovana sarića number 1, kraljevo 36000 Tel: +381-36-306-031; fax: +381-36-306-098; email: gradonacelnik@kraljevo.org website: www.kraljevo.org languages spoken: english and serbian

24

The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

KrupanJ

KruŠevac

KurŠumLiJa

two Business Zones

successful privatisation

favourable fruit production

a new general urban planning document will enable potential investors to obtain required permits quickly and efficiently

local companies that have been successfully privatised

The geographic position of the municipality gives it a general transit character

Krupanj is a town and municipality located in the Mačva district of Serbia. The municipality of Krupanj covers an area of 342 square kilometres along the left bank of the River Drina in western Serbia, and encompasses 23 villages. The leading economic branches in Krupanj are agriculture, wood processing and tourism. As the municipality is lacking in sufficient tourism facilities, potential investors are advised to consider investing in the construction of such facilities.

The municipality is the owner of two business zones ideal for commercial activities. Location 1 and Location 2 both have appropriate infrastructure and are leasable for a period of 99 years, with the construction land development fee included in the lease. The zones can be divided into several smaller portions. Both locations are near the town centre.

A new general urban planning document will enable potential investors to obtain required permits quickly and efficiently. The municipality recommends that investors opt for raw material and agricultural produce processing facilities, which the mu-

The city of Kruševac is situated in central Serbia, just 23 kilometres from the pan-European Corridor 10 (Belgrade-Niš motorway). Kruševac covers an area of 854 square kilometres.

The nearest international airport is 80 kilometres away in Niš, while the Port of Belgrade is 200 kilometres away. The city lies on two rivers: the Western Morava and the Rasina. A reservoir was built 20 kilometres from Kruševac on the River Rasina and is home to the Majdevo water factory.

In terms of infrastructure, 85% of the munic-

nicipality has in abundance, as well as using existing production facilities.

All documentation needed to implement an investment project can be obtained in just a few days from the submission of a request from the relevant departments in the municipality.

Krupanj has a clean and undisturbed natural environment, and its richness in historical monuments offers significant touristic potential.

contact savo DoriĆ, municipality president marsala Tita 2, 15314, krupanj Tel: +381 (0)15/681-475 ext. 118 & 126 fax: +381 (0)15/681-10 email: krupanjso1@nadlanu.com; website: www.krupanj.org.rs languages spoken: english and others

ipality’s territory is serviced by water supply and sewage systems. There is also the Pojate-Kruševac gas pipeline, a well developed road and rail transport infrastructure, the Rosulje airport, mobile and fixed-line telephony networks and internet connections.

Machine processing, chemical/textile industries and the service sector dominate in Kruševac. Local companies that have been successfully privatised include Henkel-Merima and Trayal Corporation, while those currently undergoing privatisation include IMK ‘14. Oktobar’ and chemical company Župa.

The municipality has vast tourist potential.

Historical sites include the Lazarica church, monasteries Naupare, Đunis, Veluće and others. There are several spas, including the Vrnjačka and Ribarska spas and other health and tourism facilities.

Moreover, the forested Jastrebica mountain is just 20 kilometres away and Kopaonik mountain’s major ski centre and winter sports resort is just 90 kilometres away.

Kuršumlija is located in southern Serbia, occupying an area of 952 square kilometres, and belongs to the administrative district of Toplica. The geographic position of the municipality gives it a general transit character, as the regional road of strategic importance linking Niš to Priština to Peć goes by here.

Kuršumlija’s territory offers attractive and wellpreserved nature. This is a hilly and mountainous area with dense forests stocked with forest-fruits, traversed by wild, clean rivers and dotted with numerous spas and springs with clean drinking water.

The most important tourism potential here is the three spas of Prolom, Kuršumlijska and Lukovska, which boast mineral waters of exceptional quality, favourable climatic conditions and a well preserved environment. The tourism offerings are completed by the famous Đavolja Varoš, a unique natural phenomenon, the Kopaonik mountain range, a mine, and the mountains of Radan, Sokolović and Pilatovice, as well as diverse hunting opportunities.

The municipality consists of 37,500 hectares of arable land, which offers ample opportunity for the development of agriculture. Furthermore, the municipality offers extremely favourable conditions for fruit growing, especially that of apple and plum. The existence of large areas of meadows and pastures offers the potential of developing livestock breeding operations, while the exploitation of forest fruits is also well developed.

contact Desimir pavLoviĆ, mayor of kruševac, miloš Jovanović, head of the kruševac city administration; Gazimestanska bb 37000 kruševac; Tel/fax: +381-37-421-567 email: protokol@krusevac.org.rs; website: www.krusevac.org.rs language: english Serbian Potentials

The InvesTmenT GuIde

contact Zoran vuČKoviĆ, municipal president, proleterskih brigade bb, 18430 kuršumlija; Tel. +381-27-381-383 fax. +381-27-381-785; email: president@kursumlija.org; website: www.kursumlija.org language spoken english 25

KuČevo

LaJKovac

Lapovo

agricultural production

cargo transport municipality of opportunities potential

kučevo consists of flatlands, undulating hills and a mountainous section

The municipality provides incentives for building permits, that is, if an investor wants to set up an sme

The municipality of Kučevo is located in the south-east of the Braničevo district and covers an area of 721 square kilometres. It is traversed by two major transport routes: the Belgrade-PožarevacMajdanpek-Zaječar road and the BelgradePožarevac-Majdanpek-Prahovo railway, which ends at the Port of Prahovo on the Danube.

Territorially, Kučevo consists of flatlands, undulating hills and a mountainous section. The flatlands represent an ancient floodplain around the Pek River, while the mountainous area is represented by the slopes of Homolje Mountain. Half of the territory - 35,320 hectares – is covered by arable, agricultural land, while the other half is largely forested.

Natural resources (forests, stone and quartz quarries) have determined the structure of the economy in the municipality Kučevo. The lowland slopes, of Mount Homolje, are rich in wildlife which have been traditionally hunted for centuries, and nowadays, represent a very important factor for the development of the municipality.

Agricultural production – including crop farm-

Lajkovac is a small town and municipality located in western Serbia, close to the town of Lazarevac. It is located in the Kolubara River valley and is near the Ibar motorway, the main route from Serbia to Montenegro. The municipality of Lajkovac covers an area of 186 square kilometres.

It is 69 kilometres from Belgrade and 27 kilometres from Valjevo.

Lajkovac’s industrial zone stretches over 104.5 hectares and is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Advantages of

ing, sheep rearing and cattle herding – is the most important economic activity, while wood processing, lime and stone quarrying and the tourism sector are also important.

The local economic structure includes 50 companies and 404 retail outlets. Of all the companies the majority deal in trade (54%), followed by the processing industry (22%) and agriculture and forestry (10%).

the business and commercial zone of Lajkovac include: its proximity to important routes and the opportunities for cargo transport (BelgradeBar Railway, Ibar motorway); it is only 70 kilometres to Belgrade on the Niš Motorway via Aranđelovac; the Adriatic motorway route which runs along four kilometres of the zone; closeness to the inland navigation routes of the Danube in Belgrade and the Sava in Šabac; closeness to other large towns, business and commercial centres such as Čačak, Aranðelovac, Obrenovac, Ub, Valjevo; and the fact that land prices are lower than in the area of Belgrade and nearby municipalities. Land here is privately-owned and partially equipped with infrastructure. The municipality will provide the required permits and utility services. The municipality provides incentives for building permits, that is, if an investor wants to set up an SME, the land utilisation fee can be reduced by over 50%, depending on the number of workers that will be hired.

lapovo municipality is set to gain a stable, secure economy that will make it a significant part of serbia and europe Lapovo is a small town and municipality in central Serbia’s Šumadija district, covering an area of just 55 square kilometres. The municipality of Lapovo contains only two settlements: the Town of Lapovo (Varoš Lapovo) and the village of Lapovo, also called Gornja Stanica (Upper Station).

Lapovo is one of the most promising towns in the surrounding area, thanks to its great geographical location. It is situated at the intersection of the Belgrade-Niš motorway and the main regional railway Belgrade-Skopje-Thessalonica-Athens. The municipality has well developed trade sectors, construction, graphics and chemical industries.

With an advanced road network, development of communal services and protected primary health care, coupled with the municipality’s natural conditions for further development and the new economic environment being created, Lapovo municipality is set to gain a stable, secure economy that will make it a significant part of Serbia and Europe.

The Lapovo free zone has been established on

a site between the international highway E-75 and the international rail line tracks and covers an area of approximately 80 hectares, with the possibility of further enlargement. There are two halls of 250 square metres and one hall of 1000 square metres, while electricity and gas facilities are also nearby.

The municipality of Lapovo offers substantial benefits to companies hiring significant numbers of workers.

contact Zoran miLeKiĆ,

contact DuŠan ŽivanoviĆ, municipal

contact DraGan ZLatKoviĆ,

president of the municipality, svetog save 76, 12240 kučevo; Tel: +381-12-852-178 fax: +381-12-852-684; email: sokucevo@kucevo.rs, website: www.kucevo.rs; languages spoken: serbian and english

president; omladinski Trg 1, 14224 lajkovac Tel: +381(0)14/73-109; 014/71-108 fax: +381(0)14/73-332; email: kabinet@lajkovac.org.rs website: www.lajkovac.org.rs languages spoken: serbian, english and German

president of the municipality njegoševa 18, 34220 lapovo Tel: +381 (0) 34 853 516; fax: +381 (0) 34 853 105 email: office@lapovo.org;www.lapovo.org languages spoken: serbian and english

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The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

Green Zone

LesKovac

leskovac, with its clean and unpolluted land, is a good place for potential investors interested in developing food production and processing

T

he Town of Leskovac stretches across 1,025 square kilometers and is one of the biggest local self-governments on the Serbian territory. The city is also an important transit hub since it is situated on Corridor X (BelgradeSkopje motorway).

An international route, Belgrade-Athens, runs through Leskovac. With five rivers running through it several municipalities in South Serbia gravitate towards the town which is situated in the middle of Leskovac Valley.

That is a rare geographic phenomenon. Agriculture is the development foundation for Leskovac.

es, agricultural processing, as well as vegetable, berry and fruits of the forest processing.

The plan for the zone is to form a sort of agricultural commodities exchange.

IncentIves For Investors Local administration serves the economy, working on the turnkey principle. Investors are given assistance from the very beginning to the end. Depending on the size of an investment, and the number of new jobs that are going to be created, investors can be fully or partially exempt from paying the land lease fee, land development fee and other the municipal authorities are working utility fees. Our parteconomY on developing and implementing ners, like German Apart from agrenewable energy projects with an Falke, can testify to riculture, there are the dedication of pharmaceutical, active support to organic farming the local administrafood, wood and textion to each individual investile processing industries tor. Leskovac also possesses here. Leskovac is dedicata favourable business envied to fulfilling a vision for ronment certificate.

South Serbia to become a region without, so-called, dirty PrIvate – PubLIc technologies. The municiPartnershIP pal authorities are working Leskovac is the first town on developing and implein Serbia to have established menting renewable energy a private-public partnership projects with active support with Austria-based company Porr Werner and for organic farming. The town is surrounded with Weber and started to regionally manage the disenvironmentally clean and well-preserved mounposal of solid utility waste by building a landfill in tains which are rich in raw materials. line with the highest standards. Also, the municLeskovac, with its clean and unpolluted land, ipality has built the Barje water system thus reis a good place for potential investors interested solving the water supply problem in the neighin developing food production and processing. bouring areas too.

Leskovac has 100 hectares of land that will This year, Leskovac began to build a waste waget the needed utility infrastructure this year. The ter filtering facility with the financial assistance from land is situated on an oustanding location, in the the EU. The municipality’s strategic aim is to prenorth section of the fertile Leskovac Valley, in serve the environment and create conditions for loclose proximity to the work zone called the Green cal products to bear the ‘Healthy Food’ label. ■ North Zone. This work zone is suitable for storagSerbian Potentials

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sLoBoDan KociĆ president the of municipality of leskovac

“agriculture is the dominant economic branch”

contact: miLoraD mLaDenoviĆ pana Đukića 9-11 16000 leskovac Tel: 016/200-804 fax: 016/ 252-522 e-mail: milorad.mladenovic@gradleskovac.org website: www.gradleskovac.org foreign languages spoken by the local administration: english

LeBane

LJiG

LJuBoviJa

orchard plantations

Good transport tobacco and access raspberries

The climate and soil in the municipality of lebane provide ideal conditions for growing and storing

The municipality has a large number of companies operating in the field of industrial production

The municipality of Lebane is located in the south-west of Central Serbia, in the Jablanica River basin. The municipality stretches over 337 square kilometres and has 25,000 inhabitants.

The pan-European Corridor 10 motorway is just 20 kilometres south-west of Lebane, while the important city of Niš is only 65 kilometres away.

Total agricultural land in the territory of Lebane is 18,517 hectares - forests occupy 7,987 hectares. The climate and soil in the municipality of Lebane provide ideal conditions for

Ljig is a town and municipality in central Serbia’s Kolubara district. It covers an area of 279 square kilometres and is surrounded by the mountains of Rajac and Rudnik.

Ljig has an excellent geographical position and good transport access. The municipality is linked via the Ibarska Highway, to Belgrade (80 km) and Čačak (70 km); and via a regional road to Valjevo (38 km). Locally, Rajac Mountain is only 10 km away and Banja Vrujci is just nine kilometres away.

Ljig has a very favourable position for agriculture. The municipality has over three hundred registered orchards, 80% of which are plum plantations.

The municipality has a large number of companies operating in the field of industrial production, with building materials production, metal processing, the food industry and tourism represented.

Sites of specific potential include thermal mineral springs with substantial reserves as deep as 850 metres.

The municipality has developed profitable projects and devised developmental documents for the accelerated procedure of constructing tour-

growing and storing all kinds of domestic animals and game. Fruit production in the municipality covers 1,500 hectares, of which in the individual sector is 1,350 hectares, 150 hectares is made up of fruit production orchard of apples, pears and cherries.

The Lebane industrial zone, which is located at the very heart of the town, covers an area of 12 hectares and includes constructed facilities covering 17,662 square metres. The zone boasts an adequate road and utility infrastructure, as well as its own power substation.

The following comparative advantages are offered to potential investors: cheap workforce, low land development and land utilization fees, and high quality agricultural produce.

Permits can be obtained within legal deadlines and in line with the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction. The biggest investor in the municipality is Por Werner & Weber, which handles the removal and depositing of utility waste from the municipality’s territory.

ist facilities: the spatial plan of the municipality of Ljig led to the adoption of the regulatory plan for Ljig Spa and Rajac Mountain, as well as the creation of an industrial zone on 175 hectares of land.

Moreover, local Ljig authorities are set to commence work on repairing the municipality’s section of the main Belgrade-Užice-Adriatic coast road, which will significantly improve the area’s investment potential.

agriculture remains the most important economic activity in the municipality The municipality of Ljubovija is located in western Serbia on the right bank of the River Drina.

Ljubovija belongs to the Mačva district. The municipality is small, covering just 356 square kilometres. The municipality has a favourable geographical position.

Agriculture remains the most important economic activity in the municipality, providing the greatest contribution to the average income among all economic activities. Though the percentage of

the population engaged in agricultural activities is constantly decreasing, it remains the most prevalent. Moreover, agricultural yields are increasing thanks to the introduction of new varieties, modern mechanisation and technology to vegetable farming and fruit growing operations. Almost all households are currently involved in growing raspberries, while there is the same level of popularity and success in tobacco growing.

The municipal territory includes land that the local authorities are ready to offer potential investors. The industrial zone, which already houses a number of companies, offers potential for the realisation of numerous projects and the municipality is seeking serious investors.

The industrial zone is located along the main M-19 road and the border with neighbouring Republika Srpska. The aforementioned area of the industrial zone includes available warehousing space, halls and office space, as well as some workforce capacities in a number of companies and agricultural co-operatives.

contact Dr miĆa stamatoviĆ,

contact mirosLav maKsimoviĆ,

contact miLovan KovaČeviĆ,

president of the municipality, nenad Jovanović, assistant to the municipal president for economic development; cara dušana 116; 16230 lebane Tel: +381(0)64/852-98-24; fax: +381(0)16/843-083 email: kabinet@lebane.org.rs; website: www.lebane.org.rs

municipal president, luke spasojevića 7, 14240 ljig; Tel: +381 014 85 030 fax: +381 014 85 044; email:drmaksimovic@ptt.yu website: www.ljig.rs; language spoken: english

municipal president vojvode mišića 48, 15320 ljubovija Tel: + 381 (0) 15 661 960; fax: +381 (0) 15 662 870 Tel/fax: +381 (0) 15 661 411; www.ljubovija.org language spoken: english

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LoZnica

industry and tourism loznica’s geographic position is such that there are also many beautiful tourist resorts The municipality of Lonica covers 612 square kilometres and has 86,413 inhabitants. Loznica has a well developed transport infrastructure, Corridor X, the M-19 and the E-70 motorway are all close by and is 110 kilometres away from Belgrade Airport.

The most important industrial branches here include textiles, food processing, metal processing, paper processing, pharmaceuticals, and construction. Loznica’s geographic position is such that, in addition to fully equipped industrial zones which are excellent investment locations, there are also many beautiful tourist resorts. For this reason, local authorities are keen not only to develop industry, but also tourism. The industrial zone has relevant infrastructure, the town’s infrastructure is well developed and there is a good qualified workforce which all help make the town a business-friendly environment.

The Šepak industrial zone is located on the state border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The zone covers 82.66 hectares of land with 30 hectares having full transport, water and sewage infrastructure, including electricity and gas supply,

phone lines and internet connections. The state provides relevant incentives based on an act adopted by the Serbian government which stipulates disposing of construction land at prices lower than the market ones.

The business and residential zone, Lagator covers an area of 20 hectares. The state provides incentives, again based on the relevant act adopted by the Serbian government.

contact LJiLJana niKoLiĆ, head of the local economic development office, karađorđeva 2, 15300 loznica Tel: +381-15-879-293; fax: +381-15-882-921 e-mail: ljnikolic@loznica.rs; website: www.loznica.rs language spoken: english

LuČani

maJDanpeK

raspberries, plums and apples The municipality is well-known for its fruit production The municipality and town of Lučani is situated in western Serbia, in the Dragačevo region within the Moravica district of Serbia. The municipality stretches across 454 square kilometres and can be reached from a number of directions - Čačak from Kraljevo, Požega and Ivanjica. The roads and railroads are functional and they connect this part of Serbia with Belgrade and Montenegro. The municipality currently has around 25,000 inhabitants, with almost half of the workforce active in agriculture. A

quarter of the available workforce works in industry, while a quarter is employed in the remaining economic branches.

The municipality is well-known for its fruit production including raspberries, plums, apples, and potatoes. Lučani is also famous for its trumpet festival Sabor Trubača (The Trumpeters’ Assembly), which could be an interesting investment opportunity in itself.

The dominant branches in the municipality are agriculture, the processing industry, the chemical industry and several smaller industries. The municipality’s workforce has a diverse educational background and the municipality has a large industrial zone with complete infrastructure.

Municipal authorities provide incentives depending on the number of workers that an investor hires. Plans are also in place to construct an industrial park here and it is worth mentioning that the municipal authorities are issuing permits to potential investors in the shortest time possible.

Well-trained Workforce majdanpek is a town and municipality in the bor district of serbia Majdanpek is a town and municipality in the Bor district of Serbia. Majdanpek’s main advantages are its natural resources, geographical position and a cheap, well-trained workforce. The municipality covers an area of 932 square kilometres. The most important transport routes here are the M-24 and M-25.1 regional roads, the R-104, R-104A and R-106 roads.

A 54-kilometre-long section of the River Danube runs through the northern part of the municipality, while the E-75 motorway is 131 kilometres away via Požarevac and 170 kilometres away via Paraćin.

Mining is a developed industry here and other industries also present include copper processing, wood processing, agriculture, tourism and other services. Entrepreneurship is still in its developmental phase and the service sector prevails over production.

Majdanpek’s industrial zone currently covers an area of 80 hectares, though the municipal authorities plan to extend it to include an additional 22.5 hectares.

Some 15% of the zone’s land is privately owned, while 85% is state-owned and the zone has partial

infrastructure. Moreover, some 30 to 100 hectares of the zone are suitable for light processing industries, warehousing, services and other tertiary economic activities.

Deadlines for issuing required permits are as follow: act on spatial planning – up to 30 days; environmental impact evaluation – up to six months; building permit and registration of construction works – up to eight days.

contact sLoBoDan JaLoviĆ, president of the municipality, mr miloš velanac, assistant to the municipal president; Ja 5, 32240 lučani Tel: +381(0)32/817-151; fax: +381(0)32/817-151 email: led.solucani@sezampro.rs; website: www.lucani.rs languages spoken: serbian, english, German, russian and french Serbian Potentials

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contact DraGan popoviĆ, president of the municipality, svetog save bb, 19250 majdanpek Tel: +381(0)30/581-240 fax: +381(0)30/581-580 email: predsednistvo@opstinamajdanpek.rs website: www.majdanpek.rs 29

maLi ZvorniK

maLo crniĆe

meDveĐa

Good energy potential

healthy holidays

attractive exemptions

The area boasts abundant natural resources, a sufficient workforce, developed wood and metal processing industries and raw minerals

The greatest natural resources of this municipality are fertile land, water resources and areas of unspoilt nature

support of investors in the municipality of medveđa is evident in the effective local administration

The municipality of Mali Zvornik is situated in central Podrinje, in western Serbia. The municipality stretches across 184 square kilometres.

Mali Zvornik has a relatively favourable transport and strategic position; it stretches along the main road between Belgrade and Bjelovar, which is the main transportation route in Western Serbia. The municipality also has an important transit and border position, linked as it is to neighbouring Republika Srpska (Bosnia) via three bridges – rail, road and pedestrian. The municipality’s good energy potential is offered by the River Drina and hydro-electric capacities (the Zvornik hydro-electric power plant and mini reservoir on the River Radaljska).

The area boasts abundant natural resources, a sufficient workforce, developed wood and metal processing industries and raw minerals.

Development of the tourism sector is supported by Mali Zvornik’s beautifully preserved nature, Drinsko Lake, Radaljska Spa, its rich historic and cul-

tural heritage, a distinctive local cultural identity, good quality agricultural produce and food, quality mineral springs and potential for the development of health and spa tourism at Radaljska Spa. The municipality’s economy is based on small scale industrial capacities and the utilisation of local natural resources. Most of the working population is employed in industry and mining (83.8%), while the rest is engaged in non-production sectors.

Malo Crniće municipality is among the smaller municipalities in Serbia and belongs to the Branicevo district. It covers an area of 279 square kilometres and has 18,610 inhabitants residing in the municipality’s 19 settlements.

Malo Crniće includes a wide, fertile valley banking the main flow of the river Mlava, which widens through the valley. The valley entrance is surrounded by low hills, while at its end tower the Homolje mountains.

Local authorities have adopted a decision to develop the spatial plan of the municipality of Malo Crniće. An integral part of this decision relates to the programme to develop the spatial plan in accordance with the law on planning and construction. Moreover, a decision has been made to adopt local strategies for the sustainable development of Malo Crniće for the period between 2010 and 2013. The final draft strategy was developed in conjunction with a local partnership team, the coordinator of working groups, working groups and regional development experts, along with council leaders and the municipal coordinator. This document presents the needs of the municipality and its inhabitants in the coming years.

Malo Crniće also has potential for the development of tourism based on nature trips, short breaks and health holidays (rural, ethnic, ecological, recreational and hunting).

Medveđa municipality is located in southern Serbia’s Jablanički county with an area of 524 square kilometres.

The municipality boasts economic zones with industrial facilities, which are fully equipped in terms of infrastructure.

The site of the Banja Sijarinska spa resort has been earmarked as the location for the construction of factories - one for the production of mineral water and one for liquid carbon dioxide gas. The site already has a water supply and energy network.

Support of investors in the municipality of Medveđa is evident in the effective local administration, which ensures that investors can obtain construction permits within 60 days. Taxes in Medveđa are the same as in other parts of Serbia. However, plans envisage a 10-year tax exemption for investments in excess of €7.5 million that create 100 new jobs, as well as exemption from excise duties on equipment and raw materials.

Depending on the type of operation the investor intends to set up and whether it is a geenfield or brownfield investment, the deadline for obtaining

necessary permits ranges from 15 to 30 days, MB Farmakom Šabac, the new owner of the Lece mine in Medveđa, has commenced operations. This was a brownfield investment worth nine million euros and the new owners intend to employ 200 new workers in the first phase.

Russian investor, Adriatic Stroinvest, has begun construction of a luxury five-star hotel at Sijarinska Banja.

This greenfield investment is worth €4.5 million.

contact BranKo raDiĆ, head of the

contact Dr esiDoL periĆ, municipal

contact sLoBoDan DraŠKoviĆ, municipal

department of the municipal economy kralja petra I 38, 15318 mali zvornik Tel: +381(0)15/471-859; fax: +381(0)15/471-885 email: opstmzv@ptt.rs; website: www.malizvornik.org languages spoken: serbian and english

president, marsala Tita 80, 12311 malo crniće Tel: +381 (0) 12 280 009 fax: +381 (0) 12 280 006 email: predsednik@opstinamalocrnice.org website: www.opstinamalocrnice.org

president, Jablanička 48, 16240 medveđa Tel: +381 (0) 16 891 197 fax: +381 (0) 16 891 106; e-mail: somedvedja@yahoo.com; www.medvedja.org.rs languages spoken: serbian, english, french, russian and German

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sour cherry of oblačina

meroŠina

The most famous of merošina’s trade marks is not a fruit sort, but an ecotype that has been developed and adapted to ecological conditions

T

he Municipality of Merošina is located in Central Serbia, in Niš County. It covers an area of 193 square kilometres and, according to the 2002 census, has 14,812 residents who live in 27 towns and villages. This territorially is one of the smallest Serbian municipalities with 130 residents per square kilometre.

The Niš-Prokuplje main road runs through the centre of the municipality and this road serves as a link between the municipality and the Belgrade-Niš motorway, i.e. it connects south-east and east Serbia with Kosovo and Metohija.

Merošina, which lies on the Niš-Prokuplje road, 17 km from both towns.

SMEs and is mostly financially self-sufficient.

Most of the companies here use very expensive bank loans and rarely get loans from state funds.

economY Economic development of the municipality of Merošina is based on agriculture, industry and tourism.

Due to lack of investments, local companies had to write off 70% of their assets and over 85% of their equipment. With the current equipment, most of them are not capable of reaching the price or quality that would be competitive on the domestic or foreign markets.

The Municipality of Merošina has very few

InDustrIJsKa Zona The following companies operate in the municipality – Voćar (with a cold storage facility), Merkop, Milsa, Nikom, Wounder, Deni Pet, Eksol, Nišprodukt, Jugoterm, Messer, Radijatori, Centropak, Austotherm and Goeks.

The General Spatial Plan does envisage an industrial zone here which will have partial infrastructure, i.e. roads, electricity and water.

If a company has all required documents, it can obtain the needed permits in three working days. ■

aGrIcuLture The most valuable natural potential that the municipality has is farmland which offers a wide range of production opportunities.

According to the State Statistical Office, the municipality has 14,686 hectares of used farmland (agricultural companies, cooperatives and family farms). 14,088 hectares of land (95.45%) are owned by family-run farms.

When it comes to fruit growing, the municipality is know for its sour cherry of Oblačin, with a growaDvantaGes the most valuable natural Favourable geographpotential that the municipality ing production of plum (Stanley sort), strawberic position, close proximhas is farmland ries, blackberries and raspity to cities (which are alberries, as well as water so potential markets) – mellon.

Niš is 16 km away, Skopje The sour cherry of 220 km, Priština 120 km and Oblačina is not a sort, but an Sofia 160 km, connected to ecotype that has been develthe Corridor X, HACCP certioped and adapted to ecologfied agricultural production, ical conditions in a designatdrafted technical documeed geographic area. nation for large-scale infraCherry orchards covstructural projects, suitable er 2,000 hectares of land in for the development of huntMerošina. ing tourism.

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sLoBoDan toDoroviĆ president of the municipality of merošina

“our most valuable natural potential is farmland”

contact: suZana iLiĆ cara lazara 17 18252 merošina Tel: 018/4892-034 fax: 018/4892-035 mobile phone: 062/488-463 e-mail: suzana.ilic@live.com website: ww.merosina.org.rs

mionica

neGotin

invest in nature a fantastic The municipality has beautifully Location preserved nature, which offers

The national investment plan has granted financial assistance

good potential for the development of tourism The municipality of Mionica is 80 kilometres south of Belgrade in western Serbia. It covers an area of 329 square kilometres and has a population of 16,785. Over 60% of the municipality’s population is engaged in agriculture.

There are several regional roads in close proximity to the municipality, including the important Ibarska highway, which is just 20 kilometres from Mionica. There is also the Belgrade-Bar railway and a small airport seven kilometres away in Divci.

The municipality has beautifully preserved na-

ture, which offers good potential for the development of tourism, as well as the development of organic food production.

Tourism in the municipality of Mionica is varied. Mionica is widely known for its well-developed tourist facilities. In recent times the development of rural tourism has become more popular and several ethnic centres designed to accommodate tourists have been established.

There are several construction projects going on in nearby Vrujci, where the water has healing powers and is beneficial to the treatment of rheumatism, nervous tension and high blood pressure.

There are also thermal springs in Lepenica (two kilometres from Mionica) and a sports and recreational centre is currently being built there.

Mionica doesn’t have an industrial zone, but municipal authorities are efficient in issuing relevant permits. This procedure usually takes up to 15 days.

The biggest investors to date are Voda-voda, MB Consulting, Delta and others.

The municipality of Negotin is in the Negotinski district and covers an area of 1,089 square kilometres beside the tri-state border between Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.

Small enterprises account for a significant share of the economic activity in the municipality, while there are around 1,000 private entrepreneurs and over 200 companies.

The municipality’s greatest potential lies in the River Danube with its favourable geographical position make it suitable for wind farms and agriculture.

The Negotin municipality has an industrial zone that covers an area of 46.5 hectares and is intended for production activities, storage facilities, warehouses and other commercial properties. A section of the zone covering 29.5 hectares has constructed roads, running water and an electrical supply, while plans for the remaining 17 hectares envisage the construction of a sewage system and continuation of the existing water system, electricity grid with public lighting, roads and telephone lines. The national investment plan has granted financial assistance to bring to frui-

tion the plans for the industrial zone.

The advantages of the industrial zone lie primarily in its vicinity to main roads, the local railway station and the Prahovo Harbour on the Danube (part of pan-European Corridor 7). The industrial zone is situated 136 km from Corridor 10 and 150 km from the Niš Airport.

The biggest investor in the municipality is Neochimiki L.V. Lavrentiadis S.A.

niŠKa BanJa

Great tourism This spa town boasts a thermo mineral spring with natural mineral water and mineral-rich mud

Niška Banja is located 10km southeast of Niš, near the confluence of the rivers Nišava and South Morava. It has a temperate-continental climate and covers an area of 145 square kilometres..

Niška Banja’s transport infrastructure includes well developed road, rail and bus lines. Rail and road routes are part of the main Balkan routes Belgrade-Niš-Sofia-Istanbul and Belgrade-NišSkopje-Thessalonica-Athens. Niška Banja is 12 kilometres from Niš’s Constantine the Great airport.

This spa town boasts a thermo mineral spring with natural mineral water and mineral-rich mud.

The local mineral water belongs to the group of

ground-alkali homoeothermic waters (36-38°C), slightly mineralised and with a capacity of 56 litres per second.

The spa’s clinical centre is located in an area of green forests stretching over an area of more than 70 hectares.

The most significant potential and the greatest opportunities for investments are in health tourism, sport tourism, congress tourism, hotels and catering.

Plans have been devised to construct an nfrastructure for tourism development. So far, the municipality has co-operated with the European Agency for Reconstruction, USAID and the Government of Denmark.

Potential locations for investment include the sports recreation centre Ada Ženeva (artificial lakes, hotel, catering and sports facilities); recreation centre Lozni Kalem (Aqua Park); sports complex Vrtop (tennis courts, Wellness Centre); ethno village Koritnik.

contact miLan matiĆ, president of the

contact Dr vLaJKo ĐorĐeviĆ,

contact Zoran viDanoviĆ,

municipality, vojvode mišića 30, 14242 mionica Tel: +381-14-62-020; 62-666 fax: +381-14-62-241 email: somionica@ptt.rs; website: www.mionica.org. languages spoken: serbian, russian, english and french

president of the municipality, Trg stevana mokranjca 1, 19300 negotin, Tel: +381-19-544-000; fax : +381-19-541-386; e-mail: ouc.negotin@yahoo.com; website: www.negotin.rs languages spoken: serbian & english

municipal president sinđelić 3, 18205 niška banja Tel: +381-18-45-48-108; fax: +381-18-45-48-629 email: vzoran@gu.ni.rs; pitanja@goniskabanja.org.rs website: www.goniskabanja.org.rs

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niŠ

centre of south-eastern serbia located on the crossroads of the most important balkan and european transport routes The city of Niš covers an area of 596.71 square kilometres and has over 250,000 inhabitants. It is the administrative centre of the Nišavski district and the regional centre of South-eastern Serbia. It is located on the crossroads of the most important Balkan and European transport routes.

The general spatial plan for the city of Niš envisages 12 investment locations (of a total of 26) for industrial and service activities. The total surface of these 12 locations is 687 hectares.

The Donje Međurovo industrial zone stretches across 10 hectares and is equipped with most of the required infrastructure.

The technology park in Niš is known for its production of electronic equipment and electrical components for the car industry and IT sector.

The Sever industrial zone is located at the intersection of the pan-European Corridor 10 motorway and the rail lines Belgrade–Niš–Sofia–Istanbul and Belgrade–Niš–Thessaloniki–Athens. This zone covers an area of 174 hectares and is mostly privatelyowned. The zone has complete infrastructure and a

partially developed secondary network.

The city of Niš will assign each investor with a personal assistant to provide assistance throughout the entire investment process.

All required permits will be issued within two months. Subsidies for investors are from 2,000 to 10,000 euros for newly opened jobs, greenfield and brownfield projects in the field of manufacturing, service or research and development.

contact miLoŠ simonoviĆ, mayor of niš, obrenovićeva 38, first floor, 18 000 niš, Tel: +381-18-209-239 fax: +381-18-209-240 e-mail: kler@ni.rs; website: www.kler.ni.rs languages spoken: serbian, english, spanish and bulgarian

nova varoŠ

sporting and recreational tourism

The municipality has good hydro -potential and quality timber The municipality of Nova Varoš is situated in South-west Serbia at the very heart of the Zlatibor district. The municipality covers an area of 581.47 square kilometres and has 19,982 inhabitants. It is linked to neighbouring municipalities via regional roads, while the Belgrade-Bar railway runs 15 kilometres from Nova Varoš.

Nova Varoš has exceptional natural tourist potential with such features as well preserved countryside, over 500,000,000 cubic meters of top quality water in many lakes and springs, villages that

are suitable for rural tourism and Zlatar mountain, which is ideal for the development of health, sports and recreational tourism..

The municipality has good hydro-potential and quality timber. As a mountainous and environmentally clean region, Nova Varoš is suitable for the production of organic food (especially meat, milk and dairy products, potatoes, carrots, raspberries, forest and medicinal herbs).

The most developed industrial branches in the municipality are wood processing, plastic materials processing and the machine parts industry.

Most of the workforce has completed high school education.

The following industrial branches are suitable for investment: timber processing, the cultivation and processing of medicinal herbs, meat, milk and dairy production, fish ponds, bottling of natural water, tourism (building tourist facilities on Zlatar Mountain), growing and processing potatoes and carrots, livestock breeding, etc.

novi paZar

Distinctive culture The local private sector is quite well developed and extremely diverse

Novi Pazar is the economic and cultural centre of the Sandžak region. The municipality has a population of around 125,000, while the town of Novi Pazar has a distinctive culture, history and tradition.

The municipality is located 290 kilometres south of Belgrade, on the road to Podgorica and the Adriatic Sea via the Ibarska Highway. The whole area has abundant natural resources.

Plans are in place to reconstruct the Novi PazarSjenica and Novi Pazar-Tutin regional roads, while the national investment plan has confirmed it will grant funds for construction of the Belgrade-Bar motorway that will pass between Sjenica and Novi Pazar. Works are set to be completed by 2016.

Novi Pazar’s economy is dominated by retail activities, the processing industry (primarily textile and leather processing and furniture making), as well as transport and tourism.

The local private sector is quite well developed and extremely diverse, with the number of small and medium-sized enterprises currently standing at 6,000.

The industrial zone is still state-owned, but the process of privatising this land is currently

underway. The zone is equipped with relevant infrastructure.

Novi Pazar’s advantages lie in an educated workforce, expeditious issuing of required permits and various simulative measures.

The economic branches considered suitable for investing are as follows: the processing industry (particularly textile and leather processing), agriculture, organic food production and tourism.

contact sLaviŠa puriĆ, president of the

contact Dr meho mahmutoviĆ, mayor

municipality, karađorđeva 32, 31320 nova varoš; Tel: +381(0)33/62-140, 62-142 fax: +381(0)33/62-140, 62-142 email: ounvaros@gmail.com; website: www.novavaros.rs languages spoken: serbian & english

stevana nemanje 2, 36300 novi pazar; Tel: +381(0)20/313-644, extension 147; fax: +381(0)20/331-942 email: edin.kalac@novipazar.org.rs; website: www.novipazar.org.rs

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oseČina

fruit Growing region osečina’s economy is known for its agricultural, food processing, chemical industry and arts & crafts

nenaD stevanoviĆ president of the municipality of osečina

“private sector is well-developed here”

contact: ivana KapetanoviĆ The local economic development office of the municipality of osečina karađorđeva 78 14253 osečina Tel. 014/451-031 fax: 014/451-158 e-mail: ivana.osecina@gmail.com foreign language: english

IncentIves For Investors Investors who hire over 10 workers are exempt from paying for access to water and sewage, as well as the utility tax for the period of two years, while those who hire over 10 workers are exempt from paying the aformentioned fees for a year.

The industrial branches that are suitable for investing are the food and plastic material processing.

Relevant permits are issued within seven days. One of the most successful privatization examples in this area was the privatization of the former factory Podgorka Osečina.

In the beginning of 2004, Podgorina Frucht, a member of the Austrian group Gruenewald International GmbH, acquired Podgorka Agrar (which had previously declared economY bankruptcy) with Osečina’s economy the intention of reis known for its agriculOsečina’s economy is known for instating productural, food processing, its agricultural, food processing, tion, as well as the chemical industry and arts & crafts. There are chemical industry and arts & crafts technology used in the factory, adalso several small plasvancing the production process and to help the tic, paper and wood product manufacturers. The fruit growing region to stand up on its feet again private sector is quite developed and is mostby applying a brand new fresh fruit purchase polly made of SMEs, small arts & crafts and retail icy. Today, Podgorina Frucht has 105 employees, shops. According to the 2005 data, the municiwhile, in season, that number ranges from 200 to pality had a total of 28 industrial, 8 agricultur250. The company’s annual turnover is between al, 6 retail, 2 tourism, catering, and a transporta13 and 15 million euros. This is one of the best extion company and one that is engaged in forestamples of a well-executed brownfield investment. ry and construction.

The municipality doesn’t have its own coat of arms, and the process of devising one is pending.

PoPuLatIon’s eDucatIonaL structure For now, the municipality uses the official coat of Residents, aged 15 and over, have completed arms of the Republic of Serbia. ■ schooling and literacy since 2002.

GeoGraPhIcaL PosItIon The Municipality of Osečina is in Western Serbia. It is located along the left and right side of the Valjevo – Loznica main road and the Valjevo – Loznica railroad, which is currently under construction, i.e. on the left and right bank of the River Jadar.

In the north, Osečina borders with the municipality of Koceljeva, in the east with Valjevo, in the south with Ljubovija and in the west with the municipalities of Krupanj and Loznica. The municipality’s centre – the town of Osečina – has close to 3,500 residents and is located 32 km northwest from Valjevo in the direction of Loznica and 130 km southwest from Belgrade in a north-easterly direction towards the Republic of Srpska. It lies at an altitude of 210 metres.

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The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

paraĆin

rich raw materials

petrovac na mLavi

hunting and fishing

The economy of paraćin has a long industrial tradition of over 120 years

Good potential for development and investment in the economy of petrovac na mlavi municipality exist

Paraćin is located in central Serbia by the River Crnica. It is 156 kilometres from Belgrade via the international highway E-5 (Corridor 10), 130 kilometres from Bulgaria and 190 kilometres from Romania. The city itself lies at the intersection of the most important international highways and Corridor 10, at the beginning of the international road E-761, and at the junction of the E-760 road.

The main rail line towards northern Europe also passes through Paraćin.

The municipality of Petrovac na Mlavi is located in the central part of the Mlava river basin, between Gornjacki canyon and Stiska plain (Stiska ravnica) in the north. It occupies an area of 655 square kilometres and has around 46,000 inhabitants. It is located on one of the most important routes in Branicevski district.

The land in the municipality is highly favourable for the development of animal husbandry, farming and vegetable growing. Small business development in the municipality occurs on a high level.

The leaders of economic development in the municipality belong to different areas of the economy including: furniture factory Javor, Mlavaplastika, leather industry IKOP, slaughterhouse October 8, dairy industry Homolje, Borac, a factory for vegetable and fruit processing which owns a mill, bakery and a cold storage facility, a pig farm, construction company Alpina, as well as agricultural cooperatives in the majority of settlements in the municipality.

Good potential for development and investment in the economy of Petrovac na Mlavi munici-

The municipality covers 542 square kilometres, of which 58.12% is agricultural land, 0.03% forest and 38.75% has other uses. According to its geographical position, Paraćin forms part of the Great Morava city triad.

The economy of Paraćin has a long industrial tradition of over 120 years and is renowned for the production of textiles, glass, cement, confectionery, food products and building materials, as well as electric power equipment and textile equipment. The municipality has a strong agriculture sector, small industries, trade and tourism.

The municipality is rich in raw materials for the local Novi Popovac cement factory, gravel from the Great Morava and stone/limestone for the the glass factory.

There is a huge amount of space and ample resources for the development of eco-tourism, the exploitation of forest fruits, and the bottling of water.

Paraćin has several industrial zones at very good locations and with more or less complete infrastructure, electricity, gas power and water.

contact saŠa paunoviĆ, municipal president, Tome Živanovića 10, 35250 paraćin Tel: +381-356-30-07; fax +381-355-631-65 email: opstina@paracin.rs; website: www.paracin.rs language spoken: english

pality exist in the area of forestry, raw minerals and coal, as well as possibilities for the development of hunting, fishing and spa tourism. The Mlava River and other watercourses represent the potential which should direct the agricultural production towards the production of raw food material that can be processed on the spot or in plants located in the municipality.

poŽarevac

excellent farming opportunities The municipality offers excellent farming opportunities with rich agricultural land The city and municipality of Požarevac is located in eastern Serbia’s Braničevo district. It covers an area of 481 square kilometres, is comprised of 24 rural settlements and two urban towns.

Požarevac is located on a very important rail route (Belgrade-Bor-Zaječar), which connects it to the Timok area and the whole of eastern Serbia. Other noteworthy rail routes include the connection with Velika Plana-Smederevo and Požarevac-Kostolac.

Požarevac lies at the confluences of the rivers Velika Morava and Danube and Mlava-Danube. It offers exceptional conditions to utilise waterways as transport routes to connect to other parts of Serbia. The transportation of goods by river is handled through three local ports: Dubravica, Kostolac and Ram. The municipality offers excellent farming opportunities, with rich agricultural land covering 73.6% of the total area – of which arable fields account for 97.8%. Most of the land (99.3%) boasts fertile soil types. Agriculture, together with plant and animal rearing, is represented on 38,000 hectares of arable land.

Coal lignite is the most important energy potential of the area and is set to retain its dominant role of energy in the long term. Moreover, previous investigations have revealed the existence of three untapped oil and gas fields in the municipality.

The food industry is particularly well developed and the industry flag bearers in the municipality include Bambi, Žitostig, MIP and Fruit Product.

contact raDiŠa DraGoJeviĆ, municipal president, srpskih vladara 165, 12300 petrovac na mlavi, Tel: +381-12-331-280 fax: +381-12-331-283; email: info@petrovacnamlavi.rs website: www.petrovacnamlavi.rs languages spoken: serbian and english Serbian Potentials

The InvesTmenT GuIde

contact mioDraG miLosavLJeviĆ, mayor, drinska 2, 12000 požarevac Tel: +381-12-539-601 fax: +381-12-539-622 email: mmilosavljevic@pozarevac.org.yu website: www.pozarevac.rs 35

pirot

Local Brands The municipality of pirot is one of the few municipalities in serbia that has well-known local brands

T

vLaDan vasiĆ president of the municipality of pirot

"michelin and helenika are the biggest investors here"

contact: mariJa ĐoŠiĆ srpskih vladara 82, pirot Tel: 010/ 305 – 580, 305 - 500 fax: 010/ 313 – 901, 305- 578 e-mail: marija.djosic@pirot.rs, kabinet@pirot.rs, proffice@pirot.rs website: www.pirot.rs, www.ledo.pirot.rs

he municipality of Pirot is located in southeast Serbia and covers an area of 1,232 km².

It has 63,701 residents. Pirot is nearly 300 km away from Belgrade, 70 km from Niš and 30 km from the state border with Bulgaria. The municipality is intersected by roads and railways which serve as links to the rest of Serbia and Bulgaria.

The most important of these transport routes are Corridor X and the M-9 main road. Airports in Niš and Sofia are 70 km away from Pirot. The NišPirot-Sofia electrified railway is an integral part of the Budapest-Belgrade-SkopjeAthens and LjubljanaZagreb-Belgrade-SkopjeAthens railroads.

ious sizes which are available to potential investors.

The Božurato Zone is suitable for industrial and storage companies, it covers an area of 12.9 hectares, with 30% of the zone available.

The Sredorek and Barje zones are suitable for the same purpose, they cover 29.6 hectares and 70% of them are free.

Free Zone The Free Zone has 65 hectares of infrastructurally equipped land with the municipality as the zone’s owner. Companies that operate in the zone are exempt from paying the city land regulation fees and local adiministration costs, as well as the fees for having aDvantaGes an access to on-site infraGood geographic posistructure. tion; General Zoning Plan; It will take an investor up Geographic Information to 30 days to obtain all perSystem; Available workforce; Favourable In 2010, the municipality implemented mits that are not under the municipality’s business environthe project called ’establishing a and up to ment; Long tradition rug making cooperative’ in order to jurisdiction 14 days for permits in economy and arts preserve and support the long rug- that are issued by the & crafts; making tradition here municipality.

Utility compaThe biggest foreign investor here is Michelin nies able to operate as profitable enterprises; The (tyre producer) and Helenika (footwear producer).

Stara Planina (The Old Mountain) nature park, poThe municipality of Pirot is one of the few tential for developing tourism; Natural wealth municipalities in Serbia that has well-known loThere are 465 companies and 1,347 enterprecal brands like Pirot’s kačkavalj (type of semi-hard neurs in Pirot. cheese) which is geographically protected as is the Pirot rug. economY In 2010, the municipality implemented Rubber, textile, food and chemical industry the project called ’Establishing a Rug Making are the most dominant industrial branches.

Cooperative’ in order to preserve and support the The most successful companies in Pirot are long rug-making tradition here. In 2001, the imTigar Tyres, Tigar, Prvi Maj and Slobodna Zona (The plementation of the GIS project began, as well Free Zone). Tigar has 2,200 and Tigar Tyres 2,300 as the projects like ZIP, the Youth Centre, Youth employees. Tigar Company is among the top three Business Incubator and an intermodal logistics export companies in Serbia. centre (implemented in cooperation with the Pirot According to the 2011 data, there are 8,000 Free Zone). Also, the plan is to implement a sports unemployed people in the municipality. infrastructure project within the framework of the Serbia - Bulgaria cross-border cooperation proInDustrIaL Zone gramme. Another strategic project is constructing The Beg Bašča industrial zone stretches across 8 an indoor swimming pool in Pirot. ■ hectares of land. It is divided into land plots of var36

The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

attractive Locations

poŽeGa

The biggest railway station at the belgrade-bar railroad, with 16 tracks, including the kraljevo and niš branches, is located here

P

broWnFIeLD LocatIon ožega municipality is in Požega basin in ‘Stare pekare’ lot of about 36.7 Ar; “Petar Zlatibor district. Spread on 420 square kiloLeković’ barracks, planned for an apartmentmetres, at an altitude of 306 to 330 metres. business.

There are 36,500 people living in the municipaliPrivatization of ‘Budimka’ is been complete ty’s area, and the centre of the municipality is the and, within the big business complex of that city of Požega. company, a suitable loThe city lies on three cation of the type could rivers: the Skrapež, the be found Đetinja and the Moravica, which at the territory of GreenFIeLD the municipality form LocatIon the West Morava. The Within the economRzav, Lužnica and the ic- working zone, there two Kamenica rivers, are are free privately-owned also on the municipalispaces. There are also ty’s territory. the municipality’s lots, Požega is the trafbut they are small and fic and energy hub of not connected.

West Serbia. It is locatvicinity of touristic centres Within the first phase ed at the crossroad of the Divčibare and Zlatibor; of realization of the inM5 and M21 trunk roads dustrial-working non-cusand the crossroad of the tometino field plan for E 763 Horgoš- Požega and development of tourism at toms zone, which is financed from NIP funds, E 761 Požega- Višegrad the foot of Divčibare there is a 27ha space for planned roads, as a part various business purof the Sarajevo- Požegaposes. The land is priSofia road. vately owned.

The biggest railway station is the BelgradeForeIGn Bar railroad, with 16 Investments tracks, including the NEXE group bought Kraljevo and Niš branch. a lime and stone factory Jelen do; Crops & economY partners Belgrade, YUBE Metal complex; Wood bought cold storage plant industry, solid wood furfor fruit processing; niture and sheet furniture; Construction industry; naturaL resources Textile and food industry; Agricultural producAgriculturally arable land: 9,500ha; Limestone; tion, particularly fruit production and livestock Marble ‘blue flow’; Quarries; Construction materifarming; Tourism in protected eco-zones. als’ production clay; Boulder and sand deposits; The municipality has attractive industriThermal-mineral water. al zones at its disposal. The municipality’s townVicinity of touristic centres Divčibare and planning scheme determined an 85ha-free space Zlatibor; Tometino field plan for development of in the industrial zone, and 210ha of free space in tourism at the foot of Divčibare. ■ the future non-customs zone-park.

Serbian Potentials

The InvesTmenT GuIde

37

miLovan miĆoviĆ president of the municipality of požega

“the municipality has attractive locations of industrial zones at its disposal”

contact: miLovan miĆoviĆ sloboda square 9 31 210 požega phone number: 031/ 811-181 fax : 031/ 811-151 mobile phone: 069/8977851 e-mail: zamenik.predsednika@ pozega.org.rs, opstina@pozega.org.rs web site : www.pozega.org.rs foreign languages for possible investors: english

preŠevo

priBoJ

proKupLJe

Great economic full support for assistance potential investors available

preševo has great economic potential a key transport town, priboj in large agricultural areas under is crossed by the main belgrade irrigation,as well as a large number of -bar railway unrealised opportunities The municipality of Preševo is located in the extreme south of Serbia, in the Pčinja district. The region’s most important transport corridors run through Preševo’s territory, including pan-European Corridor 10, the M-25.2 road and the Belgrade-NišSkopje-Thessalonica-Athens railway.

The municipality covers 264 square kilometres and has around 36,000 inhabitants.

Preševo’s additional advantages include large agriculture areas, a long tradition of agriculture and livestock breeding and a powerful Diaspora community that maintains dynamic links with Preševo.

Developed economic sectors in Preševo include metal processing, the construction industry, production of building materials, food production, tobacco industry and tobacco production. The economy is dominated by private enterprise, with 95% of the municipality’s 500 companies being privately owned.

Preševo has great economic potential in large agricultural areas under irrigation,as well as a large number of unrealised opportunities, such as agricultural co-operatives, crystal, tobacco processing factories, etc.

The municipality has carried out all infrastructure preparation for the planned industrial zone and Preševo has 3,595 employees.

The municipality of Preševo has established a municipal service to assist potential investors and to reduce the time required for administrative tasks.

The municipality has adopted its strategy for the development of Preševo for the period running from 2007 to 2015.

The town and municipality of Priboj is located in south-western Serbia’s Lim River valley, within the border triangle of Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Republika Srpska).

A key transport town, Priboj is crossed by the main Belgrade-Bar railway connecting the Serbian capital to Podgorica and the Adriatic coast.

Priboj covers an area of 552 square kilometres.

Arable land covers a third of the total area, while forest land takes up around 62%.

The economic potential of Priboj municipality is being sought in the development of the SME sec-

tor, agriculture and tourism, but also in the development of transport vehicle technologies, heavy industry and the chemicals industry.

Priboj’s potential for tourism development lies in the expansion and redevelopment of the Priboj Spa complex, renowned for its thermo mineral springs since Roman times.

The advantages of the municipality include an educated and affordable workforce and an excellent geographical position.

The local government offers full support for investors, as does the Serbian state.

The municipality of Priboj ensures the swiftest, most effective and cheapest way to obtain all permits and approvals applicable under its jurisdiction.

Depending on the size and type of investment, direct agreements are possible with regard to all local fees and taxes.

The most important investors actively present in the municipality of Priboj are Swisslion Markets, Delta Holdings and Spy & Wellness.

The municipality is ready to attract potential investors by earmarking sites for their further development The municipality of Prokuplje covers an area of 759 square kilometres in southern Serbia’s Toplica county. Prokuplje’s proximity to the pan-European Corridor 10 and good transport connections add to it’s attractiveness.

Apart from the metal, non-metal and textile industries, the local economy is dominated by the agro/food sector, with the gradual development of the private sector consisting of small businesses and entrepreneurs. There are a number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the municipality. The greatest number of small companies operate in the field of trade, mining, financial and other services.

The advantages of Prokuplje in terms of the development of the SME sector include the existence of production facilities, the availability of a qualified workforce and the willingness of the municipality to assist in SME development through an offer of free urban land.

The municipality is ready to attract potential investors by earmarking sites for the further development of SMEs and assisting through the existing office for local economic development, as well as by

combining potential partnerships of the public and private sectors and by offering an ecologically clean environment.

Prokuplje boasts three locations for investors, though they are yet to be equipped with appropriate infrastructure. These sites are: Pojate - Northern Zone; Berilje - Western Zone; Solun - Central Zone.

All necessary permits can be obtained in two weeks.

contact raGmi mustafa, president of the

contact LaZar rvoviĆ,

contact miLan arsoviĆ, president of the

municipality,marsala Tita 36, 17523 preševo Tel. +381 (0) 17 669 137; 660 110 fax: + 381 (0) 17 660 320 email: kanc.ler-presevo@hotmail.com; languages spoken: serbian, albanian, english, German and Turkish

municipal president 12. Januara 108, 1330 priboj Tel: +381 (0) 33 445 648; fax: +381 (0) 33 445 446; e-mail: opstinapb@ptt.rs; www.priboj.org.rs languages spoken: serbian and english

municipality, nikodije stojanovic 2, 18400 prokuplje; Tel: +381-27- 324-040 e-mail: info@prokuplje.org.rs website: www.prokuplje.org.rs languages spoken: serbian and english

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Serbian Potentials

raČa

Geographically Great

raŠKa

raŽanJ

agriculture in the municipality plays a very important role in its overall economy

rich tourist offering

attractive Location

The main tourist potentials of the municipality of raska are the kopaonik and Golija mountains

The employment level of 96 employees per 1,000 inhabitants shows how far ražanj is lagging behind

Rača municipality is situated in the eastern part of Sumadija and includes the basin of the middle and upper streams of the Raca River. Modern roads contribute to the favourable geographical position of Raca municipality.

Sumadija’s main road: Markovac-Raca-NatalinciTopola-Arandjelovac-Lazarevac passes through its territory, which connects the Belgrade-Nis motorway to the east with the Ibar main road to the west.

The municipality of Raska has good traffic connections. Raska is 252 km from Belgrade, and the closest airport is 160 km away in Nis. The municipality of Raska occupies the area of 670 square kilometres and has 26,981 inhabitants.

The leading branches of the economy are tourism, agriculture, industry and mining. The largest number of companies work in the processing industry, followed by trade and agriculture, water management and forestry, stone and ore mining. The need to further improve the technology of processing by introducing certified quality systems is evident.

In addition to the food industry, agriculture represents a sector which, bearing in mind the natural characteristics and structure of the population, can represent strong potential and initial stimulus for progressive economic development in the municipality of Raska. Agriculture is primarily characterized by animal husbandry, fruit-growing and beekeeping, with production ranging from extensive to semi-intensive. About 47.1% of the total area of the municipality of Raska is agricultural land. There

There 46 companies in Raca municipality.

Companies are divided into: agriculture, forestry, water industry, processing industry, retail, wholesale, repairs, and other sectors. Agriculture in the municipality plays a very important role in its overall economy. It is the leading industry by volume of production.

There are two industrial zones in Raca municipality: Industrial Zone I is situated in the south-west part of the town and is connected to the M4 road.

This zone covers 23 hectares. Industrial Zone II is situated in the southern part of the town and covers nine hectares. The most significant investor is Yura Company, which purchased the former Zastava Elektro Factory.

Raca municipality is in the process of enacting decisions that will release potential investors from paying fees for regulating construction lots. Another benefit is that of a tax release for companies during their first year of business. The timeframe in which investors can acquire necessary permits is two to three months.

contact DraGana ŽivanoviĆ, head of the urbanism and construction department Tel: +381 34 751 796 cell: +381 64 808 40 21 e-mail: dragana.prokic@raca.rs; website: www.raca.rs languages spoken: english and serbian

are185.7 hectares of land intended for economic.

The main tourist potentials of the municipality of Raska are the Kopaonik and Golija mountains, Josanica Spa (Josanicka Banja), the River Ibar, natural rarities and the rich cultural and historical heritage. Investors can receive all necessary permits and consents within the prescribed legal deadline.

The municipality of Ražanj has a favourable location at the crossroads of the Balkan and Carpathian mountains and the basins of the Great Morava and Southern Morava rivers. The municipality is part of the Nišavski district and covers an area of 289 square kilometres.

The pan-European Corridor 10 (Belgrade-NišThessalonica-Athens) passes through the municipality. The municipality has 23 villages and its central town of Ražanj is 55 kilometres from Niš toward Belgrade.

Most companies that operate in the municipality

are micro-enterprises (one to five employees), with only a few companies in the ‘small’ range of five to 50 employees. Razanj has no medium or large companies. Municipal authorities are in favour of the development of the SME and broader private sector.

The greatest number of workers are employed in the processing industry, followed by the wholesale and retail trade sector, health and social work and education.

Companies operating successfully in Ražanj include the non-ferrous metal foundry 14th October, producers of metal constructions Metaloprerada and Gerber-Export.

The employment level of 96 employees per 1,000 inhabitants shows how far Ražanj is lagging behind other municipalities in central Serbia and the Nišavski district.

Ražanj has 16,926 hectares of agricultural land, which represents 59% of the municipality’s total surface area. The structure of the agricultural area is characterised by a large proportion of arable land.

contact DraGiŠa iLiĆ,

contact DoBrica stoJKoviĆ, municipal president, so ražanj, 37215 ražanj Tel: +381-37-841-217; fax: +381-37-841-225 email: opstinarazanj@gmail.com; website: www.razanj.org language spoken: english and serbian

president of the municipality of raska, predraga vilimonovića 1, 36 350 raška Tel: +381-36-736-281; fax : +381-36-736-204 email: radenko.cvetic@raska.org.rs website:www.raska.org.rs Serbian Potentials

The InvesTmenT GuIde

39

priJepoLJe

Development of small companies

The most common branches of economy are trade, civil engineering and processing industry

P DraGoLJuB ZinDoviĆ president of the municipality of prijepolje

"potentials for usage of the bio-masses are available"

contact: svetLana sLoviĆ bratstva i jedinstva square 1 31300 prijepolje phone number: 033 712 733 fax 033 712 729 mobile phone: 064 856 0427 e-mail: oprijep@gmail.com web site www.prijepolje.rs foreign languages: english

rijepolje is located in south-west Serbia, at the tri-border of Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is 30 km away from the Montenegrin border, and 35km away from the BiH border. It is the second municipality by size in the Zlatibor district. It encompasses 827 square kilometres. The municipality has 41,188 people, which is 13.14% of the total number of inhabitants of the Zlatibor district. 15,031 people out of that number live in urban area.

M21 and M8 to Montenegro, as well as the Belgrade-Bar railroad, pass through Prijepolje.

The municipality is actively working on the development of small and medium companies and the attraction of foreign investments. The most common economic branches are trade, civil engineering and processing industry. In the processing industry sector, textile, machine and chemical industries are leaders.

InDustrIaL Zone Considering the fact that privatization has been unsuccessful for the most part, municipal activities are aiming at boosting the small and medium companies’ development. Near the trunk road from Belgrade to the coast, not far from the Belgrade-bar railroad, the municipality has infrastructurally equipped the Industrial zone with 13 lots, which would be offered to interested private businesspersons under very favourable conditions.

If all other approvals have been acquired, the municipality issues the working permit within seven days.

aDvantaGes Favourable location, possibilities for Greenfield investments in the Industrial zone (2.5ha- 13 lots), conditions for Brownfield investments, 30,000 square metres of available space, experience of the working force in textile, shoe-making and machine industries.

Available potentials for usage of bio-masses (27 millions of kilowatt hours of electrical powInvestors er), small water streams Emilio Stecher AG, where mini-hydro-power Switzerland, marble and plants could be constructgranite blocks’ interior ed, potentials in the wood and exterior production industry, the biggest potential of drinking and ProJects bottling water in southPrijepolje municipalwest Serbia, deposits of ity has ideal conditions lead, copper and zinc for projects of cooperores. Good conditions for ation from abroad. development of agthe eu is financing a foreign Currently, several riculture, fruit and vegetable produc- cooperation project with montenegrin projects financed by the EU are being tion, and tourism in municipality berane- sustainable realized, and one particular. tourism for equal chances of them is the foreign cooperation project with Montenegrin economY Development of the economy of Prijepolje municipality Berane- Sustainable tourism has been stagnating for a long period of time. for equal chances.

The second project is the construction of Causes of the municipality’s under-developthe waterworks in the Kolvrat business zone, ment are in the unsuccessful privatizations of public systems, unused capacities and out-dat- which would have a direct influence on promotion of the economy. ■ ed technology.

40

The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

InTervIew DraGoLJuB ZinDoviĆ presIdenT of The munIcIpalITy of prIJepolJe

inadequate privatization high unemployment is the biggest problem in the municipality and that is due to the very bad and unsuccessful execution of privatization of most of the stateowned companies • In your capacity as the municipal pres- the very bad and unsuccessful execution of and wood processing ones. When it comes privatization of most state-owned compa- to textile processing, our strength lies in the ident, how can you contribute to improvproduction of work and protective clothing. ing both the social and economical stand- nies, particularly textile ones.

We have recorded a 49.2% drop in the Trendteks Company is the leader in this secing of Prijepolje’s residents?

- The differences between developed and employment rate, i.e. the number of em- tor in Prijepolje. The wood processing inployed persons fell from 10,557 to 5,371 dustry also has a great potential. Prijepolje undeveloped municipalities in Serbia are quite noticeable. Also, many residents have in late 2010. Compared to 2009, the is the number one when it comes to biobeen migrating to bigger and more devel- number of employees fell from 5,788 to mass – woodchips that can be used for the heating and production of panelboards. Jela oped cities. Both local and state authorities Company is the leader in that sector. need to be more engaged in tackling these We are also very proud of our rich culproblems. Undeveloped municipalities need tural and historic heritage like the famous more help from the state and European infresco ‘White Angel’ which is kept in the stitutions.

Mileševa Monastery. The beauty of the naThe municipality did make an initure here, clean water and air are all an extial step by drafting and adopting stratecellent recommendation for the developgic documents. In 2010, we devised ‘The ment of active tourism.

Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Municipality 2010 / 2015’, and we are currently working on drafting a • how would you rate the effiPrijepolje is the number one when it comes ciency of the local administraspatial plan and a detailed reguto biomass – woodchips which can be used for tion and what sort of projects lation plan.

In addition to that, we are enwould you like to implement? heating and production of panelboards gaged in setting up an industri- In the last few years, a lot has al zone, which is being leased to investors 5,371 which is a 7.2% drop. If we compare been done on improving communication under very favourable terms. We are also these figures to the 2007 ones, than the with local businesses, and we have put toworking hard on developing agriculture and decline is 22.5%, i.e. the number of em- gether a project unit that is engaged in pretourism. The municipality has excellent con- ployed persons fell from 6,925 to 5,371. paring EU-funded projects. ditions for fruit and vegetable growing, cat- Private companies and SMEs simply cannot In 2010, the municipal authorities built tle breeding and organic farming. One of take on so many workers that have been a bridge on the Lim River in Prijepolje, an our priorities is investing in human resourc- left without jobs following the badly exe- industrial zone and a residential building es since you can never go wrong with incuted privatizations. for people on welfare, as well as modernvesting in know-how. ized the road to the village Vinicka and built several sports grounds.

• When we say Prijepolje, the first thing Our goal is to implement projects that that comes to our mind is vlade Divac.

• What are the biggest problems that the residents of the municipality of Prijepolje aside from the sport brands, what other primarily pertain to environmental protection. We are also keen to finish building brands does Prijepolje have? have been facing?

- High unemployment is the biggest prob- - The municipality is working on develop- the regional landfill and a wastewater fillem in the municipality and that is due to ing small-size companies, primarily textile tering facility. ■ Serbian Potentials

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reKovac

the municipality in central serbia The agricultural sector contributes the most to the local Gdp, with branches such as fruit farming, viticulture, livestock breeding, crop farming and landscape gardening

T Dr DraGan proDanoviĆ president of the municipality of rekovac

“the agricultural sector contributes the most to the local GDp”

contact: Dr DraGan proDanoviĆ municipal president svetozar markovic 2, 35260 rekovac Tel: +381-35-711-004 fax: +381-35-711-196 e-mail: predsednikrekovac@gmail. com; sorekovac@gmail.com website: www.rekovac.org.rs languages spoken: serbian and english

lend themselves perfectly to the further develophe municipality of Rekovac is located in cenment of tourism services. The municipality boasts tral Serbia, in southeast Sumadija. several well-known tourist locations including the Rekovac covers an area of 366 square monastery Kalenić. metres, which represents 13.95% of the total territory of Pomoravlje county. The municipality maIn PIPeLIne comprises 32 settlements.

The construction of the first section of the The municipality’s territory includes two diswater-supply facility is pending in Rekovac. This tinct natural areas: around 3,700 hectares of lowis a 15-km-long pipeline and the project is imland areas and 32,000 hectares of mountain area. plemented with the Rekovac’s transport help of the Agriculture connections to other Development Fund. The municipalities are genMinistry of Agriculture, erally good, though the Forestry and Agriculture area has many dilap/ Water Directorate has idated roads that are allocated the money for poorly maintained. The the project. The entire total length of roads in project is covered finanthe municipality is 179 cially, with Rekovac paykilometres, of which ing 20% of the overall 120 kilometres is modcosts, i.e. 7,412,762 diern roadway. nars.

Some 70% of the Also, the main street in total population live in agricultural households, while the construction of the first Belušić is being reconstructa massive 90% of the to- section of the water-supply ed. The money for this intal working population is en- facility is pending in rekovac vestment came from the Belgrade City authorities, gaged in agriculture. Based while the Ministry of Sport is financing construcon this data, it can be concluded that the municipalition of mini-football pitches with artificial turf. ty of Rekovac is a typically agricultural municipality.

The greatest percentage of local workers are tourIsm employed in the processing sector (43.3% of all Rekovac is located in a hilly area known by the employed residents), while the municipality has historical name of Levač and is considered a relaabout 228 independent shops and traders. tively young settlement.

The agricultural sector contributes the most Although undeveloped, the municipality of to the local GDP, with branches such as fruit farmRekovac did accomplish good results in hunting ing, viticulture, livestock breeding, crop farming and eco-tourism. One of the biggest problems and landscape gardening. that the municipal authorities are facing today The dominant crop is wheat, with an average is the local population being fairly disinterested annual yield of about 2700 kilograms per hectare. in developing tourism. There is great potential in Barley and oats are also significant components in hunting and eco-tourism, as well as in organized terms of improving the quality of animal fodder. visits to many of the local monasteries. ■ Rekovac’s rolling hills and mountain villages 42

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Serbian Potentials

sJenica

Desired Goods potential

Great potential for the development of livestock breeding The municipality of Sjenica is situated in the Zlatibor district of Serbia. Sjenica municipality covers an area of 1,059 square kilometres - making it the largest in Zlatibor.

The municipality’s most important road is the Raška-Novi Pazar-Sjenica-Nova Varoš main road, which links the Ibarska highway to the main Zlatibor road.

Sjenica’s economy is dominated by the processing industry (textiles and textile products, meat and meat products, milk and dairy products) and agriculture.

There is great potential for the development of livestock breeding - as a base for the development of the meat and dairy industry - that is currently insufficiently realised.

Products, such as cheese and prosciutto are ‘desired goods’ all over Serbia, but capacities for the production of these products is also insufficiently developed.

The Sjeničko-Pešterska plateau, with numerous rivers, mountains, lakes, caves, fields and pastures, is one of many unique tourist destinations in Serbia. Accordingly, the municipality has prospects for the development of rural tourism, based on its preserved and unspoilt nature, and numerous archaeological sites.

Sjenica has the cleanest rivers in Serbia. Boasting large stocks of all sorts of freshwater fish, Sjenic’s waterways are particularly appealing to competing anglers and amateur fishermen. An average water temperature of 26º C and the fact the municipality has vast forests with game animals, provides opportunities for the development of hunting tourism.

contact muriZ turKoviĆ, municipal president, kralja petra I, 36310 sjenica Tel: +381-20-741-278 fax: +381-20-741-288 email: sosjenic@verat.net; website: www.opstinasjenica.co.rs languages spoken: serbian and German

smeDerevo

centre of steel The u.s. steel industrial zone is located seven kilometres to the south-east of the city

Smederevo is a city in the north-east of Serbia, in the Podunavlje district. It is situated on the banks of the Danube. The basic potential of the city of Smederevo is its extremely good geographic and traffic position between the two European corridors - continental Corridor 10 and the Danube 7.

The U.S. Steel industrial zone is located seven kilometres to the south-east of the city, and it is also the most significant position of development of the city. It is linked with the production of raw iron and steel - a segment of black metallurgy. The zone covers an area of around 300 hectares, and has high techno-economic values Industrial Zone West of the Centre - The traditional zone of the old ironworks, on 21 hectares, also has a multi-structural character and a high level of techno-economic characteristics.

Industrial Zone in Godominsko Polje – This zone is located to the north-east of the city and it is divided into several sub-zones. The existing industrial zone covers the area of 101.3 hectares.

Salinacki Put sub-zone covers 15 hectares. The sub-zone located by the main road of the industrial zone has a multipurpose character and it covers

the area of 36.86 hectares.

A project involving constructing infrastructure for the new industrial zone (84 hectares) is being worked on. The plan of detailed regulation has been enacted and finding solutions to ownership and other project issues is being advanced with the support of the National Investment Plan.

soKoBanJa

a favourable climate sokobanja is one of the oldest tourist destinations in serbia, with abundant natural resources The municipality of Sokobanja covers an area of 525 square kilometres and is linked to the Belgrade-Niš E-75 motorway. The Žitkovac railway station is 35 kilometres from Sokobanja and is connected to the Belgrade-Niš railway. The nearest airport is Constantine the Great Airport in Niš (60 kilometres).

The municipality’s economy is fairly heterogeneous, with local revenue structures showing that the dominant branches here are agriculture, forestry and water supply, followed by retail trade and in-

dustry. Sokobanja is one of the oldest tourist destinations in Serbia, with abundant natural resources (thermo-mineral springs and attractive geological features), scenic countryside, a healthy environment, a rich cultural and historical heritage and a favourable climate.

The existing municipality’s general spatial plan envisages a site comprising three individual zones: the working zone, the industry zone and the arts and crafts zone.

Land plots that are available to investors include: 15.1 hectares at the Podina site ideal for sports and recreational facilities; there are 9.3 hectares of land suitable for residential and business construction. There is a location stretching across 18.8 hectares in the vicinity of the forest, making it suitable for tourist facilities.

Each investor will be assigned a personal investment consultant to guide them through all procedures, thus ensuring that relevant permits can be obtained in the shortest time possible.

contact ZDravKa KovaceviĆ vasiĆ,

contact DimitriJe LuKiĆ,

head of local economic development department omladinska 1, smederevo, 11 300 Tel: +381 26 221 724 ext: 1610; fax: +381 26 223 354 e-mail: zdravka.kovacevicvasic@smederevo.org.rs website: www.smederevo.org.rs

president of the municipality, svetog save 23, 18230 sokobanja Tel: +381-18-830-030; fax: +381-18-830-253 e-mail: invest@opstinasokobanja.com website: www.opstinasokobanja.com

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smeDerevsKa paLanKa

abundance of Geo-thermal Water natural resources enable the development of tourism, industry and agriculture

T

ŽivKo petroviĆ president of the municipality of smederevska palanka

“municipal authorities are willing to lease out land here for free to investors”

contact: the LocaL economic DeveLopment office vuka karadžića 25 11420 smederevska palanka Tel/fax: 026/321-087/ 321 – 087 e-mail: ler@smed-palanka.rs website: www.smed-palanka.rs

tion, transport and communication, tourism, manuhe municipality of Smederevska Palanka is facturing, engineering, science and research in the located in the north-east section of Šumadija. metal processing industry and vegetable growing.

It is 80 km away from Belgrade, and only 8 km (via air) from the Corridor X. LocatIons suItabLe For Investments If you want to get from Belgrade to The industrial zone in the Kolonija quarter Smederevska Palanka, you can use the Corridor covers an area of 40.5 hectares with 25 hectares X, i.e. E-75 motorway from four directions – still available. The town centre and railway staMladenovac (14 km away), Kolari (27 km away), tion are 2.5 km away and Smederevska PalankaPožarevac via Mihajlovac (25 km) and Velika Plana Smederevo road only 50 metres away. There is a (12 km). detailed regulation plan Smederevska Palanka in place and, in terms of is well-connected to infrastructure, there is Central Serbia by regionpaved access roads, elecal roads Smederevska tricity grid, water and gas Palanka-Rača-Kragujevac supply systems.

(50 km) and Smederevska The location called Palanka-Topola-Rudnik Guberaš lies on the (56 km) which serve R-107 regional road as links to the Ibarska (Smederevska Palankamotorway. Also, the Velika Plana) and it covers Belgrade-Niš railway (26 an area of 30 hectares. It km long) passes through is 4 km from the town. the municipality and the Municipal authorirailway station here has an the industrial zone in the ties are willing to lease industrial track that leads Kolonija quarter covers an out land here for free to to the industrial complex Goša. The municipal- area of 40.5 hectares with 25 those investors who plan hectares still available to set up production facility covers an area of 422 ities and create new jobs. square kilometres and has Depending on the size and the purpose of the fa56,011 residents. In April 2011, the average net cility, an investor can obtain required permits in salary per employee was 31,006 dinars. the space of one to six months. corPoratIve aDvantaGes most ImPortant Investors Natural resources, abundance of geo-thermal Žos Trnava AS, Slovakia – producer of trains; mineral water; Long tradition and experience in Atlantis Group, Croatia – producer of non-acoholindustry; Production and spatial capacities suitic beverages; Metal-Produkt, Serbia – production able for brownfield investments; Stable energy of aluminum and steel sheet profiling machines; supply; Consolidated and meliorated farmland; Agrokor (Idea), Croatia – supermarket chain; DIS, The Goša Institute and The Institute for Serbia – supermarket chain.

Vegetable Growing; Close proximity to Corridor Smederevska Palanka has a sports airport, 10 and Smederevo Port; Commerce and banking Rudine, which can be used for commercial developed. purposes. ■ Industry sector - industry, agriculture, construc44

The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

surDuLica

sviLaJnac

svrLJiG

Development underway

trade and crafts centre

suitable for hunting

surdulica municipality is located in the pčinjski district of southeastern serbia

alluvial soil, which is perfect for the production of crops, is predominant in svilajnac

agriculture is the most important economic sector in svrljig

Surdulica municipality is located in the Pčinjski district of South-eastern Serbia, along the Mesurićko area in the basin of three rivers: Vrle, Jerne and Božićke. It also covers part of the Vlasinska plateau. Surdulica covers 628 square kilometres and it is located within the network of the main roads in Serbia. On the western side, via Vladičin Han, Surdulica is able to access the South Morava and the main north-south road corridor (M1), as well as rail lines from Niš to Skopje and a major crossing of the east-west road M1-13.

The largest share in structure of realised income is in the industries of electricity and water production (65.5%), and trade, tourism and catering (13.7%), while a very small part is made up of agriculture, forestry and fisheries (10.3%). In total, in the municipality has 120 registered business entities engaged in activities of the primary and secondary sectors.

Surdulica’s strategic development plan for the period from 2007 to 2011 has the following priorities: preparing development, planning, urban and technical documentation for the pur-

Svilajnac is located in the Pomoravlje district.

A seven kilometre long regional road connects Svilajnac with Corridor 10, which is an exceptional strategic location. There are around 25,511 inhabitants living in the municipality. Alluvial soil, which is perfect for the production of crops, is predominant, and also, Svilajnac has always been known as a trade and crafts centre.

Bearing in mind the undiminished interest of investors, another similar 23 hectare zone will soon be opened. The new industrial zone is fully equipped

pose of economic development, organising profitable agricultural production based on market principles, establishing preconditions for the development of the SME sector, improving infrastructure and creating conditions for the development of infrastructure and industrial parks, expansion of regional economic and cultural cooperation, as well as improving services for economic development.

in terms of infrastructure.

Up-to-date administration provides, and issues, all necessary permits for the construction of production facilities within 30 days, following an urgent procedure. It was, and still is, one of the advantages local authorities have for attracting investors.

Svilajnac will be the first city in Serbia, as well as in the Balkans, where a Nature Centre will be constructed, with the main exhibit being eight dinosaur replicas. Over an area of around 3,000 square meters, in addition to workshops and an area for scientific research, there will be the exhibition area with original fossils as well as a 3D movie theatre showing science and documentary movies.

The municipality (which initiated the project themselves), expect that the centre will be visited by around 120,000 people annually, due to the fact it is on Corridor 10, and is in the tourist region of central Serbia, where Resava cave and Manasija monastery are located.

Svrljig is located in central Serbia, 25 kilometres north-east of the regional centre of Niš.

Covering an area of 497 square kilometres, the municipality includes 38 villages and the administrative centre of Svrljig town. Svrljig is about 250 kilometres from Belgrade and lies along the main road to Zaječar, Negotin and Bor. It is situated in a valley between the ranges of the nearby Svrljig mountains, which is itself separated by the river Svrljig Timok. Highland areas cover about 70% of the territory.

According to the 2002 census, the municipality has 17,284 inhabitants, while the town of Svrljig has 6,705 inhabitants. This municipality recorded the lowest average earnings per employee in 2005.

The municipality of Svrljig adopted a detailed regulatory plan for industrial zones, warehouses and service areas on a site between the existing “Progres” and “Herbogala” warehouses. This marked the commencement of activity aimed at preparing for the arrival of investment capital.

Agriculture is the most important economic sector in Svrljig. It relies on livestock breeding,

farming, fruit growing, beekeeping and the gathering of medicinal plants.

Svrljig is counting the development of rural and hunting tourism, with its very beautiful natural conditions, and a large area covered by forests and mountains. The municipality of Svrljig is extremely rich in natural resources, but a lack of manufacturing capacity has resulted in the low national income in this area.

contact novica tonČev,

contact Gorica DimČiĆ-tasiĆ,

contact miLiJa miLetiĆ,

municipal president kralja petra I 1, 17530 surdulica Tel: +381-17-815- 041; fax: +381-17-815- 270 email: info@surdulica.org; website: www.surdulica.org languages spoken: serbian and english

president of the municipality svetog save 102, 35210 svilajnac Tel: +381 (0) 35 312 010 email: predsednik@svilajnac.rs; website: www.svilajnac.rs languages spoken: english

municipal president radetova 31, 18360 svrljig Tel: +381 (0) 63 416 996; fax: +381 (0) 18 821 178 email: predsednik@svrljig.rs; website: www.svrljig.rs languages spoken: serbian and english

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ŠaBac

successful privatization

In 2010, the serbian business Journalists club declared Šabac the town with the best economic future

Š

InDustrIaL Zone The North-West Industrial Zone carries the biggest development potential. The zone covers 921 hectares of land, with 600 hectares owned by city authorities. The zone is still not divided into land plots which enables a potential investor to choose The main roads M-19 (Belgrade – Obrenovac the size and position of a land plot to build on.

– Šabac – Loznica – Mali Zvornik) and M-21 (Novi The city authorities are obligated to provide Sad – Ruma – motorway – Šabac – Valjevo - Užice) a complete utility inintersect in Šabac. The frastructure in the zone town is 20 km from the which is 3 km from the Belgrade-Zagreb motortown centre and lies way, 60 km from Nikola along the M-19 main Tesla Airport, 82 km road and the river Sava. from Belgrade and 73 The zone is 24 km from km from Novi Sad. The Corridor X. state border with Bosnia The Detailed and Herzegovina is 35 Regulation Plan for the km, the border with North-West Industrial Croatia is 40 km and Zone envisages the conthe border with Hungary struction of railroads 356 km away. leading to the zone so that future investors can economY have this transport mode Šabac’s economic deat their disposal too. velopment is dynamic with there are nearly 4,500 The zone is linked to a positive domestic product due to advanced enter- companies in Šabac, including the Belgrade-Zagreb motorway via the regionpreneurshp with heritage 31 banks and 6 insurance al road that is 24 km long in commerce, as well as a companies and leads to Sremska long tradition in industrial Mitrovica. production, a substantial The relevant permits are issued within 15 number of privatized companies and many forworking days. eign investors operating in the area.

The following industrial branches dominate the most ImPortant Investors: the local economy – chemical processing, pharUS Steel, Aliance One Tobacco, Interex, Stada, maceutical, metal processing, machine building, Alas International, Intercell, Mercator. food processing, construction, production of conŠabac is the first town in Serbia that is ISO struction materials, wood processing, upholstery, 9001 certified. In 2008, the town was awarded textile and print industry. for its consistent implementation of the Law on 68% of the total population are people of Free Access to Information of Public Importance. productive ages. 12% of the work capable popIn 2010, the Serbian Business Journalists Club deulation has a university or junior college degree. clared Šabac the town with the best economic fuIn April 2011, the average gross salary was 560 ture, while the Foundation for Quality Culture and euros.

Excellence (FQCE) gave Šabac the National Award There are nearly 4,500 companies in Šabac, for Business Excellence. ■ including 31 banks and 6 insurance companies. abac is located in north-west Serbia, on the right bank of the Sava River, 103 km upstream from Belgrade. The city covers an area of 795 km2 and has 123,000 residents.

miLoŠ miLoŠeviĆ mayor of Šabac

“Šabac is the town with the best economic future”

contact: JeLena BoJiČiĆ Tel: 015/364-161 fax: 015/364-161 e-mail: jelena.bojicic@sabac.org address: Gospodar Jevremova 6, 15000 Šabac website: www.sabac.org

46

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Serbian Potentials

a high Quality vine Growing region

topoLa

Topola is a famous tourist destination thanks to oplenac

T

in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. he Municipality of Topola is located in the The industrial branches that are developed central part of Šumadija, on the crossroads in this area are textile processing, construction, of Belgrade-Kragujevac, Belgrade-Gornji and metal and stone processing. Topola’s General Milanovac and Aranđelovac-Kragujevac routes.

Spatial Plan envisages four industrial zones which It is 80 km south of Belgrade, 40 km west of have some industrial capacities, as well as free Kragujevac and it lies on the M-23 regional road. land plots suitable for construction.

The municipality is only 35 km away from Municipal authorities the Belgrade-Niš motorway can provide infrastructure in and 100 km from Nikola the location of an investor’s Tesla Airport. The municichoice, tax incentives and pality doesn’t have a railthe issuing of relevant perroad and the nearest train mits in the shortest time posstation is in Mladenovac, 30 sible. The branches suitable km away. The municipality for investing are agricultural covers an area of 356 km2, processing and fruit processit has 25,292 residents, 32 ing (due to this being a region inhabited places, one town topola’s General spatial Plan rich in fruit), production and 31 villages.

Over 75% of the envisages four industrial zones of organic food and raw materials for food and population is engaged which have some industrial pharmaceutical indusin agriculture. capacities, as well as free land plots tries. Also, the area is suitable for construction suitable for developing economIc sport, historical, recreationbranches al, rehabilitation and other Agriculture and tourism forms of tourism. are the two most dominant economic branches in the arInvestors ea. There are 3,659 agriculTri O Aranđelovac, Trnava tural estates in Topola, which Promet D. Trnava, Tombstone has one of the highest agriAranđelovac, SVKR Bukulja cultural estate per capita raGranit Aranđelovac, Integral tios in the country. This is Topola, Karbon Topola, Mat mostly a fruit and vine growprodukt Vinča, Aleksandrović ing region. In the last ten Wine Cellar, Agrofarm Vinča, years, high quality vine sorts Triopex Vinča, Stonemason have been grown here. Topola Timotijević Topola, Marmor is a famous tourist destiHotavlje Belgrade, Manes nation thanks to Oplenac, Aranđelovac, ZZ Agrokooperativa Domaćin Vinča, but tourist accommodation here is sparse. The Trnava Pan Kragujevac, Neša Petrol Topola, Hydro Oplenac Hotel in Oplenac is still not renovated, - Stone Lipovac and others. due to property and ownership issues, and is not Good transport links and the accessibility of completely operational. The Karađorđe Hotel in the municipality are some of the most important Jarmenovci is closed and it needs to be thoroughfactors for the development of industry, tourism ly reconstructed bearing in mind that it used to be and agriculture. ■ a refuge centre for people who escaped the war Serbian Potentials

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47

DraGan JovanoviĆ municipal president

“agriculture is the dominant economic branch”

contact: Zora neDoviĆ coordinator at the local economic development office bulevar kralja aleksandra I br. 9 34310 Topola Tel: 034/811-273 fax: 034/811-771 mob. 064/8614183 e-mail: ler@topola.com website: www.topola.com languages: english (written)

trGoviŠte

industry and tourism There is a plan to build micro-power plants on the pčinja river

T

DarKo tomiĆ municipal president

“the town of trgovište is the municipality’s centre, and it lies on the tripušnica, Kozjedolska and Lesnička rivers”

contact: miLoraD niKoLiĆ kralja petra I karađorđevića br.4 17 525 Trgovište Tel. 017 / 452 207 fax.017 / 452 709 mob. 062 / 211 507 and 063 / 559 153 e-mal: kler.milorad@trgoviste.rs website: www.trgoviste.rs foreign languages: macedonian

he Municipality of Trgovište is located in the far South-East of Serbia. In the south, it borders with Macedonia (the border is 47 km long) and the municipalities of Bosilegrad, Vranje and Bujanovac. The municipality’s altitude ranges from 480 to 1,800 metres. It stretches across an area of 370 km2 and has 6,500 inhabitants.

The town of Trgovište is the municipality’s centre, and it lies on the Tripušnica, Kozjedolska and Lesnička rivers, with the Pčinja River stemming from the latter.

The very specific geographic features of the Municipality of Trgovište mean that the main transport links are based in river valleys. There are three regional roads that further branch into 400km-long local roads.

and 200 tons of penny bun, chanterelle and other types of mushrooms are picked annually here).

Advancing livestock breeding (particularly sheep and cattle), both in number and technology, is needed.

ForestrY For the most part, the Municipality of Trgovište is covered in woods, i.e. 13,000 hectares or 35% of the total surface.

tourIsm The hydrographic potential of the Pčinja River and its confluents, as well as the nearby mountains, flora & fauna, rural areas, pleasant climate and unspoiled nature are all important for tourism development.

Also, there are many hunting grounds and eXIstInG InDustrIaL caPacItIes fishing locations, as well as locations perfect for Yumko Textile Company hiking, mountain and rural tourism.

Crib Factory and Simpo Carpet Factory In order to fully utiPPP Pčinja Trgovište there are many hunting grounds lize its tourist potential, has a coffee processand fishing locations, as well the municipality needs ing facility, it produchotels, additional attenes plastic packaging as locations perfect for hiking, tion paid to hunting refor dairy products, it almountain and rural tourism serves, the clean up of so has a packaging cencamp sites, construction of mountain lodges and tre, a drier, a cold storage facility, a fishpond (with the build of an all purpose accumulation lake.

Californian trout) of 60 ton capacity, forests, arable land and land suitable for construction.

InDustrY The footwear company Koštana was split inThe municipality has proven reserves of 120 to four, now very successful, companies that emmillion tons of cement marl which is perfectploy close to 350 workers. There are nearly 200 ly suitable for producing Portland cement. Also, legal entities in the municipality and 400 agriculthere is a plan to build several micro-power plants tural estates. on the River Pčinja. The zoning plan for Trgovište The unemployment records show that people stipulates construction of an industrial zone near who are seeking employment are mostly trained the Trgovište-Vranje regional road that will stretch in processing leather, are experienced in retail, across 2 hectares. The zone is currently not infraas well as working in the textile industry. Most of structurally equipped. these have completed business-orientated high Municipal authorities have construction plots school education. at their disposal and investors who hire more than five workers are exempt from paying the construcaGrIcuLture tion land regulation fee. Municipal authorities isDue to fertile soil and a favourable climate, sue necessary permits within a month of the subthis area is suitable for growing fruits and vegetamission of application. bles, particularly potatoes.

In the last ten years, only the Vranje-based Collecting forest fruits and medicinal herbs, SIMPO Company has reconstructed and extended producing honey and local arts & crafts are also the local crib factory. ■ quite developed (close to 120 tons of blackberries 48

The InvesTmenT GuIde

Serbian Potentials

four industrial Zones

trsteniK

The trading company ‘zapadna morava’ is now owned by the municipality and the entire 7.5 hectare area is ideal for the development of an industrial zone

T

he municipality of Trstenik is located in the central part of Serbia, around 200 kilometres south of Belgrade and borders the following municipalities: Kraljevo (in the west), Vrnjacka Banja (in the southwest), Aleksandrovac (in the south and southeast), Krusevac (in the east), Rekovac (in the north) and Varvarin (in the northeast). Trstenik is the economic, administrative and cultural centre of the municipality. The municipality occupies an area of 448 square kilometres. The Zapadna Morava river flows through the city. Most settlements in the municipality are located in the fertile valley of the river. The total length of roads in the territory of the municipality of Trstenik is 266 kilometres, and of this 193 kilometres are covered with modern roadway. Main roads cover 19 kilometres, regional roads 70 kilometres and local roads 168 kilometres. The municipality has an airport where tourist planes with up to 18 seats can land. Vrnjacka Spa (Vrnjacka Banja), the centre of Serbian continental tourism, is located 10 kilometres from Trstenik.

defines the strategic courses of development in all aspects of citizens’ life. aGrIcuLture Fertile land, a favourable climate and a long tradition of agricultural production make agriculture an important economic branch for the municipality of Trstenik. The land is an important natural treasure of this municipality.

About 63.1 percent of land is agricultural land - arable land, gardens, vineyards, orchards, pastures and meadows cover most of the territory. A large number of households participate in this type of production, especially after the privatisation of state-owned companies, when part of the active working population returned to this activity. The production of vine planting and vineyards was preserved, while the production of vegetables in open greenhouses, production of berry fruit and flowers replaced traditional farming cultures and animal husbandry.

tourIsm economY The proximity of Vrnjacka Banja; the beauti‘Zapadna Morava’, which was in the past a ful landscape in the hilly part of the municipality; large trading company, is now owned by the muthe Zapadna Morava river (which flows 100 menicipality, and the entire 7.5 hectare area includters from Trstenik city centre); two beautiful moning infrastructure is ideal for the development of asteries, Ljubostinja and an industrial zone. OnceVeluce; historical and arpowerful, state-owned Fertile land, a favourable companies have left beclimate and a long tradition of chaeological localities, remain completely unused. hind 320,000 square meagricultural production In addition to the natural ters of commercial properbeauty and historical herty. The general urban plan itage of the area, concrete investments in this secand the strategy of sustainable development for tor are necessary to ensure a higher number of the Trstenik municipality is defined over four intourists and increase their expenditure. This secdustrial zones. Two of these zones are equipped tor, with much room for improvement, can have a with infrastructure. Trstenik is a municipality with positive influence on the small and medium busia large number of small and medium companies ness sector and agriculture. and a long tradition of entrepreneurship in the sector of industry, trade and crafts. Despite a For Investors large number of entrepreneurial shops and regDepending on the type of activity and necesistered agricultural households, the productivity sary documentation (feasibility study, permits isof small business is low. In 2009, the municipalsued by state bodies), permits are issued within ity of Trstenik adopted a strategy of sustainable two to four months. ■ development in the municipality, which clearly Serbian Potentials

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stevan ĐaKoviĆ president of the municipality of Trstenik

"the land is an important natural treasure of this municipality"

contact: DraGiŠa troŠiĆ manager of the department of economy and sustainable development knjeginje milice bb, 37240 Trstenik, Tel: +381-37-714-333 fax: +381-37-712-530 mobile. +381-63-102-50-30

tutin

uB

free consultancy mining and services agriculture

The municipality boasts land suitable for an industrial zone, though it doesn’t have adequate infrastructure yet

The municipality of ub is the second biggest municipality in the kolubara region

The municipality of Tutin is located in the Sandžak district of southwest Serbia. It stretches across 741 square kilometres and includes 99 towns, villages and hamlets. Tutin is located more than 300 kilometres from Belgrade. The M-2 and M-22 both pass through the municipality.

The entire area has a mountainous character. The richness of pastures in the area of Gornji and Donji Pešter and forests in Mokra Gora, have contributed to the population of this area, primarily engaged in

animal husbandry and the processing of wood.

The dominant economic branches here are furniture production, wood processing, agriculture, dairy production, construction and retail trade.

The municipality boasts land suitable for an industrial zone, though it doesn’t have adequate infrastructure yet. Local authorities are currently putting together plans and projects to construct a free industrial zone in Leskovo, near the Belgrade-South Adriatic motorway.

Tutin authorities offer free consultancy services to potential investors, while offering several incentives, such as reduced utility costs and other fees.

The branches most suitable for investments are organic food production, gathering/processing medicinal herbs and forest fruits, producing electricity from renewable energy sources, agriculture, construction, furniture production, wood processing, tourism and catering.

Local authorities will issue the documents necessary to commence building works within two months.

The municipality of Ub is the second biggest municipality in the Kolubara region and covers an area of 456 square kilometres. The municipality is 50 kilometres from Belgrade. There is an industrial railway track that runs through the municipality that is suitable only for cargo transport.

The most important economic branches in the municipality of Ub are agriculture and mining.

Arable land covers close to 33 hectares (72.16% of the entire land area). Another important economic branch is mining. Aside from agriculture and mining, the construction industry is very important here. There are also abundant raw materials for the production of construction materials such as stone, quartz and white clay.

In addition to natural and economic potentials, tourism also has the potential to become widely recognised in the region, provided that new investments are made in that sector.

The municipality of Ub offers the following incentives to investors: 1) reduction of or exemption from paying property tax, a local utility fee, a land utilisation fee, a land develop-

ment fee, an environmental protection fee, general administration fees and a land lease fee, 2) co-financing (money is provided from a special budget fund) of the fee if investors wants to change the land purpose and co-financing of the zoning costs. Municipal authorities also provide incentives to investors who create a certain number of new jobs.

uŽice

centre of Western serbia užice is one of the few cities in serbia that makes a surplus in trade with foreign countries The city of Užice is located in western Serbia and represents the administrative, commercial, social and cultural centre in that part of Serbia. The main feature of Užice is its location at the heart of South-eastern Europe. Two significant roads pass through Užice: the European road E-761 and the E-763. The most significant railway in Serbia, Belgrade-Bar, passes through Užice. It enables the low-cost and quick transport of goods and people.

In addition there is also a cargo terminal. The airport Ponikve is located in the vicinity of Užice, 15

kilometres away.

Užice is one of the few cities in Serbia that makes a surplus in trade with foreign countries.

The leading sectors are the metal industry, coloured metal processing, the textile industry and wood industry.

The industrial area covers around 125 hectares of the city’s territory. In the town of Sevojno there is the Free Zone. The Free Zone is located in the Sevojno industrial zone and there are greenfield and brownfield locations within the Free Zone that are accessible to potential investors.

RZ Sevojno L (greenfield) covers an area of 2.96 hectares. The industrial zone Sevojno D (greenfield) covers an area of 38 hectares, but it lacks communal infrastructure. Bojovica Vodenica covers 0.62 hectares and it has communal infrastructure. The potential industrial-commercial zone Ada Vrela covers 3.46 hectares. The industrial zone Krcagovo covers 14.89 hectares and has complete communal infrastructure.

contact BaJro GeGiĆ,

contact vLaDisLav KrsmanoviĆ,

contact Jovan marKovic, mayor

president of the municipality husein-bega Gradaščevića 7, 36320 Tutin Tel: +381-20-812-025; fax: +381-20-811-035 email: razvojtutin@yahoo.com languages spoken: serbian, english and russian

municipal president, 3. october 4, 14210 ub Tel: +381-64- 816-07-13 e-mail: predsednik@opstinaub.org.rs website: www.opstinaub.org.rs languages spoken: serbian, english, french and Italian

dimitrija Tucovica 52, uzice, 31000 Tel: +381 31 590 142; fax: +381 31 513 499 e-mail: uprava@uzice.rs, svetlana.jm@uzice.rs website: www.graduzice.org languages spoken: english and serbian

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stefil and Jablanica

vaLJevo

aside from the stefil industrial zone, the town also has the Jablanica location which is suitable for brownfield investments

V

and Belgrade-Bar railway. The zone is 9 km away aljevo is located in the west of Serbia. It from the small civil airport Divci and 70 km away covers an area of 905 km2 with an averfrom the Port of Šabac. Since it has quite a few inage altitude of 185 metres. The town has dustrial halls, this industrial zone is suitable for 96,761 residents and is the administrative and brownfield investments. business centre of Kolubara County.

In addition to Stefil, there is Jablanica, which Motorways E-75 and Belgrade-Niš are just 90 covers a total of 9.5 hectares and is also a perfect km from Valjevo (it is linked to motorways by relocation for brownfield investments. gional roads) while the Belgrade-Požega motorIf we are talking about the structure of the way, which is currently under construction, is 20 economy in this area, the processing industry, comkm away. merce and agriculture dominate, while there is a The M-4 main road links the town to Central lot of untapped potential in food processing, fruit Serbia and Belgrade, while the M-21 serves as a growing and processing, production of fruit juice, link between Valjevo and North and South Serbia. cattle breeding, the slaughter industry, construcRailroads: Belgrade – Bar and Valjevo – Loznica tion and construc(under construction). tion material producThe town is 95 tion. Also, there is the km from Nikola possibility of exploitTesla Airport, 80 km ing geo-thermal wafrom Bosnia and ter springs.

Herzegovina and 145 km from Croatia. economIc The work-capaPotentIaL ble population, aged Agriculture and from 15 to 64, make food processing, up 66% of the enchemical, metal and tire town’s populabuilding material intion. There are 7,895 dustry, printing, texunemployed persons, tile and leather, footwith 2,262 of them It takes municipal authorities five wear, collecting and trained in mechanics and electrics. days to issue the official documents processing of industrial waste, wood for registering a new company processing, construction, trade, tourism and catering, transport and telInFrastructure ecommunications, infrastructure, ecology.

Good water supply and sewage system, reIt takes municipal authorities five days to isgional waterway system, good energy grid, resue the official documents for registering a new mote heating system, stable digital telecommucompany. nications network, waste water filtering facility, In the last few years, a total of €40 million town and regional landfill and a recycling facility from FDIs was invested in Valjevo. (under construction).

InDustrIaL Zone The town of Valjevo has the Stefil industrial zone that stretches across 14 hectares of land and is 3 km away from the town’s centre. It is located right next to the M-4 main road (Valjevo-Belgrade)

the most ImPortant Investors Gorenje - Slovenia, Golden Lady - Italy, Austrotherm - Austria, Inter Marche – France.

The town of Valjevo was certified by NALED as having a favourable business environment. ■ Serbian Potentials

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Zoran JaKovLJeviĆ mayor of valjevo

”people are one of our biggest potentials”

contact: tiJana toDoroviĆ head of the local development, economy and utility office mirJana teofiLoviĆ The local development and economy unit karađorđeva 64 14000 valjevo Tel: 014 / 294 – 711 fax 014 / 226 - 112 e-mail: tijana@valjevo.org.rs and mteof@valjevo.org.rs website: www.valjevo.org.rs foreign languages spoken by local administration: english

varvarin

numerous investment possibilities varvarin is the administrative, economic, educational, cultural, health and transport centre of the municipality

V

Zoran miLenKoviĆ president of the municipality of varvarin

“the municipality has about 70 companies”

contact: Zoran miLenKoviĆ municipal president Trg marina marinović, 37260 varvarin Tel/fax: +381-37-789-263 email: sovarvarin@ptt.rs website: www.varvarin.org.rs languages spoken: serbian and english

arvarin is a small town and municipality in the Šumadija region of central Serbia. It is part of Serbia’s Rasina district and covers an area of 249 square kilometres. The municipality has 21 small settlements as well as the town of Varvarin, which is the administrative, economic, educational, cultural, health and transport centre of the municipality.

tourIsm In addition to agriculture, Varvarin’s greatest potential lies in the development of tourism.

The Varvarin area has all the necessary preconditions for tourism including the natural beauty around the Great Morava and Western Morava rivers, the River Kalenić and the forests of Juhora and Blagotina. Furthermore, tourism can also be developed to promote the area’s many memorial fountains, springs, excursion sites, historic and cultural monuments, churches and monasteries.

comPanIes The municipality has about 70 companies, which are engaged in producing different goods ranging from secondary raw materials, food productogether with the municipality of enerGY tion, production of eFFIcIencY building materials, to Ćićevac, Varvarin has formed a joint Ever since 2007, commercial services. venture company with the american each year, on the A number of locompany L. a. International 23rd February, the cal companies have for the construction and subsequent m u n i c i p a l i t y o f entered the privatisation process, which distribution and maintenance of a gas Varvarin marks the pipeline network Energy Efficiency Day. is expected to lead to Varvarin is the first the increased funcmunicipality in Serbia tionality of factoto have signed a memoranries and increased produm of understanding with duction in the municipalthe Energy Agency. ity of Varvarin. At present, Thanks to the cooperathe economic capacity tion with GTZ, the Standing of Varvarin relies on PIK Conference of Towns and Varvarinsko Polje and the Municipalities and the Brojler chicken farm.

Energy Efficiency Agency, Together with the muVarvarin now has its first nicipality of Ćićevac, ever energy clock, locatVarvarin has formed a joint ed in the town square, that venture company with the shows how much energy the street lighting is savAmerican company L. A. International ing and what are the environmental benefits of for the construction and subsequent distribumodernizing the street lighting. ■ tion and maintenance of a gas pipeline network.

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town With a soul

vranJe

local authorities provide exemption from paying the local business name fee and the land development fee as incentives for investors

V

ranje, is known by many as a town that has soul, and is situated in the very south of Serbia. Vranje is the economic, administrative, health, educational and cultural centre of the Pčinjski country. The municipality of Vranje stretches across 860 square kilometres and is one of the biggest municipalities in Serbia. It is comprised of 105 towns and villages, 32 local communities and 21 local offices. The town of Vranje has an excellent geographic position; it is situated on Corridor 10, and is 48 kilometres from the state border with Macedonia and 74 kilometres from the border with Bulgaria. The Niš and Skopje airports are 120 and 90 kilometres away respectively, which makes the town even more attractive for potential investors.

Radnička Street has full infrastructure, while the infrastructure in the other two zones - Suvi Dol and Bunuševac - will be developed soon.

InFormatIon For Investors Local authorities provide the following incentives for investors - exemption from paying the local business name fee and the land development fee. With USAID’s assistance, the local selfgovernment has also set up the Local Economic Development Office, in line with the one-stopshop principle, where potential investors will receive complete service.

In accordance with the legally defined deadlines and relevant documentation, investors can obtain the required permits in 30 to 45 days. The following companies are the biggest investors in Vranje - British-American Tobacco, Simpo, Sanch, economY Kenda Farben and Danny Style, as well as nuVranje has a long industrial tradition, primarimerous small and medium enterprises engaged ly in wood processing, and also in the textile, toin leather processing and footwear manufacturbacco, metal processing, machine building, chemiing who export their entire production, such as cal, agricultural, food and footwear industries. The Decathlon and Progetti. In addition to modernising biggest exporters here are Simpo and Alfa Plam, the services provided, local auwhich are also considered the town’s brands. The arrival of the public sector here thorities have also relaxed local regulations (this process called British-American Tobacco solidis considered to be one ‘The Regulation Guillotine’ was ified the town’s reputation as of the most proactive carried out in collaboration with one of the most interesting inin the country the IFC - World Bank). In addivestment locations in Serbia. tion to these incentives, the The municipality’s developmunicipality, helped by relevant institutions, has ment advantages lie in the qualified and versatile invested in the development and application of workforce (of 50 different professions). The muIT and infrastructure, which are some of the most nicipality’s educational institutions, the National important development factors.

Employment Service and investors have estabLocal administration is continuously educatlished a good collaboration on re-training or proed and ready to implement reforms, which has reviding additional trading for the workforce in orsulted in Vranje being the recipient of many state der to meet investors’ needs. and international awards. The National Alliance for Local Development (NALED) has awarded Vranje InDustrIaL Zones with a certificate stating that the town has a faIn accordance with the master spatial plan, vourable business environment. This is the crownseveral industrial zones have been developed ing achievement of the long-term effort invested here. The biggest companies in Vranje are all loand a validation of the responsibility and reliabilcated in Radnička Street (Alfa Plam, Simpo, Yumko, ity that the town’s public sector has. The public Sanch, Zavarivač etc.). The privately-owned comsector here is considered to be one of the most panies are mostly located in the industrial zones proactive in the country. ■ of Bunuševac and Suvi Dol. The industrial zone in Serbian Potentials

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miroLJuB stoJČiĆ mayor of vranje

"Local self-government provides incentives for investors"

contact: BoBan stanKoviĆ assistant mayor for economy and local economic development Issues petog kongresa 1, 17500 vranje Tel: +381-17-402-334 fax: +381-17-421-576 mob: +381-64-890-75-05 e-mail: privreda@vranje.org.rs website: www.vranje.org.rs languages spoken: english and serbian

veLiKa pLana

veLiKo GraDiŠte

vLaDimirci

World renowned Beautiful Water nice Livestock natural scenery investment

The municipal authorities envisage the waving of building land development fees for investors

The structure of the local economy includes sectors of agriculture, tourism and industrial processing

The municipality of Velika Plana has a favourable geographical position, lying in the central area of the Republic of Serbia along the pan-European Corridor 10. It occupies an area of 345 square kilometres. Velika Plana is predominantly an agricultural-industrial area with fertile land.

The Velika Plana Veterinary Centre is world renowned for its selection and breeding of livestock.

Investments in this area of the economy represent a major development perspective for the municipality.

Velika Plana already is well developed in the areas of the metal industry, building material and construction operators, trade, tourism and other industries.

The municipality has two industrial zones: the south industrial zone, with a total area of approximately 27 hectares (approximately 15 hectares of this is already equipped with municipal infrastructure); and the north industrial zone, which lies just 1.5 kilometres from the ring-road link to Corridor 10 and covers a total area of about 65 hectares (20 hectares of which is already occupied for commercial purposes).

The north zone boasts complete infrastructure in areas of the site that have been under construction, while the undeveloped area relies on existing infrastructure with the possibility of expansion.

The municipal authorities envisage the waving of the building land development fee for investors. Licenses are obtained in the shortest possible time with respect to the legal terms and legal procedures.

The municipality of Veliko Gradište is located in eastern Serbia. It covers an area of 344 square kilometres and has a population of 27,000. To the north, Veliko Gradište is bordered by other Danube-side municipalities and only a length of the river separates Veliko Gradište from neighbouring Romania.

The southern part of the municipality is traversed by the Belgrade-Kladovo A-road and rail line, while Belgrade is about 110 kilometres away.

Veliko Gradište boasts a river port on the

Danube, while most of the municipality’s area is made up of arable land with gardens, vineyards and crop fields. The municipality is also rich in hunting grounds.

Veliko Gradište is surrounded by some of the most picturesque natural scenery - popular Silver Lake (Srebrno Jezero) made of the artificially divided Danube channel, and the captivating mountain river Pek which flows from Serbia’s eastern regions and ends in an estuary at the River Danube. It’s proximity to Silver Lake, the Danube and Pek make this town a paradise for fishermen and admirers of nature.

The structure of the local economy includes sectors of agriculture, tourism and industrial processing.

Agriculture plays the most important role, marked mainly by the cultivation of corn, wheat, industrial fodder, fruits and vegetables.

The most significant industrial production facilities are the vegetable oil refinery Dunavka and local industrial bread-making capacities.

The area has significant geothermal water and pure water sources

Vladimirci is one of the eight municipalities of the Mačva district in the area of the North-western Serbia, on the right bank of the Sava River. The territory of Vladimirci is bordered in the south by the territory of Koceljeva municipality, and in the west by Šabac. The southern part of the municipality reaches the Vlašić mountain range. The municipality covers 338 square kilometres.

The municipality offers favourable opportunities for agriculture, including farming, livestock, vegetables, fruit, and food processing. Agricultural land covers 27,298 hectares, or 81% of the total territory. Farms and gardens cover 22,732 hectares, orchards 1,920 hectares, vineyards 70 hectares, and meadows 1,548 hectares.

Wheat and corn are the leading crops. Fruit growing is prominent, particularly of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and plums. Most of the farmers also raise livestock: cattle, pigs, and sheep. Farmers also produce fresh meat, milk, and dairy products.

The area has significant pure water sources and geothermal water that can be developed for agriculture and tourism. According to geolog-

ical surveys, the territory of the municipality offers hot spring water supplies to a depth of about 1,100 metres.

Vladimirci's infrastructure includes 875 kilometres of road networks, 400 kilometres of watersupply pipelines, a fixed telecommunications network with over 6,000 telephone connections, and an electric power network covering the entire municipal area.

contact DeJan ŠuLKiĆ,

contact LJiLJana steviĆ, deputy

contact miJaiLo miLovanoviĆ,

municipal president miloša velikig 30,11320 velika plana Tel: 381 (0) 26 514 262; mob: 381 (0) 64 860 3203 email: sovplana@verat.net; www.velikaplana.org.rs languages spoken: serbian and english

municipal president for economic development Žitni Trg 1, 12220 veliko Gradište Tel: +381-12-660-128; fax: +381-12-661-128 email: sovgradiste@ptt.rs; web site: www.velikogradiste.org.rs languages spoken: serbian and english

president of the municipality svetog save 34, 15225 vladimirci Tel: +381(0)15/513-141; fax: +381(0)15/513-146 email:sovlad@gromnet.net; website: www.vladimirovci.org.rs language spoken: english

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vLaDiČin han

an efficient and modern municipality The town lies on major road and rail links, including the belgrade-niš (corridor 10) motorway Vladičin Han covers an area of 366 square kilometres. It belongs to a group of municipalities in the southern Morava Valley, including 51 villages and is close to international borders of Macedonia and Bulgaria.

The town lies on major road and rail links, including the Belgrade-Niš (Corridor 10) motorway, which leads on to Skopje and further down to Thessalonica and Athens. .

Municipal leaders believe that Vladičin Han is an excellent investment destination. It offers easy access to consumers, and has a market of a million people within an hour’s drive.

Vladičin Han has an efficient and modern municipal administration and developed infrastructure.

All necessary information can be provided within several seconds thanks to the municipal database set up to assist in the preparation of starting a business, and all required paperwork for the legal regulation of a business can be obtained within a week.

The municipal administration will meet and help investors, intervening on their behalf with the

highest state authorities. The council can provide advice from the most competent people in the most prominent economic, scientific and university institutions in Serbia.

Investment costs in Vladičin Han are very low and the municipality also assists in negotiations with banks, investors, suppliers and distributors, domestic and international financiers, potential partners and customers.

vLasotince

vrnJaČKa BanJa

renewable centre of spa energy potential tourism The municipality also has water potential which gives it the potential to develop sportsrecreation tourism Vlasotince municipality is situated in the south-eastern part of Serbia in the area of the middle and lower basin of the Vlasina River.. There are 33,312 citizens and it covers 308 square kilometres. A significant infrastructure feature is the closeness of the Vlasotince municipality to the NisSkopje motorway.

Vlasotince municipality has various natural resources and it offers conditions for developing many different economies such as: the textile in-

dustry, wood industry, metal industry, construction material industry, graphic industry, the industry of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, civil engineering, crafts, trade and catering, electric industry, wood processing, primary agriculture, fruit and vegetable processing, and tourism. The municipality also has water potential which gives it the potential to develop sports-recreation tourism. Also, there are the conditions for the construction of mini hydro-electric power plants and renewable energy sources in general.

Vlasotince industrial zone is already defined by a general plan. It covers an area of 82 hectares.

The location is close to the main infrastructure corridor.

Considering the future orientation, small facilities should become predominant and the desire to form industrial complexes along the existing roads, the new general plan Vlasotince 2020 envisages the enlargement of the existing industrial zone and commercial areas.

Tourism is the main economic branch in vrnjačka banja. The town itself is known for its spas The municipality of Vrnjačka Banja is located in central Serbia. The town of Vrnjačka Banja is in the municipality’s centre. It is 200 kilometres from Belgrade and is situated between the Goč Mountain and the West Morava River.

Tourism is the main economic branch in Vrnjačka Banja. The town itself is known for its spas. Vrnjačka Banja has six thermal water springs in the town itself, out of which two are homeothermo-mineral springs. Vrnjačka Banja has wonderful parks which cover over 60 hectares of land and aristocratic villas that date back to the late 19th and early 20th century.

Constructing a wellness spa, four- and fivestar hotels and a children’s amusement park called Beli Izvor are just some of these projects. There is the possibility of building industrial and production zones which range from five to 30 hectares in size. Also, there is the opportunity for greenfield investments to be made on the Goč Mountain, where sports and recreational facilities, tourist resorts, children playgrounds, mini hotels, and ethno and eco villages can be built. Potential investors

will find the timber processing industry and organic food production especially interesting in terms of investment potential.

The Republic of Serbia’s spatial plan and the municipality’s spatial plan, covering the area around the West Morava River, both envisage the construction of three small hydro-electric power plants which is also a great investment opportunity.

contact nenaD mitroviĆ,

contact BoJan cvetKoviĆ, head of

contact miLa stoJanoviĆ, head of the

municipal president svetosavska 1, 17510 vladičin han Tel: +381-17-472-360; fax: +381-17-473-073 email: info@vladicinhan.org.rs; website: www.vladicinhan.org.rs languages spoken: serbian and english

municipality administration Trg oslobodjenja 12, 16210 vlasotince Tel: +381 16 875 552; fax: +381 16 875 552; e-mail: opsta.uprava@vlasotince.org.rs; website : www.vlasotince.org.rs

environmental protection and local development unit kruševačka 17, 36210 vrnjačka banja Tel: +381-36-601-214; e-mail: milastojanovic@nadlanu.com website: www.vrnjackabanja.co.rs

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ZaJeČar

substantial incentives for investors by the Government of serbia’s act, zaječar has been declared an area of special development importance

BoŠKo ninČiĆ mayor of zaječar

“Local incentives for investors”

T

own of Zaječar is located in the far east of Serbia. It is only 11 km away from the state border with Bulgaria. The town has been built on the intersection of the Paraćin – Zaječar – Kula (Bulgaria) main road. It covers an area of 1,096 square kilometres, and, according to the 2002 census, it has Italy-based footwear producer Pierik moved into the former textile factory and will hire 65,969 residents.

Most of the work capable resi50 workers by the year end dents, over the age of 15, have comZaječar does not have an industrial zone, but pleted high school education (29.9%), followed there are available land plots along the M-25 main by elementary school (27.5%) and university and road with accompanying infrastructure, located junior college graduates (7.9%). near the Timok River and a railroad. These land plots cover an area of 152,450 square metres and InDustrIaL caPacItIes are ideal for greenfield investments.

There is a metal-processing and food indusThe cable factory, Gorenje, warehouses, worktry here, and, in the past, this area was known for shops and a petrol station are all in the same locaits textile, leather processing, glass and porcetion. The town centre and railway station are onlain industry. The main industrial capacities are ly 3.3 km away. The land here is privately owned, privately owned.

contact: naDeŽDa raDenKoviĆ assistant mayor in charge of investments Trg oslobođenja 1 19000 zaječar Tel: 019/444-600, 444-670 fax: 019/421-712 e-mail: nadezda.radenkovic@zajecar.info website: www.www.zajecar.info; www.lerzajecar.com 56

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but there is a possibility of town authorities or investors purchasing it. Zaječar also has quite a few locations suitable for brownfield investments.

IncentIves By the Government of Serbia’s Act, Zaječar has been declared an area of special developmental importance which means that the Government provides substantial incentives for each new job created, which range from 4,000 to 10,000 euros. There are other local investment incentives like leasing out production halls (owned by the town authorities) for a very affordable fee and being exempt from paying the town land utilization fee over the period of up to five years which depends on how many new workers an investor hires.

Zaječar has a qualified workforce particularly in areas like textile & leather processing, porcelain production, crystal glass processng, food production, agricultural produce processing, metalprocessing and electronics.

An investor can obtain a building permit (for a greenfield investment) in up to 52 days, which is how long it takes for a permit to be issued from the moment an application is submitted to the registration of built facility.

Investors In December 2010, a contract with Gorenje was signed stipulating the Slovenian domestic appliance producer launch the production of washing machines in the former porcelain factory, that will be later exported to East Europe and Russia. The factory was supposed to become op-

erational in September 2011 and to employ 300 people. This will have a beneficial effect on the development of enterpreneurship.

Italy-based footwear producer Pierik moved into the former textile factory and will hire 50 workers by the year end.

The following foreign companies are also operational in Zaječar: Moraviaenergo from the Czech Republika, Telefonika Kable from Poland, United Serbian Breweries (Heineken) Zaječarsko and Strabag. archaeoLoGIcaL LocaLItIes The 3rd to 4th century imperial palace of GamzigradRomuliana is located near to the Paracin-Zaječar road (11 km from Zaječar). Encircled by a defence system, made up of 20 towers, the settlement excompasses an area of 6.5 hectares, inside of which an older four - tower system can be seen.

Excavations were started in 1953 and showed that inside of

Zaječar does not have an industrial zone, but there are available land plots along the m-25 main road with accompanying infrastructure, located near the timok river and a railroad this rampart there are several temples and palaces. Also, on the hill of Magura, a sacred complex comprising of two tumuli and two crypts was discovered.

An inscription reading Felix Romuliana, found in 1984, confirmed to archaeologists that the Roman emperor Galerius had built a residence at the location and named it Romuliana after his mother Romula. Born in Coastal Dacia, around the year 250 AD, Galerius was the son of barbarian mother and herdsman father. Galerius was noticed for being a brave soilder and owing to this was adopted by Diocletian. Galerius was eventually proclaimed Caesar and in 306 AD was made Emperor of Rome. In 312 AD Galerius intended to step down as Emperor and spend a “quiet old age” in his residence. In 311 AD he died on his way Sofia. He was buried on Magura, as was his mother Romula. There was a funeral along with apotheosis the act by which mother and son were deified. ■ Serbian Potentials

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ŽaBari

ŽaGuBica

Well-equipped industrial Zone The municipality stretches across 264 kilometres and has 18,247 inhabitants Žabari is located in eastern Serbia at the heart of the Lower Pomoravlje district. The municipality stretches across 264 kilometres and has 18,247 inhabitants.

It is situated at the junction of regional roads R-103, R-107 and R-275. The Belgrade-Niš motorway (Corridor 10) is 11 kilometres away, while the Smederevo Port on the River Danube (Corridor 7) is 50 kilometres away.

Most of Žabari’s population is engaged in agriculture, due to the municipality’s high quality ara-

ble land. However, the municipality’s food processing and business facilities are currently underdeveloped and require investment to provide an adequate basis for further economic development and higher value of this area.

When it comes to the local revenue structures, agriculture and forestry account for 85.42% of income. Privately-owned companies comprise 90.35% of all companies in the municipality.

The detailed general regulation plan envisages an industrial zone on the right side of the R-107 regional road. The industrial zone has good transport links, a nearby power station, water supply, telephone landlines, engine parts factory Petar Drapšin, a silo, cold storage plant and land that can be purchased from private owners.

The municipality of Žabari can offer potential investors industrial halls, processing capacities, land, human resources and exemptions from paying various administrative and utility fees, as well as issuing building permits before legally defined deadlines.

contact mioDraG fiLipoviĆ,

eco food and tourism

vegetables and fruit

many motels have been constructed thanks to local companies and there are plans for the construction of new motels

The municipality is committed to producing organic food both for domestic and foreign markets

The municipality of Zagubica is located in the eastern part of Serbia, around 170 km southeast of Belgrade and 83 km from Pozarevac. The main traffic corridor is the regional road of the R105 Pozarevac-Petrovac-Zagubica-Bor. On the plains of the Zagubica and KrepoljinaKrupaj valley mostly corn and wheat are grown.

On the highlands animal husbandry, farming and fruit production are intertwined; foremost it is a region of cereals, meadows and fruit. In the territory of Homolj the most important businesses and leaders of development in the field of industry are castings factory FOZ, IGM Mermer and Nova Osanica which have been privatised, as well as the dark coal mine (RMU) Jasenovac Krepoljin. As a branch of the economy, tourism has only recently started to develop in the municipality. Many motels have been constructed thanks to local companies and there are plans for the construction of new motels.

As the municipality is economically underdeveloped, and, as such, does not have the necessary funds for more intensive tourism develop-

ment, future orientation in the development of tourism in Homolj should be based on rural tourism. Homolj is predestined for the production of ecologically clean food of a high biological quality due to favourable climate conditions and an ecologically clean environment. Today, this is becoming the most important element of the economic, trade and touristic offering, and to a large degree the motive for tourist visits, as well.

contact DraGi DamnJanoviĆ, municipal president, Trg oslobođenja 1, 12320 Žagubica Tel: +381-12-643-153; fax: +381-12-643-237; email: opstinazagubica@beotel.rs website: www.zagubica.org.rs languages spoken: english

municipal president kneza miloša 103, 12374 Žabari Tel: +381(0) 12 250 130; email: sozabari@ptt.rs languages spoken: serbian and english 58

ŽitoraĐa

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Serbian Potentials

The municipality of Žitorađa is situated in the Toplički district of south-eastern Serbia. The municipality is 10 kilometres from Corridor 10, which links Serbia to Macedonia, Greece and further onto the Far East, and 35 kilometres southwest of Niš.

Agriculture is the most developed branch of Žitorađa’s economic structure. The municipality is committed to producing organic food both for domestic and foreign markets. More and more attention is being paid to growing vegetables here, especially watermelons, peppers, tomatoes and cu-

cumbers, rather than traditional grain crops. Also, fruit growing is on the up. The municipality requires cold storage plants and fruit and vegetable processing facilities in order to round off this economic activity.

The P3 industrial zone is located at the entrance to Žitorađa from the direction of Niš. It is only one kilometre from Žitorađa’s centre, covers an area of eight hectares and is connected to the R-245 regional road. The nearest industrial railway station is only 300 metres from the site. The zone has complete utility infrastructure and its land is privately owned, though the municipality intends to buy the land from private owners and offer it for use by potential investors free of charge, providing they plan to hire more than 50 workers.

The municipality has another industrial zone that is also situated on the R-245 regional road. It is only five kilometres from Corridor 10 and six kilometres from Žitorađa town.

contact Dr mioDraG petroviĆ, president of the municipality Toplički heroji 53, 18412 Žitorađa Tel: +381-27-362-931; fax: +381-27-362-211 email: opstina@zitoradja.org; www.zitoradja.org languages spoken: serbian and english

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2011/2012

6

THE TIME HAS COME FOR NEW INVESTMENTS

BOJAN PAJTIĆ, President of the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR AND EDITOR IN CHIEF Tatjana Ostojić t.ostojic@cma.rs ASSISTANT EDITOR Slavka Kovač s.kovac@aim.rs ART DIRECTOR Ilija Petrović i.petrovic@aim.rs PROOFREADER Max Williams m.williams@aim.rs TRANSLATOR Snežana Bjelotomić

10

PLACE TO DO BUSINESS,

BRANISLAV BUGARSKI, Director of the Vojvodina Investment promotion fund (VIP)

17 18 19

Čoka, Inđija, Irig

PRINTING Rotografika d.o.o.

Segedinski put 72, Subotica "The Investors Guide - Vojvodina in Focus 2011/2012" published by: alliance international media Makenzijeva 67 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 245 05 08 Fascimile: +(381 11) 245 05 04 E-mail: office@allianceinternationalmedia.com www.allianceinternationalmedia.com ISSN no: 1451-7833

Plandište, Senta, Sečanj

Kikinda

29 30

GENERAL MANAGER Ivan Novčić i.novcic@cma.rs

EDITORIAL MANAGER Tanja Banković t.bankovic@cma.rs

Ruma

Kanjiža

PROJECT MANAGERS Vesna Vukajlović, v.vukajlovic@aim.rs; Marija Savic, m.savic@aim.rs; Jelica Lepori, j.lepori@aim.rs; Nataša Popović, n.popovic@aim.rs;

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR Ana Besedić a.besedic@cma.rs

25 26 28

Contents Opovo, Pančevo, Pećinci

Sombor, Srbobran, Sremski Karlovci Sremska Mitrovica

MUNICIPALITIES

13 14 15 16

Ada, Alibunar, Apatin Bač, Bačka Palanka, Bačka Topla

20 21

Kovačica, Kovin, Kula Mali Iđoš

Bečej

Bački Petrovac, Bela Crkva, Beočin

22 23 24

All rights reserved alliance international media 2011

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Novi Sad

Nova Crnja, Novi Bečej, Novi Kneževac Odžaci

Vojvodina in Focus

31 32 33 34

Stara Pazova, Subotica, Šid Temerin, Titel, Vrbas Zrenjanin

Vršac, Žabalj, Žitište

INTERVIEW BOJAN PAJTIĆ PRESIDENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE OF VOJVODINA

The Time has Come for New Investments The Vojvodinian Government is counting on investors in sectors like agribusiness, finances, construction, pharmacy, machine building industry and IT

Farmers have set up associations that represent them in such situations, they have outlined the joint aims, recognized and adopted strategic goals and practically fought to be treated as equal negotiators with the state.

All of that will have a good effect on the future strategy for development of Vojvodina’s agriculture.

By Slavka Kovač

“D

eveloped infrastructure is the main prerequisite for a successful social and economic development and for attracting both domestic and foreign investments. The quality of life, competitive education, and school classes in foreign languages starting from preschool all the way to university, are all important factors in deciding where a new production facility should be“ – says Bojan Pajtić, President of the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, in an interview for the special edition entitled "Vojvodina in Focus“.

• What is the Vojvodinian Government’s offical stand when it comes to agri-industry? Does your stand differ to that of the Serbian Government’ - Provincial bodies have less authority in implementing the agricultural policy. The province, via its funds and the Development Bank of Vojvodina, has been trying to expedite agricultural development.

The Vojvodinian Government and its Provincial Secretariat of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry are going to devise a programme that is harmonized with the goals of the state Ministry of Agriculture and be adapted to suit Vojvodina.

• Farmers have removed the road blocks in Vojvodina, • What kind of strategy will Vojvodina use in competbut problems in agriculture remain. How is that going ing with international food producers and processors? to affect the future developWhich of the two sectors – food ment strategy for Vojvodina’s or food processing – Out of all FDIs made in Serbia, production agriculture? should be given priority?

45% ended in Vojvodina - The problems haven’t been ful- The agricultural sector curly resolved, and cannot be rerently exports mainly primary solved with road blocks. The problems that agriculture products like maize and wheat, as well as some prochas been facing can be dealt with by being realistic and essed products like sugar, flour, cooking oil and soythe reality is that our agriculture has a slow turnover bean meal. It is mostly large trading companies, that and low capital accumulation. Hence, agricultural polihave the available infrastructure at their disposal (like cy needs to be consistent and long-term so that farmgrain tanks and ports), which buy and export these ers can make plans when it comes to production, purproducts. The export of processed products is done chasing raw materials, new machinery, planting new orindependently, but also by companies. The export volchards or starting a cattle herd for milk and meat or any ume depends on the level of investments in the prinon-farming activities carried out in villages. mary sector since the capacities for the processing of 6

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Vojvodina in Focus

primary products are not utilized enough.

The problem is that the technology used by the food industry is relatively obsolete, it doesn’t have enough economic power, and there are no good investment loans available that could help the industry with modernizing the technology it uses. The food industry needs to base its survival plan on finding strategic partners.

Otherwise, once the market opens, this industry’s role will be reduced to reception and distribution centres for large EU companies.

Vojvodinian companies produce high-quality confectionary products. Also, there are frozen food producers from Ruski Krstur and Bečej which produce frozen peas and sweet corn, among other things. There is also a Selenča company that produces organic food, and a Bačka Palanka company that manfuactures and exports fruit juices.

Export of apples, particularly to Russia, is picking up, and apples are now being produced using the latest technologies and the control system Global GAP. Food production and processing are very closely related and these two sectors combined provide almost 40% of the state budget revenue.

- Usually, they expect us to assist in providing the required infrastructure. Developed infrastructure is the main prerequisite for a successful social and economic development, and for attracting both domestic and foreign investments. The quality of life, competitive education, and school classes in foreign languages starting from preschool all the way to university are all important factors in deciding where a new production facility should be. The VIP Fund has been providing training in inidividual municipalities with the aim of these municipalities first devising and then implementing

• How important are foreign investors and their contribution to the implementation of the aformentioned stategy? What kind of investor profile does Vojvodina count on?

- Of course we consider foreign inThe problem is that the technology used by food industry is vestors important. We have estabrelatively obsolete, it doesn’t have enough economic power, and lished the Vojvodina Investment there are no good investment loans available that could help the Promotion Fund (VIP) to help forindustry with modernizing the technology it uses eign investors with acquiring reliable information about Vojvodina’s the measures that would atinvestment opportunities and possibilities in the shorttract investors to their reest time possible. The investors that we are counting spective areas. Also, the VIP on are those from agribusiness, finances, construction, Fund has a well-developed pharmaceutical, machine building and IT sectors. system (available through the Fund’s website) which • Serious investors are now much more cautious when shows available investment embarking on new business endeavours. What is the locations in the province. situation like in Vojvodina today, and what trends do you expect this and next year?

- The global economic situation is very complex. Our • What share do domestic economy is going through a transition and everybody is investors have in the develaware of that. Investors are coming here prepared, and opment of Vojvodina? mindful of the great opportunities that exist here. They - This share is growing. There are met here by the VIP Fund, which helps us in detectwas a period of stagnation ing the most frequent problems and bottlenecks which due to two years of economic downturn. Investors are we then try to resolve. The practice has shown that most becoming increasingly interested, but we are slowly, and effort should be invested in harmonization of regulation surely, getting closer to the pre-crisis level of interest and this is the area where we have been trying to be as shown by both domestic and foreign investors. helpful as possible.

• Vojvodina has accomplished the best results when it comes to eradicating unemployment. How much did • What are the most common requests that invesforeign investors contribute to that? tors have?

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- Our two main goals are creating new jobs and reducing unemployment. There are tax incentives, provided by both the state and Vojvodina’s government, that serve as support to businesses, primarily those that are exported orientated. The Provincial Secretariat of Labour, Employment and Gender Equality provides subsidies that range from 100,000 to 300,000 dinars per each new job created. The Vojvodina Development Fund allocates up to 50 million dinars to companies

Vojvodinian companies produce highquality confectionary products that are launching export-orientated production and creating new jobs in the process, while the Development Bank of Vojvodina, in collaboration with the Development Fund, grants loans from a million to 50 million dinars. This money should be spent on constructing and adapting production facilities, acquiring land, increasing export and developing projects.

To answer your question, let me say that out of all FDIs made in Serbia, 45% were in Vojvodina.

• Vojvodina, openining its office in Brussels, will additionaly promote the province as an attractive destination for investors. What will the office work on?

- It is very important that we create institutional and staff capacities that will enable us to get as much money from the European funds as possible once Serbia joins the EU, so that we can use that money towards further developing the province’s economy, infrastructure, health and education system.

It is very important that Vojvodina gets its represent8

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Vojvodina in Focus

ative in the IPA Committee, since it is the Committee that determines what priority areas will the EU pre-accession funds finance.

• There are several large-scale projects in Vojvodina, particularly in the area of energy, that are currently on stand-by. What is preventing these projects from being implemented?

- We are really doing everything we can. At this moment, we are conducting wind power analyses in Alibunar, Bela Crkva, Vršac, Inđija, Irig, Kanjiža, Kovin, Kovačica, Kula, Pančevo, Plandište, Titel and Šid. Wind is an inexhaustible source of environmentally friendly energy, and Vojvodina has a great potential in this area, especially in central and southern Banat. We have established contacts with many foreign companies including U.S.-based Continental Wind Partners and Electrawinds from Belgium, which is one of the European leaders in generating energy from renewable energy resources. These companies are willing to invest quite a lot of money in Serbia and we do hope that, following these companies making investments, several municipalities in Vojvodina will be a given a great development chance and many new jobs.

• One of the more important projects is certainly FC Vojvodina. Will the Vojvodinian Government provide funding for the club?

- It is important to support the most popular recreational sports and help Vojvodina’s citizens to engage in all forms of sporting activity. We have invested a lot of money in socalled health tracks, synthetic grass tennis courts, basketball courts and other multi-functional sport courts. Our priority is to build running tracks in every single municipality and, over the last few years, we have allocated more than 400 million dinars towards that.

The provincial government is not authorized to get involved in the every-day running of football clubs, but we do co-finance reconstruction, adaptation and furnishing of sports facilities that the province considers important. Primarily, these are school gyms. In 2010, we provided sports equipment for 100 schools and established 47 top training facilities.

The Serbian Government is due to enact a decision about sports facilities of state interest, and, following that, a similar decision will be enacted on the provincial level too. ■

INTERVIEW BRANISLAV BUGARSKI DIRECTOR OF THE VOJVODINA INVESTMENT PROMOTION FUND (VIP)

Place to do Business Developing the infrastructure is the main prerequisite for a successful development of both society and economy and for attracting domestic and foreign investors

By Slavka Kovač

“A

part from attracting new investments, it is very important to work with the existing investors who are willing to extend their capacities.

Companies like I.G. Bauerhin, Saint Gobain, the Apatin Brewery, Heineken, Ruma Guma, Nexe, Carlsberg and Pompea have all confirmed that they are going to make reinvestments to the tune of 70 million euros” – says Director of the Vojvodina Investment Promotion Fund (VIP), Branislav Bugarski in an interview for the ‘Serbian Potentials – Vojvodina in Focus’ issue.

convince them, in a matter of minutes that they should include Vojvodina in their future business plans. It happens seldomly that the contact we establish does not develop into cooperation. We are here to offer information, help them with finding a proper location and effectively position themselves in a new business environment. We are here to provide them with support once they launch their businesses.

• What benefits do you offer to foreign investors?

- Aside from substantial financial and tax incentives at the state level, the Vojvodinian Government has devised instruments for successfully supporting both domestic and foreign businesses, i.e. primarily those that are export-orientated. The Provincial • At this moment, a growing number of investors have Secretariat for Labour Employment and Gender decided to invest more in Vojvodina than in the rest of Equality provides subsidies for new investments that Serbia. How much does the Fund you manage contribrange from a 100,000 to 130,000 dinars per emute to making Vojvodina so attractive to investors? ployee. The Vojvodina Development Fund financially - According to our data, there are close to 230 foreign supports companies that are geared towards export companies in Vojvodina today which have invested and hiring new people with up to 50 million dinars, around 6.4 billion euros and created 62,000 new jobs. while, in cooperatin with the Development Fund, the Provisionally speaking, 17 ‘Serbian’ companies received Development Bank of 80 million euros Vojvodinian Government has devised Vo j vo d i n a g ra n t s worth of investments with 3,500 new peoinstruments for successfully supporting both loans between 1 and 50 million dinars that ple hired. There is a domestic and foreign businesses can be used towards plan to invest an adbuilding or extending production capacities, buying ditional 117 million euros and create over a thousand land, export incentives and development projects. new jobs. Today, we can confidently say that the VIP Fund is recognizable among potential investors thanks to its collaboration with existing companies, compre• You were very optimistic about 2011 and the fact hensive marketing actitivies, its presence at various that you had 40 projects ready. You also said that trade fairs and events with an emphasis on branches 2011 would be the year of substantial investments that have huge potential here, B2B meetings and minin Vojvodina. Was your optimism validated and how gling, as we in VIP like to say, i.e. being able to discern many of the aforementioned projects have been iman opportunity to approach the right interlocutor and plemented so far?

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Vojvodina in Focus

- That’s right. Most of our projects were transferred from last year to this year. It is very unlikely that all of those companies will decide to invest in Vojvodina, but, for us, it is very important that they view us as a possible investment destination. This year, several companies are going to complete their projects – a call centre called Studio Moderna, based in Subotica, will employ 180 people and serve clients from Serbia and Hungary. The famous Danish industrial pump manufacturer Grundfos, that the VIP Fund has been working with since 2007,

build a new production facility. These are the issues that we are going to work on in the future together with our colleagues from towns and municipalities in Vojvodina, as well as with the Vojvodinian Government. In addition to the training that we give municipalities, with the aim of them being able to recognize and apply all of the measures, that are the prerequisite for the arrival of foreign investors, we have a well-developed system on our website which flags available locations in Vojvodina, i.e. locations that we offer to potential investors.

started, on 14th April, to produce 3,500 industrial pumps a month with the help of its There are 45 foreign agribusiness companies in production line in the Nova Pazova indus- Vojvodina that have invested around 2 billion trial zone. In 2012, the company plans to euros and have 12,000 employees build a new factory in Inđija, in the location that we helped to find. For us it is very important • Including agriculture, what other branches are apto work with the existing investors who are willing to pealing to investors? How much money has been inextend their capacities. The volume of announced reinvested in agriculture so far? vestments this year is great, which is yet another valida- There are 45 foreign agribusiness companies in tion that Vojvodina is a very competitive business enviVojvodina that have invested around 2 billion euros and ronment. Companies like I.G. Bauerhin, Saint Gobain, the have 12,000 employees. We view this branch as havApatin Brewery, Heineken, Ruma Guma, Nexe, Carlsberg ing exceptional potential. Also, a lot of interest has been and Pompea have all confirmed that they are going to make reinvestments to the tune of 70 million euros.

• How ready are Vojvodinian municipalities to take investors, and in which way does the VIP Fund help them in providing necessary information on locations, transport infrastructure, local suppliers and other required data?

- We think that developing infrastructure is the main prerequisite for the successful development of both society and economy, and for attracting domestic and foreign investors. The quality of life and competitive education, internationalization and having classes in foreign languages starting with pre-school all the way to university are important factors in making a decision where to Vojvodina in Focus

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generated for the finance, construction, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, retail, car, metal processing and textile sectors. Our focus is mainly on agribusiness, machine processing, metal processing, car parts manufacture and IT sector.

Štofovi, Apatex and others. Aside from these companies, i.e. companies that have declared bankruptcy or had their privatization agreements terminated, we are also looking for strategic partners for companies like Jugoremedija and Agroživ.

• When you talk to foreign investors what problems do they single out the most and can you always be accommodating?

- Even the investors themselves are aware of the fact that our economy is a transitional one, has great poten• Following unsuccessful tial, yet carries risks which we are not shy talking about. privatization, several acGenerally speaking, we can say that our biggest chalquistion contracts with lenge currently is disharmonious regulation. Some of our companies in Vojvodina laws have been modernized to offer greater We are looking for strategic partners for companies like Jugoremedija and Agroživ potential, but some are not properly defined. It takes a lot of energy and time to resolve these situations were terminated. Do you know how many of these from case to case, but, as I said, that is the price of trancompanies were able to find new owners and how sition. We are focused on quickly identifying these ismany of their employees kept their jobs? sues and alerting the relevant institutions so that they - The best illustration of our work is of a company called can tackle them urgently.

Vršački Vinogradi (The Vršac Vineyards) which we helped present at the 78th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad. We offered several British investment funds, that • How many available locations are there for investors visited Vojvodina in late May, to buy a stake in the comwho want an infrastructurally fully equipped land plot? pany. We pay close attention to companies that have - Most of the municipalities have locations suitable for declared bankruptcy and those which had their privatieither greenfield or brownfield investments, but, out of zation agreements terminated in an effort to help these 45 municipalities in Vojvodina, only 10 have locations companies to return to the market, so to speak, and find that have complete infrastructure. The infrastructure new owners. This initiative did yield results and we have in certain municipalities is not sufficiently developed talked to potential investors who are interested in inand that is an aggravating circumstance if we are talking vesting. However, we need to be persistant since the about new investments. Truth be told, we did encounter said companies are undergoing a consolidation process different situations like, for example, an investor who right now. We are currently working with several comwas more than willing to wait until an industrial zone panies that are going through bankruptcy procedures had proper infrastructure. Realistically speaking, if we like Istra Kula, the Sremska Mitrovica Shipyard, Kulski consider all our projects, that seldomly happens. ■

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ADA

ALIBUNAR

APATIN

Textile Industry Well Developed Network Centre The municipality is the regional centre of the metal processing and textile industries

The municipality of Alibunar has a well-developed network of roads and there is also a railway network

The municipality of Ada is situated in North Vojvodina. Agriculture is the main economic branch here, along with the food processing industry. The municipality is the regional centre of the metal processing and textile industries. It covers an area of 228.6 square kilometres and has 18,998 inhabitants.

The municipality has a well-developed transport network. Local roads are of good quality, which is especially important for transit traffic and its re-location from the centre of Ada. When it comes to railway transport, the municipality has a one-way regional railway track – Bečej-Ada-Senta, which is currently not functional. There is also the Tisa River, which is open for two-way transport all year around.

800 metres from the centre of Ada, there is a well-designed marina for smaller boats. Also, 700 metres from Ada in the direction of the Tisa River, on the right-hand side, there is a runway for small planes and a ground for aircraft models.

The industrial zone is only 75 kilometres from Novi Sad, 150 kilometres from Belgrade, 45

The municipality of Alibunar is located in the central part of South Banat, although administratively it belongs to South Bačka County. The municipality covers an area of 602 square kilometres and is located at the intersection of roads leading from Belgrade to the state border with Romania. The municipality is made of 10 small towns and villages, namely: Alibunar, Banatski Karlovac, Vladimirovac, Dobrica, Ilandža, Janošik, Lokve, Nikolinci, and Seleuš. Total population is close to 23,000. The municipality of Alibunar has a well-developed network of roads and there is also a railway network, with the main track

kilometres from the Hungarian border and 65 kilometres from the Romanian border. The zone’s total surface is 105 hectares. The municipality owns 45 hectares, in addition to 40 hectares in the existing zone, while the rest, 70 hectares, is privately owned. The water supply lines, gas supply, electricity, sewage, phone lines, Internet, railway line, and a local road that leads to the R-122 regional road are all nearby.

Developed and Attractive Apatin is considered one of the most developed and most attractive municipalities in Serbia The municipality of Apatin is located in West Bačka. It covers an area of 333 square kilometres and has 32,813 inhabitants. Apatin lies on the pan-European Corridor 7, while Corridors 10, 5, and 4 are all nearby, which makes Apatin a very accessible municipality. There is a plan to build a port that will have international status and will be included in the regional integral transport and logistics network. If we consider the municipality’s business, tourist, sport, and recreational facilities, Apatin is considered one of the most developed and most attractive municipalities in Serbia. The town has a spa and wellness centre.

The municipality has an industrial zone covering 160 hectares of land (owned by the municipal authorities), which also has an internal road and complete utility infrastructure on the zone’s outskirts Also, there is the possibility of building a free zone and an industrial park. The most important investment in the municipality is the construction of an intermodal (goods and transport) centre and a port. Apatin also has the first international marina in Serbia, which has 400

Belgrade – Vršac – state border with Romania.

The municipality encourages development of agriculture, industry, and tourism, as well as creating a favourable environment for advancing private entrepreneurship, and small and medium enterprises. There are 44,000 hectares of arable land, with 34,000 hectares privately-owned.

LOCATION 1: Industrial Zone 1 – Alibunar; Total area: 95 acres LOCATION 2: Industrial Zone 2 – Alibunar; Total area: 3 acres LOCATION 3: Industrial Zone 3 – Alibunar; Total area: 83 hectares LOCATION 4: Industrial Zone 4 - Banatski Karlovac; Total area: 2 hectares Industrial zones are registered as ‘undeveloped land’. Land lease is possible and the required planning and regulatory documentation already exists. If an investor submits all required documents the municipal authorities will issue a building permit in up to 8 days.

berths (120 especially made for yachts). In addition to this facility, the municipality has a port for passenger ships.

In addition to incentives for both domestic and foreign investors, the municipality provides incentives in terms of payment of utility fees, lease of construction lots, and exemption from paying spatial planning fees and building permits.

contact ZOLTAN BILICKI,

contact SLAĐANA VUKAJLOVIĆ,

contact SNEŽANA MILEŠEVIĆ,

President of the Municipality of Ada Trg Oslobodjenja 1; 24430 Ada Tel: +381(0) 24/852-106; Fax:+381(0)24/853-342 E-mail: predsednik@ada.org.rs; Website:www.ada.org.rs Languages: Hungarian, English, German

Technical Secretary Trg Slobode 4; 26310 Alibunar Tel: +381 (0)13/642-105; E-mail: alskupstina@hemo.net Website: www.alibunar.org.rs; Languages: English and German

Local economic development coordinator Srpskih Vladara 29; 25260 Apatin Tel: +381(0)25 / 772-122 / extension 618 E-mail: snezana.arh@gmail.comWebsite: www.soapatin.org Languages: Serbian, English, German and Italian

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BAČ

BAČKA PALANKA

Established Successful Companies The municipality has 7,000 hectares under forests, which is suitable for hunting tourism The municipality of Bač covers an area of 365 square kilometres. The municipality’s territory is intersected by the Danube-Tisa-Danube Canal (DTD Canal), which connects the municipality to ports in Bogojevo and Novi Sad. Bač is in close proximity to the main transport routes, i.e. Corridors 10 and 7. The municipality is 62 kilometres from Novi Sad and 140 kilometres from Belgrade.

The most dominant economic branch and the one that brings the biggest revenue to the municipal budget is certainly agriculture. Arable land covers a total of 24,000 hectares. The processing industry takes second place, followed by retail, construction, and transport. The processing industry is mostly based on food processing. Also, there is a metal processing industry and electrical equipment production in the municipality. With regards to construction, there are quite a few successful companies such as Slovan Progres, Bager Promet, and others. The municipality has 7,000 hectares under forests, which is suitable for hunting tourism.

The small business zone in Bač (the so-called work zone) covers 24 hectares, and despite its excellent location, is underutilized. Hence, local authorities have been engaged in promoting the zone’s competitive advantages, providing benefits for launching production and incentives when it comes to selecting the most suitable land plots, as well as incentives for obtaining required approvals and building permits.

BAČKA TOPLA

Across From Croatia

Industrial Tradition

The municipality has an exceptionally favourable geographical position

The first industrial park and logistics centre in Vojvodina has been built in Bačka Topola

The municipality of Bačka Palanka occupies an area of 579 km2. The municipality has an exceptionally favourable geographical position, due to its proximity to the River Danube, and to the fact that the municipality lies at the intersection of important roads. The municipality has a bridge which connects it with the Republic of Croatia.

The territory is intersected by many channels of the Danube-Tisa-Danube network. Bačka Palanka is a border municipality that’s just a river bank away from the Republic of Croatia. The Danube River has both transport and tourist potential.

The municipality and the town of Bačka Palaka have been traditionally engaged in the following economy sectors: textile industry (Sintelon carpet manufacturer), production of electric installation materials, leather processing industry, metal processing, food processing industry and tourism.

The initial lease fee for land owned by the municipality and the town of Bačka Palanka is 2.38 dinars per square metre in the first zone.

The selling price of the land plot is between 1,142 and 1,543 dinars per square metre, while in the case of Čelarevo it is 206 dinars per square metre and 36.5 dinars per square metre in other municipal towns and villages. The lease price of office premises is 180 dinars per square metre, and 1.5 euros per square metre for leasing a production hall. The selling price per square metre of a production hall ranges from 300 to 500 euros per square metre.

The municipality of Bačka Topola is situated in Central Bačka and covers an area of 596 square kilometres. Bačka Topola is 32 kilometres from Subotica and 40 kilometres from Senta. The municipality has 38,000 inhabitants, 24,328 of which are work-capable.

The municipality has a long industrial tradition and boasts several successful companies that could attract a further influx of working capital. Agriculture is the most dominant economic branch, with several industrial sectors also active. When it comes to the metal-processing industry there is a steel foundry, production of wood cutting tools, ironmongery, electrical metal processing, and chain and metal production. Bačka Topola has great tourist potential.

The first industrial park and logistics centre (VIP – LC) in Vojvodina has been built in Bačka Topola. The park has a direct access to the railway. The zone is 146 kilometres from Belgrade and 71 kilometres from Novi Sad. The National Investment Plan envisages the construction of several new roads although the site is near exising transport links.

The industrial zone’s covers 124 hectares, with 119 hectares already used. There is the possibility of extending the zone to include an additional 500 hectares. The existing zone has infrastructure, and there are plans to construct additional infrastructure.

The deadline for issuing permits is between 30 and 60 days. Local self-government is available to all potential investors.

contact TOMISLAV BOGUNOVIĆ,

contact KOSTA STAKIĆ,

contact MONIKA KOKAI,

M.Ba. President of the Municipality of Bač Trg dr Zorana Đinđića br. 2; 21420 Bač, Tel: +381(0)21/770-170, Fax: +381(0)21 /770-330 Website: www.bac.rs; E-mail: predsednik@bac.rs, info@bac.rs Languages: English and Slovakian

President of the Municipality of Bačka Palanka 16, Kralja Petra I; 21400 Bačka Palanka Tel: +381(0) 21/7559-192; Fax: +381(0) 21/6045-587 E-mail: predsednikopstine@backapalanka.org.rs Website: www.backapalanka.rs; Language: English

director of VIP-LC d.o.o.

1, Svetosavska; 24300 Bačka Topola Tel: +381(0) 24/713-506; Fax: +381(0) 24/715-918 E-mail: kokai.monika@viplc-backatopola.com; Website: www.btopola.org.rs; Languages: Hungarian and English

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THE INVESTMENT GUIDE

Vojvodina in Focus

The Most Fertile Agricultural Land

BEČEJ

The following branches are most suitable for investors: agricultural production, metal processing industry, metal products manufacturing, and confectionary

T

BEČEJ SPA he municipality of Bečej stretches across 487 The implementation of this project entails the square kilometres, with apopulation of over construction of a commercial spa with a medical 43,000. The municipality’s advantages are the prevention unit, a unit for rehabilitation and treatfollowing: excellent geographic position, river, railment for coronary patients, a diagnostics centre, a way, and road transport, , proximity to the E-75 inmedical treatment centre for athletes, a relaxation ternational motorway (Budapest – Athens), 86% of (wellness) unit and several other sports and caterentire land is arable and highly fertile (black soil and ing facilities. The entire complex will have all the meadow black soil), a long tradition in agriculture, required infrastructure. metal processing and rubber manufacture, qualified work force, thermal springs, the Local Action Plan INFORMATION FOR INVESTORS (LEAP), the Local Sustainable Development Strategy The industrial zone is fully prepared for greenand the Strategy for Economic Development of the field investments. The municipality provides incenMunicipality of Bečej, all written and adopted by tives for those investors who create a substantial local authorities. The municipality plans to comnumber of new jobs. The following branches are plete the Detailed Regulation Plan by June 2010. most suitable for investors: Bečej has a total of 44,000 Bečej is providing agricultural production, hectares of arable land, with over 2,500 registered incentives for those investors metal processing industry, metal products manufacfarms and close to 20 agwho create a substantial turing, and confectionary. ricultural cooperatives. number of new jobs According to 2008 data, DEADLINES AND PERMITS the total number of employees is 9,210, and, acIt takes up to 8 days for the municipality to iscording to data from April 2009, there are 4,483 sue information on a certain location and a conunemployed persons. There are also two thermal struction works notice. It takes 60 days to obtain springs in the municipality. a location permit. The conversion of utility rights into ownership rights over a construction land is INDUSTRIAL ZONE carried out by the local Land Office, while an inThe Bečej industrial zone is distributed bevestor is required to provide a project’s blueprint tween three locations: Location 1 / Block 124 (3.5 along with the report on executed technical conhectares), Location 2 / a section of Block 129 (close trol. An investor also needs to submit proof to the to 19.5 hectares), and Location 3 / Blocks 130 and public enterprise Stankom from Bečej that he has 131 (21 hectares). The zone is 120 kilometres from paid the land development fee. The municipality the airport, 500 metres from the R-122 and M-3 will give its opinion on the project’s environmenregional roads and 30 kilometres from the motortal impact, as well as issue a building permit withway. Also, the Great Bačka Canal runs through the in 30 days from the day an investor has submitindustrial zone, but the canal is navigable only for ted his request. small boats, while the Tisa River is some 20 kilometres away. Locations 1 and 2 are suitable for indusIMPORTANT INVESTORS trial facilities, while Location 3 is ideal for port faThe most important investors in the municicilities. There are 12 land plots in Block 124, all of pality of Bečej are the following: KTC, Linde Gas them leased to arts and crafts companies. Arable Srbija, Victoria Group, Phiwa, Union, Kovax, Termo land in Blocks 131 and 135 can be transformed into Konstruktor, Motortrading, Kataduzo, Delta Real construction plots. This land is partly owned by the Estate, Rosiva, and Varomont. ■ Republic of Serbia and partly by private owners.

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PETER KNEZI President of the Municipality of Bečej

“The municipal industrial zone is fully prepared for greenfield investments”

contact: DUŠAN RADIVOJEVIĆ a member of the Municipal Council 2, Trg Oslobođenja 21220 Bečej Tel: +381(0)21/6911-720 Mob: +381(0)64/8959-004 E- mail: radivojevic@becej.co.rs Website: www.becej.rs Languages: Hungarian, English

BAČKI PETROVAC

BELA CRKVA

Agro-industrial Recreation and Agriculture Centre The metal processing industry is also developed, particularly its stainless equipment segment

The municipality’s most important economic branches are agriculture and tourism

The municipality of Bački Petrovac is located in south Bačka. It covers 158 square kilometres, and disposes of highly fertile land. The municipality’s population is 14,681. The transport infrastructure is good with good highway links, international railway tracks, the Danube River, and the navigable DTD Canal.

The municipality’s terrain is flat, and so economically and industrially, is classified as an agro-industrial centre. Agriculture is the most developed economic branch here. The entire region is suitable for agricultural activities. The main industrial branches here are the food processing industry and metal and chemical processing. The metal processing industry is also developed, particularly its stainless equipment segment.

The municipality is made of four populated areas and each of them has relevant spatial planning documentation with special sections designated for work (industrial) zones.

The industrial zone in the municipality’s centre, Bački Petrovac, is partially equipped. The plan is to build a port here for barges. In the south

The municipality of Bela Crkva is a Danubian lowland border municipality located in the northeastern part of Serbia.

Geographically, the municipality is surrounded by the hills of the Carpathian Mountains, the Vršačke Mountains, the Danube, and partially by the Pannonian Plain. Bela Crkva covers an area of 353 square kilometres and is comprised of 14 smaller towns and villages. The municipality’s population is 20,637, is 106 kilometres east of Belgrade and has numerous transport links.

section of the industrial zone there is the Novi Sad-Sombor railway line.

Most of the arable land is privately-owned.

Municipal authorities have to buy the land, constitute construction plots, and offer these plots to potential investors. Once a land plot for construction of an industrial facility is acquired, it takes approximately 60 days for the required urban planning and technical documents to be issued.

The municipality’s most important economic branches are agriculture and tourism. Arable land is the biggest natural resource in the municipality, covering 77% of the municipality’s total territory. The entire area stretches across 35,345 hectares, with 21,499 hectares covered in plough land, 6,158 hectares in pastures and meadows, 160 hectares in vineyards and orchards, and 2,704 hectares in forests. As for tourism development, the biggest potential lies in seven crystal- clear lakes covering 150 hectares. Also, there is the Labudovo Okno locality, which covers 360 hectares of the Deliblatska Sand Pit. This location is suitable for hunting, fishing, sports, and recreational activities.

The Nera Industrial Park is located in the existing industrial zone, which covers an area of over 14.26 hectares. The zone, with its existing infrastructure, is perfect for developing business, production, and warehouse facilities. The municipality offers the lowest lease rates.

BEOČIN

Excellent Geographic Position The municipality of Beočin is one of the most industrially-developed municipalities in Vojvodina The municipality of Beočin is located on the banks of the Danube River at the foot of Fruška Gora, 17 kilometres from Novi Sad. The municipality covers an area of 183 square kilometres with a total population of 16,398 inhabitants. The entire municipality has an excellent geographic position and good commuting links.

There is the state route (second class) 107, which leads all the way to the border with Croatia.

The municipality of Beočin is one of the most industrially-developed municipalities in Vojvodina. A good geographic position, a moderate continental climate, and quality land are all suitable for diverse agricultural production.

46.5% of the entire municipal land (18,587 hectares) is agricultural land. This area is ideal for organic food production and the municipality is also known for its wines.

The municipality of Beočin can offer available areas in a 20-hectare industrial park, with a complete infrastructure, a port, and a cargo railway which operates within the Lafarge Company.

Also, municipal authorities can provide reduced utility and infrastructure costs. Beočin has available land plots in the industrial zone suitable both for industry and retail. In collaboration with the Institute for Agriculture Economy in Belgrade, local authorities have drawn up a document relevant to the municipality’s development and future investors called “Development Strategy for the Municipality of Beočin” (2008-2011).

contact VLADIMIR TURAN,

contact ŽELJKO CRNOGORAC,

contact BOGDAN CVEJIĆ,

President of the Municipality of Bački Petrovac Kolarova 6, 21470 Bački Petrovac Tel: +381 (0)21/780-247; Fax: +381 (0)21/780-571 E-mail: opstina@backipetrovac.rs Website: www.backipetrovac.rs

President of the Municipality of Bela Crkva Miletićeva 2, 26340 Bela Crkva Tel: +381 (0)13/ 851-224; Fax: +381 (0)13/851-346 E-mail:opstinabc@neobee.net; Website: www.belacrkva.info Languages: English and Romanian

President of the Municipality of Beocin Svetosavska 25, 21300 Beočin Tel: +381(0)21/870-537 E-mail: bogdan.cvejić@beocin.rs; Website: www.beocin.rs Languages: English, Russian, German

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ČOKA

INĐIJA

IRIG

Undustrial Zone Amongst Best Underdeveloped in Europe Čoka is a multiethnic community with a mostly Hungarian population The municipality of Čoka lies on the left bank of the Tisa River in northern Vojvodina. The municipality is 180 kilometres from Belgrade, 100 kilometres from Novi Sad, 170 kilometres west of Timisoara, and 60 kilometres south of Szeged. The municipality borders with Novi Kneževac in the north, Kikinda in the east and Senta and Ada in the west. The municipality stretches 321 square kilometres. According to the last census, the municipality has 13,832 inhabitants. Čoka is a multiethnic community with a mostly Hungarian population (51.56% of the municipality’s population), followed by Serbs (37.36%).

The main economic branches in the municipality are: agriculture, metal processing, basic tobacco processing, and the manufacture of plastic products. The share that processing and production have in the municipality’s revenue is below the state average, with agriculture being dominant. Agricultural land (both arable and non-arable) covers an area of 29,000 hectares, which is almost 90% of the entire municipality’s territory. State-owned land covers 12,000 hectares and it is mostly used by agricultural companies.

Čoka’s industrial zone is registered as ‘undeveloped construction land’. The zone is located between Senta and Čoka, just 50 metres from the main road M-24 and railway line and 3 km from the Tisa River. The infrastructure is under construction.

The shortest period for obtaining all required permits and approvals for construction in the zone is five months.

In 2008 Inđija was the recipient of a Financial Times Award

The municipality of Inđija, which stretches across 385 square kilometres, is situated in the autonomous province of Vojvodina. In 2008, Inđija was the recipient of the Financial Times Award for the 18th-best location for foreign investments in Europe. The criteria for this award are exactly those that investors look for the most: investment conditions, economic potential, previous investments, a number of newly created jobs, and economic reforms.

Inđija has two fully-functional industrial zones.

The northeast zone covers an area of 281.42 hectares and is 2 kilometres from the centre of Inđija.

The zone has complete utility infrastructure and is ideal for developing a duty-free area. The southeast zone stretches across 100 hectares. This zone is also fully equipped, utility-wise. There are no underground waters, so the land here is suitable for building large facilities. Also, municipal authorities plan to build a bypass in the zone in order to re-direct traffic from Inđija.

Inđija offers the lowest prices of construction land with utility structures. If an investor has picked a land plot, designed a construction plan, and carried out an environmental impact analysis, the municipality will issue its approval within 60 days.

There is also the so-called Italian Industrial Zone that covers an area of 98 hectares of industrial land, has available construction upto 2000,000 square metres. The zone has transport infrastructure, sewage and electricity supply.

Small Diverse Economy Irig is one of Vojvodina’s smallest municipalities, covering an area of 230 km2 Irig is one of Vojvodina’s smallest municipalities, covering an area of 230 km². The town of Irig is the municipal administrative centre. The municipality of Irig is 60 km from Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla International Airport and 20 km from Novi Sad. Irig is well-connected to all major transport arteries. This multi-ethnic municipality has a population of 12,329.

Irig’s economy is very diverse, the most dominant branch being agriculture. Aside from agriculture, there are other economic branches like food and metal processing industries, retail, construction, and catering with developing tourism.

The strategic development aim of agriculture in Irig is to adjust the production structure to natural conditions. The ultimate goal is to provide top-quality raw material for the processing industry from primary agricultural production.

The metalworking industry is primarily concentrated in Vrdnik, while the Fruška Gora National Park occupies the major part of the municipal territory and is one of the most attractive places in Serbia.

The working zone in Irig covers an area of 162 hectares, with 23 hectares owned by the municipal authorities. There is a plan to build an infrastructure in this zone, suitable for small enterprises. The zone is located near the M-21 main road (Novi Sad – Ruma – Šabac). The zone has electricity and water supply, and the gas supply pipeline is partially complete. All documents and permits can be obtained within 45 days.

contact PREDRAG MIJIĆ,

contact GORAN JEŠIĆ,

contact VLADIMIR PETROVIĆ,

President of the Municipality of Čoka Potiska 20; 23320 Čoka Tel.: +381(0)230/71-000; Fax: +381(0)230/71-175 e-mail: opstina@coka.rs; Website : www.coka.rs Languages: English

President of the Municipality of Indjija Cara Dušana 1, 22320 Inđija Tel: +381(0) 22/561-301; E-mail: gjesic@indjija.net Website: www.indjija.net Languages: English, German, Italian

Municipality’s president Vojvode Putnika 1, 22406 Irig Tel: +381(0)22/461-010; Fax: +381(0)22/462-035 E-mail: soirig@neobee.net; Website: www.irig.rs Languages: English and Russian

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KANJIŽA

Border Region Agriculture, food processing industry, construction materials production, domestic and international cargo transport and spa tourism are all quite developed here

MIHALY NYLAS President of the Municipality of Kanjiža

“Office in accordance with the onestop-shop system”

contact: THE LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT OFFICE Glavni trg 1 24420 Kanjiža Tel: +381 24 873-442 Fax: +381 24 873-016 Mob: 064 8062093 E-mail: invest@kanjiza.rs Website: www.kanjiza.rs/invest Languages: English, German, Hungarian

HORGOŠ INDUSTRIAL PARK The municipality of Kanjiža is a small border Surface: 25 hectares; Ownership: public propregion in north Vojvodina that is comprised of erty of municipality of Kanjiža; Regulated by: the thirteen towns and villages located on the right Detailed Regulation Plan. Suitable for: clean inbank of the river Tisa. It is close to Corridor X, and dustries, logistics, services.Accessibility: Corridor situated on the EGK 4 Corridor (the river Tisa). The X (E75), R-119. municipality is well connected to neighbouring River Tisa - 18 km, Border crossing (Serbiaareas via the E-75 international motorway, main Hungary) – 4 km, Construction of comprehensive roads M-22 and M-24, and regional roads R-119, infrastructure is pending.

R-111 and R-119.3.

Kanjiža has a river border crossing and the KANJIŽA river Tisa has good poINDUSTRIAL ZONE tential as an internationSurface: 3 hectares; al river that runs through Ownership: public property the Danube countries. of municipality of Kanjiža; The cargo dock is locatRegulated by: The Detailed ed in Senta, which is 25 Regulation Plan; Suitable km from the municipalifor: clean industries, servty’s centre. ices; Accessibility: R-119 The municipality covand R-111 roads. ers an area of 400 km2 River Tisa - 2 and has over 27,000 km, Border crossing residents. Kanjiža is Kanjiža is the municipality’s the municipality’s adadministrative centre and it has (Serbia-Hungary) – 14 km, Railway station – ministrative centre 11,000 inhabitants 500 m and it has 11,000 inhabitants. Kanjiža is INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, also the regional centre FORMER G.I.K. due to its close proximBUDUĆNOST ity to the River Tisa and Surface: 5 hectares (10 the Horgoš border crossfacilities from 300 to 4,600 ing (on the Serbian – m2); Suitable for: clean inHungarian state border). dustries, services; A g r i c u l t u re, fo o d Accessibility: R-119 processing industry, conand R-111 roads.; River struction materials proTisa - 2 km, Border crossduction, domestic and ining (Serbia-Hungary) – 14 km, Railway station – ternational cargo transport and spa tourism are 500 m; Complete infrastructure in place. The Local all quite developed here. There are also oil, clay, Economic Development and Investment Office opgas and thermal water deposits beneath the fererates under the office of the municipal president tile land. Apart from the exceptional opportuniin accordance with the one-stop-shop system. Time ties for greenfield investments, brownfield investneeded to obtain permits – up to six months. ments are also welcome since there is an industrial complex that stretches across 5 hectares of IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS land, greenhouses, agricultural facilities and the TONDACH – Austria: TEGOLA CANADESE – Italy, possibility of acquiring companies that have deBRANTNER – Austria, MERCATOR - Slovenia. ■ clared bankruptcy.

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Vojvodina in Focus

Export Orientated Economy

KIKINDA

Kikinda is the centre of the metal -processing industry in Vojvodina

T

he Municipality of Kikinda is located at the border with the European Union and is the biggest Serbian municipality along the state border with Romania. Kikinda is the administrative centre of North Banat County and it has received its town status back at the time of Empress Maria Theresa.

Kikinda is located on the crossroads of the panEuropean corridors VII and X and is one of the main land links between Europe and Asia. The municipality covers an area of 88,361 square kilometres, has acres and acres of fertile farmland in the north and mountains and hills in the south.

The town is 130 km away from Belgrade and 100 km from the border with Hungary. It has access to the Danube-Tisa-Danube canal. Kikinda and neighbouring villages have 67,002 residents (according to the 2002 census). The population is multi-ethnic and there are 16 different nationalities living. The average age here is 39.2 years and there are 71 residents per square kilometre.

SUCCESSFUL INVESTMENTS Cimos, Slovenia – Kikinda Foundry; Banini Trade – Banini Kikinda; Lilly Drogerie – Toza Marković; Le Beller, France – Le Beller Kikinda; Agrokor, Croatia – Kikindski Mlin; Euro export – Prima produkt pogon Kikinda; International, Austria – ASA Kikinda; Bongrain, France – Kikinda Dairy Industry; Walter Rudolf, Germany – Angropromet

WORK ZONES BLOCK 41 and 43 - Total surface 18 hectares, owned by municipality of Kikinda, 700 metres from the M-3 main road, near a railroad. Suitable for sports and recreation; BLOCK NINE Total surface 43 km, owned by municipality of Kikinda, SC Jezero and several individuals, 1 km from the M-4 road, and 3.5 km from M-24. Location is suitable for sports, tourism and residential housing; BLOCK 33 - Total surface 1,39 hectares, owned by the Kikinda Land Development Agency, 2 km from town centre.

A working zone, suitable for food processing industry and complimentary activities, has a green barriECONOMIC er; SECTION OF BLOCK 44 INDICATORS - Total surface 2,3 hectares, Kikinda is the centre of the metal processing Kikinda is the administrative centre owned by the municindustry in Vojvodina. of North Banat County and it has ipality and individuIt also has a well-dereceived its town status back at the als, suitable for construction of work faciliveloped construction time of Empress Maria Theresa ties, and small and mematerials industry and dium-size production plants; BLOCK 48 - Total surthe biggest oil and gas deposits in Serbia. Also, face around 90 hectares, privately owned, envisthere is 79,596 hectares of farmland and 1,364 aged as a production-storage-trading zone; BLOCK registered companies.

C2 - Owned by the municipality, total surface 1,2 For years, Kikinda’s economy has been exporthectares, suitable for residential and business facilorientated and has been recording a surplus in ities; BLOCK 26 - Owned by the municipality, suitaforeign trading. Last year, the biggest export prodble for business facilities. ucts were acetic acid, methanol, car and engine Increasing employment both on local and regionparts, breaks, socks, ceramic roof tiles and parts al levels, investors being socially responsible, investof car chassis. ing in environmental and innovative technologies Kikinda’s companies mostly export to Slovenia, and advancing the living standard are the main criteGermany, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, ria for investing in the municipality of Kikinda. ■ Belgium and several other foreign countries.

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ILIJA VOJINOVIĆ President of the municipality of Kikinda

“Openness to investments is the foundation for municipality’s development”

contact: PROJECT UNIT Trg srpskih dobrovoljaca 12 23 300 Kikinda Tel: +3810230 410-158 Fax: +3810230 410-158 E –mail: borislav.cucic@kikinda.org.rs info@kikinda.org.rs Website: www.kikinda.rs

KOVAČICA

KOVIN

Favourable Land Prices

Diverse Potential

Foreign investors find Kovačica very appealing because of its close proximity to metropolitan areas

Great development potential lies in the Deliblatska Sand Pit and the Danube River

The municipality of Kovačica is situated in the southeastern part of Vojvodina and covers an area of 419 square kilometres. The town of Kovačica is its administrative and geographic centre. A 15 kilometre-section of the Tamis River runs through the northwestern part of the municipality, while the eastern part is located in the Deliblatska Sand Pit. The processing industry and agriculture are the most developed economic branches here.

Arable land takes up 84.02% of the entire municipal territory. It is mostly comprised of firstclass plough land, vineyards, and meadows. Over 4/5 of the arable land is so-called ‘chernozem,’ the most fertile soil in the Pannonian Plain, which yields excellent crops.

Foreign investors find Kovačica very appealing because of its close proximity to metropolitan areas (Pančevo, Belgrade, Zrenjanin, Novi Sad) and main transport routes, coupled with its strong business tradition and available workforce. The industrial zone is located on the outskirts of Kovačica near the M-24 regional road (Zrenjanin – Pančevo), Kovačica-Debeljača local

road, and the Pančevo-Zrenjanin-Kikinda regional railway. The zone is divided into blocks which cover 1.033.900 m2 total.

The municipality offers incentives for investors, such as the low price per square metre of land, cheap utility services, and no municipal utility taxes and fees. Municipal authorities can issue required permits and documents in the shortest possible time.

The municipality of Kovin is located in South Banat, covering an area of 725 square kilometres and has 36,802 inhabitants. The municipality has an excellent transport and geographic position. Also, there is an airport runway that can be a potentially important infrastructural facility. In the south, the municipality borders on the Danube River.

Agriculture is the main economic potential with 42,950 hectares of high-quality plough land. In addition, there are newly-discovered coal, gravel, and

peat deposits. Even with such resources, the municipality is considered underdeveloped.

Great development potential lies in the Deliblatska Sand Pit and the Danube River. The section of the Danube River (50 kilometres long), and the Deliblatska Sand Pit (30,000 hectares) are covered in lush forests and abundant flora and fauna, both considered unique natural phenomena in Europe. The spatial plan envisages construction of an international port on the Danube, several marinas, and two wind farms. Also, there are opportunities to invest in the construction of new production facilities.

The industrial zone is connected directly to the first-class national motorway (M-24). Industrial Block 119, located to the rear of the planned port, stretches over 30 hectares. There are various incentives for investors, including a reduced land development fee and favourable land regulation fees, coupled with a reduced fee for unequipped construction plots and various employment incentives.

KULA

Tourism Development Project Kula’s municipal authorities have drawn up a tourism development project The municipality of Kula is situated in West Bačka County between Novi Sad, Sombor, and Subotica. Belgrade is 132 kilometres away, while the border crossing with Hungary is 66 kilometres away. The Danube River is 38 kilometres away.

Agricultural land makes up 91.44% (or 43,348 hectares) of the land here. A total of 10,059 hectares of arable land is owned by the municipality.

Due to the municipality’s natural potential and agricultural production dominates over manufacturing, with food processing being most developed. In addition to arable land, there are thermal springs.

Kula’s municipal authorities have drawn up a tourism development project, which entails construction of a swimming pool, a recreational spa centre, and an artificial lake with sport grounds. All utility prerequisites have been met in order to build a sports and recreational centre near the Mountain Lodge that is going to have an artificial lake and stretch over 24 hectares of land.

The Block 66 industrial zone covers an area of 85.85 hectares. The land in Block 66, in Kula, is treat-

ed as urban construction land suitable for industrial and arts and crafts facilities, as well as warehouses and depositories. The industrial zones Blocks 3, 4, and 5 and a part of the Block 10 stretch across 78 hectares and are 66 kilometres away from the Hungary border crossing.

The shortest possible period necessary for obtaining all the required permits and approvals for on-site construction is 15 days.

contact MIROSLAV KRIŠAN,

contact SLAVKO BRANKOVIĆ, President of

contact SVETOZAR BUKVIĆ,

President of the Municipality of Kovačica Maršala Tita 50; 26210 Kovačica Tel: +381(0)13/661-122; Fax: +381(0)13/661-047 E-mail: razvoj@kovacica.org; Website: www.kovacica.org Languages: Slovak, English, Hungarian, Romanian

the Municipality of Kovin JNA 5; 26220 Kovin Tel: +381(0)13-742-114; Faks +381(0)13/742-322 E-mail: predsednik@kovin.org.rs; Website: www.kovin.org.rs Languages: English, Russian, Hungarian, Romanian, German

President of the Municipality of Kula Lenjinova 11; 25230 Kula Tel: +381(0)25/722-220; Fax: +381(0)25/722-273 E- mail: svetobukvic@gmail.com Website: www.kula.rs

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Small Steps

MALI IĐOŠ

The industrial zone takes up 40ha in its first phase, out of which 20ha are for equipment with infrastructure

W

BUSINESS PARK In the triangle between the E-75 highway, M22 trunk road and the south part of Feketić, there is Small Steps industrial park, completely ready for local and foreign investment.

The industrial zone takes up 40ha in its first phase, out of which 20ha are for equipment with infrastructure.

A pole-mounted substation has been working in the centre of the park since 2010. Ring powering of the zone, as well as the construction of a concrete mounting substation is happening this year. The construction of the zone’s main road, which is adjacent to the M22 trunk road, is being finished.

TRAFFIC NETWORK ‘PTP Julia mlin’ is the On the E-75 highway, in first investor in the inthe close vicinity of the setdustrial zone, and it starts tlement, there is the Feketić working at full capacity road junction and the future next year.

Mali Iđoš junction.

Purchases, selling and The distance between renting the real-estate, proMali Iđoš and Surčin airjecting, reconstruction, conport is 145 km; there are struction of future objects, 38 km to Čenej airport and engineering, financial and 50km to the Danube Port in tax consulting, market surNovi Sad. The railway road veys, foreign-trade exBelgrade- Budapest passchange and marketing afes through the municipalifairs are being conductty, and there are railway Investors can obtain ed in the industrial zone. stations in Mali Iđoš and construction and reconstruction Investors can obtain Lovćenac. construction and reconThe Krivaja River permits within 48 hours struction permits within flows through the territo48 hours. The zone investor benefit fee for thery of the municipality, from north to south, cutting firm, not paid in the first five years. the settlements on several occasions and flowing Agriculture is the main economic branch, siginto the canal. After the Danube and the Tisa, the nificant for the development of food industry and Krivaja is the biggest river in Bačka. foundation of small and medium trade companies.

There are a lot of free labour forces in the TOURISM leather, metal and food industries.

Traditional Days of Sour Cherries and Dombosfest, an all-arts festival in Mali Iđoš, is INVESTORS held in Feketić.

Wienerberger, Agrokons, Građamont, Montel, The tourism and recreational centre Zobnatica, Montrom, Chik-Prom, Big-Chick, Agriromagna, with a 200-year long history of stud-breeding, is a DTD Ribarstvo. ■ reasonable distance away. ith 18,100 ha of area, the municipality of Mali Iđoš is one the smallest in Vojvodina. It consists of three settlements: Mali Iđoš, Lovćenac and Feketić.

It is located next to an international highway which connects Belgrade and Budapest. It is 48 km away from Subotica and 50 km from Novi Sad. The settlements within the municipality are connected by the M22 SuboticaBelgrade trunk road, and just a few kilometres from the settlement of Feketić there is the new international highway E-75 which connects Serbia and Hungary.

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21

ROBERT CSORE President of the municipality of Mali Iđoš

“Fee on a firm is not being paid in the first five years”

contact: ZITA NAGY Diretor Small Steps Industrial Zone Municipality of Mali Iđoš Glavna 32, Vojvodina, Serbia Tel:+381(0) 24 730 214 opstina.maliidos@gmail.com small.steps.doo@gmail.com www.maliidos.com, www.kishegyes.com www.small-steps.biz Foreign languages: Serbian, Hungarian, English, German

NOVI SAD

Appealing Location There are 7,586 companies in Novi Sad, with most of them – 95.32% - being small privately-owned companies

N

IGOR PAVLIČIĆ Mayor of Novi Sad

“A city with strong economy and many corporate headquarters”

contact: GRAD NOVI SAD Žarka zrenjanina 2 21000 Novi Sad Tel:021/480 77 10; 480 77 84 Fax:021/480-77 10 Website: www.novisad.rs

pedent, mostly family-run companies. The dominant ovi Sad is the capital city of the Autonomous economic branches here are commerce, transport Province of Vojvodina and the second largand processing industry especially food, beverage, est city in Serbia. 20% of Vojvodina's poptobacco, paper and cellulose production. There are ulation lives in Novi Sad and its suburbus.

28 banks and 19 insurance companies in the city.

The city is located on the left bank of the River Danube, i.e. on part of the Danudes 1,255th kiloINVESTORS metres, in the south section of the Pannonian Plain.

Novi Sad is a very appealing location for inNovi Sad lies on the old Danubian road, in the vestors. There are German companeis like WAZ, place which has the best access to the Danube via Scholz GMBH, Sano GMBH, and Metro Cash&Carry, the the crossing from Bačka to Srem county where Greece-based EKO YU, Zesium the river is only 350 metres wide. According to the Mobile and Telsonic Group TRS from 2006 census, the Vojvodinian capital is made of 16 Switzerland, Mohammad settlements that cover a toAl Maghrabi from Saudi tal surface of 699 square Arabia, Dutch Levi 9 Global kilometres.

Sourcing, Slovenian comThe city is only an hours pany Merkur, Merkator, drive from Belgrade. It was Rodić MB, Tuš and Lesnina, first mentioned in the 17th Agrokor from Croatia, century (1694), which is two Fondiaria from Italy, RW years after the construction Panel S and many others. of the Petrovaradin Fortress began. It lies on the tri-rivTOURISM er area (between the Novi Sad is justly called a multiNovi Sad has all Danube, the Tisa and national, multi-cultural and multi- attributes of a strong the Sava) and is home tourist centre – it is to many different confessional metropolis where ethnic and religious differences are viewed as advantages located at the crossroads of the most imgroups. portant transport routes, there are the Petrovaradin The city of Novi Sad is made of two municiFortress, the old town centre, museums, granges, palities – Novi Sad and Petrovaradin. According to the Novi Sad Fair, while the Fruška Gora Mountain, the State Statistical Office and based on the 2002 with its 17 ancient monastries, is also nearby. The census, there are 299,294 people living in these monasteries were built between the 15th and 18th two municipalities and their suburbus. However, century as endowments of the Serbian rulers. The according to the unofficial data, close to 500,000 Fruška Gora National Park covers an area of 25,000 people live in Novi Sad and Petrovaradin today. hectares and is a nature reserve with rare flora and Novi Sad is justly called a multi-national, mulfauna, 14 lakes and 800 km of hiking trails. In adti-cultural and multi-confessional metropolis dition, granges in Čenej, Veternik, Begeč and Kać where differences are viewed as advantages. have become very appealing to tourists.

In 2006, Novi Sad became a member of the ECONOMY European Cities of Tourism organization.

Novi Sad has been recording strong economic growth over the past few years. There are EXIT 7,586 companies in the city, with most of them Officially the best music festival in Europe – – 95.32% - being small privately-owned comEXIT – is the most popular brand in Novi Sad topanies. If we look at company size, large compaday. Each year, 150,000 visitors come to the fesnies make 0.94% of that number, medium-sized tival, most of them foreigners, with a substantial 3.74% and small companies 95.32%. number of people coming from Great Britain. ■ At the same time, there are 13,941 small, inde22

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NOVA CRNJA

NOVI BEČEJ

Agriculture Dominating

Municipality in the Valley

Over half of the population (52.7%) generates income from agriculture and related activities

The municipality of Novi Bečej disposes of two industrial zones

The municipality of Nova Crnja is located in northeast Banat, and belongs to Central Banat County. In the west and northwest, it borders with the municipality of Kikinda, in the south with the municipality of Žitište, and in the northeast, Nova Crnja, is close to the Romanian border.The municipality of Nova Crnja covers an area of 273 square kilometres, and its population is 12,924.

People living in the municipality of Nova Crnja are mostly engaged in agriculture. Over half of the population (52.7%) generates income from agriculture and related activities. The municipality disposes of 2,600 hectares of arable land which is usually leased out.

The municipality has four locations suitable for industrial zones. The first is over 5 hectares, with complete infrastructure. The second is 11 hecatres and is suitable for the processing industry. The third is 10 hecatres, with complete infrastructure and is most suited for the tourism indusrtry due to the thermal springs, for which a feasibility study has been written containing data about the water’s composition, quality, and

temperature. The fourth location used to belong to the former sugar refinery. It has complete infrastructure and excellent production halls.

Favourable prices of construction land are an advantage to potential investors. The branches that the municipal authorities recommend for investing are the processing and tourism industries.

All required permits can be obtained with one month.

NOVI KNEŽEVAC

Urban and Rural Opportunities The municipal authorities can offer substantial incentives to potential investors

The municipality of Novi Bečej is situated in the valley of the Tisa River. It covers an area of 60,860 hectares, and lies on the left bank of the Tisa River, 66 kilometres from the Danube estuary. Novi Bečej is the only town whose centre is located on the river itself. The municipality has a well-developed infrastructure, including road and railway transport, energy, utilities, telecommunication and IT facilities.

Aside from the international river route, Novi Bečej is connected to the Danube River via a net-

The municipality of Novi Kneževac is located in the far north section of Banat County. The state border with Hungary is also the municipality’s north border. In the south, the municipality borders with Čoka. In the east, it borders with Romania, while the Tisa River constitutes its western border. The bridge on the river (between Novi Kneževac and Kanjiža), along with the one between Čoka and Senta, plays an important role in connecting north Banat to Bačka. Also, this section is a part of an international transit route that leads to the Horgoš-Reske border crossing.

Currently, a road between Crna Bara and Novi Kneževac is being built, which is a section of the future Banat Highway.

Municipal authorities recommend the following branches for investing: food processing, agriculture, and production of compost and bio-gas from agricultural waste. Due to the municipality’s proximity to the Hungarian and Romanian borders, there is great potential for the development of tourism, both urban and rural.

work of canals. A railway line passes through all towns and villages in the municipality connecting Belgrade and Timisoara via Pančevo, Zrenjanin and Kikinda, and Szeged via Subotica.

Although Novi Bečej is mainly an agricultural municipality, there are only a few plants processing agricultural produce. The most developed industrial branch is the production of construction materials, while there are also textile, chemical, metal and food processing industries. There are clay deposits suitable for the production of construction materials, and also thermal springs, natural carbondioxide and gas deposits, as well as an abundant cultural and historical heritage.

The municipality of Novi Bečej disposes of two industrial zones. In order to stimulate economic growth, investments. and the preservation of cultural heritage, and to create new jobs and improve environmental protection, investors can be exempt from paying a land development fee, providing they meet certain criteria.

There is a work zone in the municipality which stretches across 12 hectares. The various land plots are suitable for light industries like food processing.

The industrial zone has a partial infrastructure.

The municipal authorities can offer substantial incentives to potential investors, including a reduced rent fee for land plots, dependant on the number of local people employed. It takes local authorities 15 days to issue relevant permits.

contact BRANISLAV DAMJANOV,

contact TOMISLAV RATKOVIĆ,

contact DRAGAN BABIĆ,

Deputy President of the Municipality JNA 110, 23218 Nova Crnja Tel: +381 (0)23/815-030; Fax: +381(0)23/815-722 E-mail: sonc@gimelnet.rs; Website: www.sonovacrnja.org.rs Languages: English and Hungarian

Deputy President of Municipality Žarka Zrenjanina 8, 23272 Novi Bečej Tel: +381(0)23/772-320; Fax: +381(0)23/772-550 Website: www.novibecej.rs

President of the Municipality of Novi Kneževac Kralja Petra I Karađorđevića 1 23330 Novi Kneževac; Tel: +381(0)230/81-031 Fax: +381(0)230/82-076 E-mail: predsednik@noviknezevac.org.rs

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ODŽACI

Municipality Waiting for Investors The main comparative advantage of the municipality of Odžaci is Corridor VII, which encompasses road, rail and waterway routes

PREDRAG CVETANOVIĆ President of the Municipality of Odžaci

“The main comparative advantage of the municipality of Odžaci is Corridor VII”

contact: VASIL NASTOSKI Knaz Mihajlova 24 Odžaci, 25250 Tel: 025/5-742-411 Fax:025/5-742-396 063/343-306 E-mail: protokol@odzaci.info www.odzaci.rs Foreign languages: English or German

The municipality of Odžaci is located in western Bačka, on the left bank of the Danube. Part of the Western Bačka District, it sits across the river from Croatia. The municipality stretches across 41,115.89 hectares and is made up of nine cadastral units. It ranks among the smaller municipalities in Vojvodina.

INDUSTRY Attempts were made in Odžaci to develop the textile industry, including the production of synthetic yarn and ready-made garments, cereal processing, the production of bread, milk and dairy products, and livestock feed. In recent years, production has ceased and the existing capacities sit unused.

The municipality still has not met the infrastructural requirements for the arrival of foreign investors. Two industrial zones are in the process of being formed, on non-agricultural land between Karavukovo and Bogojevo, and between Odžaci and Bački Gračac.

ROAD NETWORK Two motorways go through the municipality, M-3 and M-18. The M-3 motorway, Bogojevo border crossing – Srpski Miletić – Odžaci – Lalić – Kula – Vrbas, which cuts across the municipality diagonally, is important because it connects Croatia with the Subotica – Belgrade highway. The INCENTIVES connection has been The municipality's proximity to the For investors who made even shorter by the new Bogojevo – Croatian border and the Danube has hire up to 10 people, charges for construcKaravukovo road and not been sufficiently exploited tion land developit represents a new ment are reduced 35 percent, and for those who transport route through Odžaci. The M-18 motoremploy over 10 people, the cost goes down 70 way comes from Sombor, via Srpski Miletić, Odžaci percent. Investors who create over 50 jobs get an and Deronje, and continues toward Bačka Palanka.

85 percent reduction, and over 100 new jobs will earn them a 99 percent discount. In case of a sinADVANTAGES gle payment for the total amount, within 15 days The main comparative advantage of the mufrom the day of billing, and no later than the day nicipality of Odžaci is Corridor VII (road, rail and the contract is signed, the investor is granted a 20 waterway routes). The municipality’s proximity to percent discount, regardless of the purpose of the the Croatian border and the Danube has not been structure. sufficiently exploited.

Potential investors can obtain all necessary Infrastructure of national interest (border paperwork and permits within 100 days. crossing, road and rail bridge over the Danube, Bogojevo port) is an opportunity to develop tourINVESTORS ism and trade. One of the advantages is the possiTo date, one of the biggest investors in bility of attracting foreign and domestic investors Odžaci has been Futog-based engine parts makto the vacant locations within the industrial and er Garant. ■ work zones (greenfield, brownfield).

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OPOVO

Abundant Raw Materials Thanks to its natural resources, the most developed economic branch here is agriculture The municipality of Opovo is 30 kilometres from both Belgrade and Pančevo and 40 kilometres from Zrenjanin. It covers an area of 203 square kilometres with a population of 11,016. It is located on the left bank of the Tamiš River, which runs through the municipality. The Belgrade – Zrenjanin main road and Corridor 10 (international motorway) are only 3 kilometres away from the centre of the municipality. The R-124 regional road (Vršac-Pančevo-Zrenjanin) also runs through it and Nikola Tesla Airport is 50 kilometres away.

Thanks to its natural resources, the most developed economic branch here is agriculture. The Tamiš River, with its deposits of medicinal mud and the municipality’s ethno-cultural heritage, make a solid basis for tourism development. An abundant raw-material base and a favourable geographic position facilitate the development of the food processing industry.

There is a plan to build an industrial zone on the territory that belongs to the Baranda local community. A total of 25 land plots will be available. Also,

two land plots have been assigned for a power station and a bio-disc.

The Utva Company in Opovo disposes of a production facility covering 1,600 square metres, which could be of interest to potential investors. The facility has its own energy supply. The site is suitable for investments from companies engaged in metal processing. A potential investor can obtain all required permits and documents in 6 to 7 months.

contact ZORAN TASIĆ, Head of the Economy and Finance Department Borisa Kidriča 10; 26204 Opovo Tel: +381 (0) 13 681-030 E-mail: zoran.tasic@3dnet.rs; Website. www.opovo.org.rs; Language: English

PANČEVO

PEĆINCI

Exclusive Work Zones

Exceptional Strategic Position

Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, and Romania are nearby

City-owned construction land is not occupied for the most part

The municipality of Pećinci covers an area of 483.65 square kilometres and has 21,506 inhabitants. Favourable transport and geographic positions are just some of the municipality’s potentials. Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, and Romania are nearby.

There are several economic branches present in the municipality starting with food processing, machine building, chemical, all the way to the construction industry. Lately, the service sector has been developing a lot, particularly cinematography. The municipality has PFI Studios, the largest film studio in this part of Europe. Over 30 greenfield investments, worth 250 million euros, have been made in the municipality of Pećinci so far. Most of the investors come from the EU, including large companies from Slovenia, Austria, Great Britain, Greece, and Hungary, in addition to companies from Israel, Canada, and the US. The municipality’s spatial plan envisages work zones covering close to 1,800 hectares, which is a great potential for attracting new direct investments. There is an exclusive work zone in Šimanovci, where close to 30 new greenfield in-

The town of Pančevo is located in southern Vojvodina at the estuary of the Tamiš and Danube rivers and is the economic, cultural, and administrative centre of South Banat and one of the most important industrial centres in Serbia. The town covers an area of 755 square kilometres. It is only 15 kilometres from Belgrade, and 40 kilometres from Nikola Tesla International Airport.

Since the pan-European Corridors 7 and 10 run through this area, the town of Pančevo has an exceptional strategic position, and it also has

good-quality road and railway links to Belgrade.

The town lies at the estuary of the Tamiš and Danube rivers.

The most important economy branches here are oil processing, production of plastic materials, mineral fertilizer production, agriculture, and the textile and fashion industry. It also has one of the biggest municipal budgets in Serbia. Pančevo is the biggest petro-chemical centre in the Balkans, as well as a metal processing centre. Pančevo has 60,000 hectares of high quality arable land.

City-owned construction land is not occupied for the most part, while detailed spatial plans have been drawn up. The locations’ advantages are their close proximity to the river and port on the Danube River. If we are talking about infrastructure, there are water and sewage systems in place, as well as a telecommunications network, a high voltage electricity grid, a gas supply (in most locations), and good access to main and regional roads.

vestments have been made so far. The north and southeast work zones stretch across 300 hectares, while the new Šimanovci work zone covers an area of 483 hectares.

Also, two strategic documents have been adopted – the Spatial Plan for the Municipality of Pećinci and the Strategy for Local Economic Development, both stipulating key development directions for the municipality.

contact VESNA MARTINOVIĆ, Mayor Trg kralja Petra I, 2-4, 26000 Pančevo Tel/fax: +381(0)13/346-393; 343 222 E-mail: gradonacelnik@pancevo.rs; Website: www.pancevo.rs Local Economic Development Office Vojvodina in Focus

THE INVESTMENT GUIDE

contact RADIVOJ MILOŠEVIĆ, Director of the Development Agency Slobodana Bajića 5; 22410 Pećinci Tel: +381 (0)22/400-734; Fax: +381 (0)22/400-792 E-mail: radivoj.milosevic@pecinci.org Website: www.pecinci.org 25

RUMA

The Ruma Interchange Investors can obtain all paperwork and permits necessary to start work within 15 days

T GORAN VUKOVIĆ Mayor of Ruma

"In the vicinity of major centers, Belgrade and Novi Sad"

he municipality of Ruma is located near Mt. Fruška Gora, in the heart of Srem, between two international rivers, the Sava and the Danube. It stretches across 582 square kilometers. The municipality has about 60,000 inhabitants.

Several factors put Ruma very high on the map of Serbia in terms of potential for foreign and domestic investments. Number one is the vicinity of the major centers, Belgrade and Novi Sad. ROAD NETWORK Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla airport is only 35 kilometers from Ruma, while the E-70 highway and a rail route (Corridor X) are on the outskirts of town.

Favourable conditions for the development Corridor X connects Serbia with Croatia, Slovenia and all of of the metal and wood-processing industries, Western Europe in one direclogistics centers and warehouses tion, and Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece and further east in the other. In addi- ture highway Timisoara - Dubrovnik). The intion to the E-70, class one motorway M-21, dustrial zone covers 38 hectares and is owned from Novi Sad to Šabac, also crosses through by the Municipality of Ruma in its entirety.

The zone has been divided into blocks, Ruma. In the near future, this road should be with service roads running between the turned into a highway which will connect Romania with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, blocks. Work is under way to provide utilities, with electricity, water and an access and Croatia.

BRANCHES OF INDUSTRY The most important industry branches in Ruma include the rubber, leather, textile and footwear industries. Gross income per capita is EUR 528 euros, net is EUR 378.

contact: NADA HARŠ 27. oktobra Street 38/2, 22400 Ruma, Tel: +381 22 4 78007 Fax: +381 22 4 73740 e-mail: n.hars@japruma.com www.ruma.rs Foreign languages: English, German, Italian, French or Russian

Ruma trains electricians and machine operators, leather and textile workers, as well as all worker profiles for the agricultural and food industry.

INDUSTRIAL ZONE The Ruma Interchange industrial zone is located on the crossroads of the E-70 highway and the M-21 motorway (Novi sad - Šabac, fu26

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road already in place. Plots vary in size from five to 50 hectares. The industrial zone is intended for all types of activity, except the transport and production of hazardous materials.

processing industries, as well as logistics centers and warehouses due to its excellent geographic location.

Investors can obtain all paperwork and permits necessary to start work within 15 days.

On submitting a request to the Department of Town Planning and The vicinity of the Fruška Gora Utilities and Housing Services, invesmonasteries makes Ruma an even tors get all the assistance they need, more attractive tourist destination both from the Department’s employees and from the Local Economic Development Office. benefits in providing utilities, and subsidies offered by the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development (from EUR 4,000 to 10,000 per worker) to investors who build an industrial facility.

INVESTMENTS TO DATE The biggest investments to date in Ruma include the acquisition of Rumaguma,

by Czech tire maker Mitas, and a cable production factory opened by Kablex from Slovenia.

BENEFITS FOR INVESTORS The Municipality of Ruma offers incentives to investors looking to buy construction land, depending on the number of workers they plan to employ, in addition to

Ruma is suitable for investments in agricultural processing facilities, as well as textile, leather and footwear projects. In addition, Ruma offers favourable conditions for the development of the metal and wood-

Vojvodina in Focus

THE INVESTMENT GUIDE

HISTORY Srem was one of the Roman Empire’s most important border areas, and the first mention of Ruma dates back to 1566.

For two centuries, from 1718 to 1918, Ruma formed part of the Habsburg Monarchy. It was during this period that it began to develop, becoming a production and trade center.

Numerous monasteries located on nearby Fruška Gora, along with other cultural and historic monuments, offer a good foundation for the development of tourism. ■

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PLANDIŠTE

SENTA

SEČANJ

Multiethnic Community

3 Year Exemptions

Transit Tourism Potential

The municipality of Plandište is one of eight municipalities in South Banat and is a multiethnic community

The main advantages of Senta lie in the town’s industrial zones

The municipality of Sečanj is situated in the northeast part of Serbia in Central Banat County

The municipality of Plandište is one of eight municipalities in South Banat and is a multiethnic community with 20 different nationalities living there. It is situated in southeast Vojvodina at the border with Romania (along a 30 kilometre section). It covers an area of 383 kilometres, with a population of 13,337 and is comprised of a total of 13 small towns and villages. The M 7/1 main road (Novi Sad – Plandište – Timisoara)

and the R-125 regional road (Belgrade – Alibunar -Plandište) both run through Plandište. The municipality is 83 kilometres from Belgrade and 125 kilometres from Novi Sad. The main economic branch here is agriculture since the municipality disposes of 33,000 hectares of arable land, of which 13,500 hectares are stateowned and can be leased out to a period of up to 3 years. In addition to agriculture, Plandište has a plastic processing company, as well as a textile company.

In the last few years, the demand for land with an appropriate infrastructure and suitable for industrial and small enterprise facilities has gone up significantly. There is a plan to build an 26-hectare industrial zone in the vicinity of the M7/1 road (Novi Sad – Timisoara). The land, with partial infrastructure, is leased out under the best possible conditions to potential investors for the period of 80 years with full support from local authorities. A potential investor can obtain all required permits, issued by local authorities, within10 days.

The municipality of Senta covers an area of 293 square kilometres. It is 46 kilometres from the Hungarian border and 77 kilometres from the border with Romania. Senta is the sub-regional centre, and it borders on the municipalities of Kanjiža, Novi Kneževac, Čoka, and Ada. The municipality’s population is 25,568. The E-75 motorway is 33 kilometres away and the M-3 main road that connects the Croatian and Romanian border runs through the municipality. There is also the regional Subotica – Senta – Timisoara railway line. The main advantages of Senta lie in the town’s industrial zones, suitable for greenfield investments, top quality industrial locations and facilities ideal for brownfield investments, as well as skilled human resources with competitive labour wages. Senta is known for its industrial production, and has developed a food processing industry which generates 50% of the municipal revenue.

Local companies are open to joint investments.

Senta has two industrial zones – South and West.

The South Industrial zone has 125 hectares, with 79.5 hectares already occupied. The West Industrial zone covers 38 hectares of land, with 37 hectares already taken, and only 1 hectare available.

An investor can be granted a 3-year-exemption from paying the land development fee and the fee

for displaying his business’s name. Municipal authorities will provide the needed technical assistance at the beginning of an investment process, as well as contacts with various agencies, institutions, and companies. The authorities will also shorten the process of granting permits as much as possible, and organize training sessions for workers with the help of the National Employment Service. Permits and documents can be obtained within 3 weeks.

The municipality of Sečanj is situated in the northeast part of Serbia in Central Banat County, in the east of the autonomous province of Vojvodina.

It takes up 523 square kilometres and has 16,377 inhabitants. Sečanj is the administrative centre of the municipality. The municipality borders with Romania and the municipalities of Žitište, Zrenjanin, Kovačica, Alibunar, and Plandište. Sečanj is located on the first-class state route M-7.1 and the Zrenjanin-Sečanj-Plandište-Vršac railway line.

Sečanj is 95 kilometres north of Belgrade, 87 kilometres from Novi Sad and is also only 14 kilometres from the border with Romania.

The municipality disposes of natural potentials like arable land, water resources, rawmaterials, substantial deposits of clay used in brick production, and has all the prerequisites for hunting, fishing, sports, recreational, cultural, and transit tourism development. The main economic activity here is agriculture. There are available capacities for oil plants and crop storage and the municipality has a plan to create a fishing location and open a beach in Krajišnik, as well as one on the Tamiš River.

Currently, the municipality is pinning its hopes on making the Northwest Work Zone in Sečanj functional. The zone covers 52 hectares of land (36 hectares available for lease). Municipal authorities have drawn up a detailed regulation plan, the zone has electricity, and works are being done on connecting it to the gas supply.

contact ZORAN VORKAPIĆ,

contact ANIKO ŠIRKOVÁ,

contact DEJANA MILOŠEVIĆ,

President of the Municipality of Plandište Vojvode Putnika 58, 26360 Plandište Tel: +381(0)13/861-033; Fax: +381(0)13/861-134 E-mail: soplandiste@hemo.net Website: www.plandiste.com

President of the Municipality of Senta Glavni trg 1, 24400 Senta Tel: +381(0)24/813-574; Fax: +381(0)24/812-034 E-mail: info@zenta-senta.co.rs; Website:www.zenta-senta.co.rs Languages: English, Hungarian and German

Head of the Economy Department Vožda Karađorđa 57; 23240 Sečanj, Tel: +381(0)23/842-066 E-mail: mdejana@beotel.net Website: www.sosecanj.rs

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Vojvodina in Focus

SOMBOR

Most Stateowned Arable Land Sombor disposes of the biggest state-owned arable land in the area The town of Sombor is located in the most northwestern part of the Republic of Serbia. Sombor’s population numbers 42,235. Most of the population is engaged in agriculture, hunting and forestry followed by the processing industry, retail, vehicle repair, health services, and social work.

The town of Sombor is situated between two pan-European corridors – 7 and 10. The town is connected to the pan-European road Corridor 10.

Passenger and cargo railway transport is carried out via a one-track railway line.

Sombor disposes of the biggest state-owned arable land in the area, and is an ideal location for investing in agriculture, which provides an excellent raw-material basis for the food processing industry.

This has been recognized by foreign investors who have invested substantial funds in the development of the dairy industry. Furniture production, as one branch of the wood processing sector, is the most developed industrial branch in Sombor.

Sombor’s industrial zone is located along the southeastern town limits, and covers an area of 500 hectares. The zone has a primary gas supply, elec-

tricity, running water, wastewater sewage, a road network, and partially-constructed atmospheric sewage, which is connected to drainage canals.

If the town authorities or institutions are in charge of issuing required permits, then the issuing period is up to 7 days, provided that an investor submits complete and accurate documentation. The Local Economic Development Office is the contact point for any questions regarding permits.

SRBOBRAN

SREMSKI KARLOVCI

Oil and Gas Potential

Economically Diverse

There are oil deposits and larger gas deposits, which are currently being exploited

The municipality of Sremski Karlovci is the smallest municipality in the autonomous province of Vojvodina

The municipality of Srbobran is situated in Vojvodina, stretches across 284 square kilometres and has 17,855 inhabitants. The E-75 motorway, the M-3 and M-22 main roads all run through the municipality. Also, there is a section of the DTD Canal here. The municipality is 70 kilometres from the state borders with Hungary, Romania, and Croatia.

The most developed economic branches are: agriculture, wood and metal processing, manufacturing rubber products, construction, trans-

The municipality of Sremski Karlovci is the smallest municipality in the autonomous province of Vojvodina, it covers an area of 5,054 hectares.

The municipality is exceptionally situated, it lies at the very northeastern part of Srem County at the foot of the Fruška Gora along the bank of the Danube River. Novi Sad is 10 kilometers away and Belgrade only 65 kilometres.

The economic branches in Sremski Karlovci are diverse and include construction materials production, metal processing, textile industry, transport, and retail. Tourist capacities in Sremski Karlovci are also continuously developing. A master plan for the development of tourism has been written.

The municipality has four separate areas for various purposes. The first area (3.23 hectares) and is ideal for tourist and sports activities. The second area, nearly 3 hectares, is also suitable for sports and recreational activities. The third area (6 hectares) is ideal for tourist and general-purpose business activities. 1.5 hectares is designated for a beach. The fourth area (5 hectares) is an ideal

port, and others. Ground water is usually used to irrigate crop fields, while the Great Bačka Canal is used for water transport. There are oil deposits and larger gas deposits, which are currently being exploited. Fishing and hunting are also quite popular. The municipality’s geographic position, raw-material base (for food industry) and transport infrastructure all make good prerequisites for industrial facilities. We ought to mention that land plots here are leased out free of charge.

The municipality of Srbobran has two industrial zones. The first one covers 60 hectares and has a detailed regulation plan. Infrastructure is currently being built in the zone. The second zone covers an area of 90 hectares. 30 hectares are state-owned with municipal authorities having utilization rights. This zone has a utility infrastructure and the plan is to extend the road network here, construct a water supply system, and build new power stations.

location for fishermen and weekend houses.

The municipality has a work zone covered by a detailed regulation plan. The Provincial Secretariat for Science and Technology Development provides incentives in terms of giving grants for equipment used by investors that invest in the municipality of Sremski Karlovci.

The condition is that investments have to be made in advance technology.

contact MIHAEL PLAC, Head of the Local

contact DRAGAN ŠARČEV,

contact VLADIMIR ŽERAVICA,

Economic Development Office Trg Cara Uroša 1, 25000 Sombor Tel: + 381(0)25/468-160; Fax: + 381(0)25/468-156 E-mail. klersombor@gmail.com; Website: www.sombor.rs Languages: English, German, Hungarian

Head of Municipal Administration Trg Slobode 2, 21480 Srbobran Tel: +381(0)21/730-020; Fax: +381(0)21/731-079, E-mail: srbobran@eunet.yu; Website: www.srbobran.rs Language: English

Economy and Agriculture Executive Officer Trg Branka Radičevića 1, 21205 Sremski Karlovci Tel: +381(0)21/6853-000; Fax: +381(0)21/6853-077 E-mail:sremkarl@eunet.rs Website: www.sremski-karlovci.org.rs

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SREMSKA MITROVICA

Three Industrial Zones

An investor that plans to build a production facility covering over 2,000 square metres and that employs over 100 workers will be exempt from paying the land regulation fee

S

BRANISLAV NEDIMOVIĆ Mayor of Sremska Mitrovica

“Industrial zones which are all regulated by relevant documents”

contact: BRANISLAV NEDIMOVIĆ Mayor Svetog Dimitrija 13 22000 Sremska Mitrovica tel. 022/610- 572 fax 022/610-562 e-mail gradonacelniksm@gmail.com www.sremskamitrovica.org.rs DANIJELA MEĐEDOVIĆ The Local Economic Development Office Svetog Dimitrija 13 22000 Sremska Mitrovica tel. 022/610-572 fax 022/610-562 e-mail smkler@gmail.com

tion facility covering over 2,000 square metres remska Mitrovica is located in the northand that employs over 100 workers will be exwest part of Serbia, i.e. in south-west empt from paying the land regulation fee. In Vojvodina. It has direct access to the E-70 the case of investors who are going to build motorway and indirect access, via Belgrade, to the smaller facilities and employ under 100 peoE-75 motorway. Also, the town has a direct acple, the land regulation fee will be reduced by cess to the Vienna-Thessaloniki international rail20% providing that they pay the entire fee at road which lies on Corridor X. The town is only 50 once. Investors can pay this fee in 12 monthkm from Nikola Tesla Airport. The area of Sremska ly instalments, but, Mitrovica is connectin this case, the 20% ed to the main roads discount does not apM-18 and M-21, to the ply. It takes up to 60 Danube River via the days for the municiSava and to Corridor pal authorities to isVII. The state border is sue the required per40 km away. mits and documents.

The dominant ecoThe biggest innomic branches are the vestors in Sremska processing and food inMitrovica: dustry, wholesale trading, agriculture, hunt- Hrana Produkt, proThe dominant economic branches duction and sale of ing and forestry, transare the processing and food fodder portation and storage, industry, wholesale trading, - Slaviamed, production electrical industry and ferrous metallurgy. The agriculture, hunting and forestry and distribution of pharmaceutical products average gross salary - Eaton Electric, produchere is 350 euros. tion and distribution of When it comes to electronic equipment the educational profile, - Metalfer – Steel Mill, 4.08% of the entire rebar and wire rolling workforce has a univermill sity degree, 4.05% has - Sirmium Steel, proa junior college degree, duction and distribu42.29% has finished tion of steel beams high school, 23.91% - Mitsides Point, proprimary school and duction and distribu20.17% seven years of tion of flour and pasta primary school. Their skills are very diverse.

- MC Bauchemie, production and sale of construcThe town of Sremska Mitrovica has three fultion additives ly infrastructurally equipped industrial zones – - Lames, production of electric car window moSever (North), Sever II (North II) and Jezero (The tors, a FIAT subcontractor.

Lake) which are all regulated by the relevant docThere is a possibility of opening new courses uments, i.e. the General Regulation Plan and the at the local high school to suit investors’ needs, Detailed Regulation Plan. and the investors can co-operate with the high schools in order to train pupils for working in BENEFITS AND SUBSIDIES their companies. ■ An investor that plans to build a produc30

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STARA PAZOVA

SUBOTICA

ŠID

Over 600 SME's A Most Suitable Food, fishing The municipality of Stara Location and Forests Pazova has a long tradition in small business

The municipality of Stara Pazova has an excellent geographic position. It is 30 kilometres from Belgrade and 40 kilometres from Novi Sad. All main transport routes intersect the municipality. The international railway connects the municipality with Subotica and further on with Munich (northbound), and with Niš and further on with Greece (southbound). Nikola Tesla Airport is 25 kilometres from the centre of Stara Pazova, while Batajnica military aiport is only 8 kilometres away.

The Danube River runs along the east outskirts of

the municipality which rounds off the municipality’s transport network. The municipality covers an area of 351 square kilometres.

The municipality of Stara Pazova has a long tradition in small business. It has over 600 small and medium enterprises. The municipality has diverse industrial branches – metal processing, plastic, rubber, wood processing, construction, and many others. Agriculture is one of the most important economic branches. Stara Pazova has 30,000 hectares of arable land, with emphasis on crop farming.

There are four industrial zones in the municipality: • East Work Zone in Stara Pazova – 125 hectares • North Work Zone in Stara Pazova – 100 hectares • Industrial zone in Nova Pazova (Block 25) – 87 hectares • Industrial zone in Krnješevci – 580 hectares The land development fee can be paid in 24 installments. All required building permits can be obtained within two months’ time.

Subotica is the first city to obtain former military land and barracks from the army The city of Subotica is situated in the northernmost part of Serbia and stretches across 1008 km². The city is easy to reach due to the good connection with Corridor X, the W-85 railway, and two international border crossings 10-30 km away. The nearness of the border to the European Union and the well-developed and functioning logistics in production and trade make Subotica the most suitable location in Serbia for investments that target foreign markets. Dominating industries are agriculture, production and processing of food products, electrical industry, metallurgy and chemical industry, and the service sector.

Subotica is the first city to obtain former military land and barracks from the army and has also obtained agricultural land from the state. The city administration, together with public utilities and enterprises, is determined to facilitate these locations fully according to investors’ needs, and currently detailed planning is in process.

The incentives the city offers are in line with the newly-adopted Law on Spatial Planning.

There are special conditions defined for big investments, which can be determined case by case. Subotica also offers the services of the Free Zone Subotica Ltd, which has the capacity to host production and storing with special customs and VAT incentives. Also, for investors interested in tourism, a detailed Master Plan has been drawn up for the development of tourism around Lake Palić.

The municipality of Šid borders on the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Srpska

The municipality of Šid borders on the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Srpska. It has 38,973 inhabitants. There are eight border crossings on the municipality’s territory. The road network in the municipality good. The E-70, the M-18 and M18/1, and the R-106, R-103 and R-128 all run through the municipality. Also, there is the main railway line Belgrade – Šid – state border that links the municipality to the Republic of Srpska and the Republic of Croatia.

The municipality has a total of 41,316 hec-

tares of agricultural land, 21,768 hectares of forest, and 838 hectares of water. The following industrial branches are developed in the municipality of Šid: agriculture, forestry, water supply, fishery, processing, food processing, and chemical industries.

The municipality has five industrial zones.

Industrial zone 1a (115.09 hectares) is situated between Šid and the state border with Croatia.

Industrial zone 1b (113.11 hectares) is located at the north section of the R-103 regional road. Industrial zone 2a (30.62 hectares) is located between Šid and Adaševci. Industrial zone 4 (107.81 hectares) is owned by the municipality and near to the E-70 motorway. Industrial zone 2b (29.11 hectares) is near the eastbound section of the M 18.1 road. All zones have partial infrastructure.

An urban planning excerpt can be obtained within 8 days, an urban planning act within 30 days, building permit in15 days, and a registration of construction works in 8 days.

contact GORAN JOVIĆ,

contact SAŠA VUČINIĆ,

contact NATAŠA CVJETKOVIĆ,

President of the Municipality of Stara Pazova Svetosavska 11, Stara Pazova 22300 Tel: +381(0)22/310-170; Fax: +381(0)22/310-000; E-mail: goran.jovic@starapazova.eu; www.starapazova.eu Languages: English, Slovak

Mayor of the City of Subotica, Simonida Pavićević, Chief of Local Economic Development Office, Trg slobode 1, Tel/Fax: +38124666677 E-mail: mayor@subotica.rs

Municipality’s president 2, Karađorđeva; 22240 Šid Tel: +381 (0)22/712-002; Fax: +381(0)22/715-708 E-mail: ppzr@opstinasid.org; Website: www.sid.rs Language: English

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TEMERIN

TITEL

Location for Nautical Tourism

EU Border Nearby Temerin is only 100 kilometres from the EU border, 80 kilometres from Belgrade, and 7 kilometres from Novi Sad

There is the Emperor’s Swamp near Titel, which is a unique nature reserve

The municipality of Temerin covers an area of 170 square kilometres, has a population of approximately 20,000 and is located in the southeast part of Bačka. In the east, it borders with the municipality of Žabalj, in the north with the municipality of Srbobran, in the west with the municipality of Vrbas, and in the south with the city of Novi Sad. Temerin is only 100 kilometres from the EU border, 80 kilometres from Belgrade, and 7 kilometres from Novi

Sad. Having Novi Sad, the most developed economic centre in Vojvodina, nearby has certainly contributed to the municipality’s development so far and will continue to be a driving factor in its growth.

The biggest economic potentials lie in agriculture, metalworking, trade, services, and others.

When it comes to the revenue it generates, agriculture is a very important economic branch. The municipality of Temerin disposes of 15,748 hectares of agricultural land, which represents 92.8% of the entire municipality’s territory. Most of this land is plough land and vegetable gardens. Orchards and vineyards comprise 100 hectares. Following agricultural reforms, cooperatives were established and they currently manage 27% of the entire agricultural land, including land owned by the municipality of Temerin (2,746 hectares of it). Today, there are close to 1,000 enterprises in the municipality, employing over 1,700 workers.

The shortest possible period necessary for obtaining all required building permits and approvals is six months.

The municipality of Titel is located in southeast Bačka at the estuary of the Tisa and Danube rivers. It covers an area of 263.5 square kilometres. The town of Titel lies on three rivers, including the Tisa River. There is the Emperor’s Swamp near Titel, which is a unique nature reserve. Titel borders with the city of Novi Sad and the other municipalities. Titel has a well-preserved environment and is the administrative, economic and cultural centre of the municipality.

Both the municipality of Titel and the region have all the prerequisites for stable and profitable agricultural production. Agricultural production has a 65% share in the municipality’s gross income, with crop farming being a dominant activity, followed by cattle breeding and vegetable growing. Also, a great potential lies in processing of agricultural produce. A project has been drawn up stipulating construction of a cargo port in Titel.

Titel’s geographic position could potentially make the municipality a centre of nautical tourism.

The work zone covers an area of 450 hec-

tares. A full infrastructure, good transport connections, proximity to the biggest C-class airport in the Balkans, a possibility of collaboration with local farmers, existing facilities for metal and plastic processing, a clean environment, efficient administration, and a qualified, inexpensive, and young workforce are all good for investors. The Free Zone in Block 65 covers 50 hectares and has a complete infrastructure.

VRBAS

Centre of Bačka A favourable geographic and transit position is one of the main reasons why Vrbas is considered the centre of Central Bačka

The municipality of Vrbas is located in South Bačka. It stretches across 376 square kilometres and has 45,755 inhabitants. A favourable geographic and transit position is one of the main reasons why Vrbas is considered the centre of Central Bačka. The municipality is located at the crossroads of roads like Sombor-Vrbas-Bečej, Vrbas-Bačka Palanka, and Vrbas-Subotica. The international railway line Belgrade-Budapest and local railways Novi SadSombor and Sombor-Bečej all run through Vrbas.

The municipality’s territory is also intersected by a

network of canals.

Vrbas is one of the most developed business, transport, trade, and administrative centres in the area. Agriculture is the central economic branch here. 90.07% of the entire land is arable, most of it being plough land (96.98%).

There are 17 industrial zones (or locations) in the municipality suitable for investing. They are publicly owned, while in rural areas, they are both publicly and privately owned. Business zones have relevant spatial planning documents and they are purely commercial. Their advantages are: favourable price of land plots, payment in installments, full or partial infrastructure and close proximity to good transport links.

The municipality’s Spatial Planning Department has to issue all required permits and documents in 8 to 15 days, provided that potential investors submit complete documentation. If they fails to do so, it will take them between 30 and 45 days to obtain permits.

contact GUSZTON ANDRÁS,

contact SLAVOLJUB RADIĆ,

contact VUKAŠIN VUJIČIĆ,

President of the Municipality of Temerin, Novosadska 326, 21235 Temerin Tel: +381(0)21/843-888; Fax: +381(0)21/842-792 E-mail: predsednik@temerin.rs; Website: www.temerin.rs Languages: Hungarian and English

Head of Cabinet Glavna 1, Titel 21240 tel: +381(0)21/860-186; fax: +381(0)21/861-553 E-mail: uprava@opstinatitel.rs Website: www.opstinatitel.rs

Assistant to municipality’s president Maršala Tita 89, 21460 Vrbas Tel: +381(0)21/7954– 000; E-mail: sovrbas@eunet.rs; vrbas@eunet.rs; Website: www.vrbas.net Languages: English, Russian, Hungarian

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Agro-industrial centre

ZRENJANIN

The most developed part of the economy is industry- food, textile, metal, chemical and natural gas production

Z

renjanin is the biggest city in the Banat region and its political, economic, cultural and sport centre. By the size of its territory (1326 square kilometres) it represents the biggest city in Vojvodina, and the second biggest in Serbia. About 140,000 people, of more than 20 nationalities live in Zrenjanin.

Zrenjanin lies on the banks of the Begej and the Tisa. The terrain of the municipality is distinctly lowland. The altitude is 80 metres, ranging from 77 to 97m at the territory of the city.

Zrenjanin is 75km away from Belgrade, and 50km away from Novi Sad. Such a location makes the city an exceptionally important transit centre. Zrenjanin is 53km away from the Romanian border, Srpska Crnja border crossing and 43km from Jaša Tomić border crossing.

INDUSTRIAL ZONE BAGLJAŠ- ELEMIR Located at the exit from the city, in close vicinity of the Zrenjanin- Novi Sad trunk road and the city’s ring road. Phiwa Walther Group (Germany), Pompea (Italy), Inmed (Serbia- Croatia), Mehler Baps (Germany), UM-ING (Serbia), Fulgar (Italy), Arcadom (Hungary), Supernova (Austria), Draexlmaier (Germany), Demex (Serbia) and Geze (Germany) all do business in this zone.

EČKA ZONE The entire zone is structured construction ground; it is flat terrain- no infill work is needed.

The industrial zone is set on the way to Belgrade. The lots are suitable for industrial construction due to their regular shape and placement. Ćirkom OM Engineering, Altis Chemicals, Jovanović, Alpin, ITS Balkan, EFM Fabrikation, Luxol, Omnia Pack and Eurowind body ZRENJANIN AIRPORT The complex spreads Zrenjanin is one of the six cities parts do business within the zone. Zrenjanin is one 1,100 ha and is the bigin Serbia where the duty-free of the six cities in Serbia gest C-class airport in the Balkans with the zone is functioning, and the city’s where the duty-free zone is functioning, and the supporting infrastrucpartner in running the zone is city’s partner in running ture for the admission Slovenian company ‘Kolpa’ the zone is the Slovenian of small passenger, agricompany ‘Kolpa’. Zrenjanin's main street is the first cultural and transport airplanes with up to sevcity in Serbia with free wireless Internet access. en tones load capacity. The river network is represented by the river Tisa, which is navigable on INVESTORS its entire length through the city. At the Begej Agrokor; Bongrain Sas; Kolpa ; Pompea Spa; Phiwa River, as a part of the hydro-system Rhyne-MainGroup; Mehler Baps; Geze; Draexlmaier; Fulgar.

Danube, there are two dockyards, and the construction of a port has also been planned.

RECOGNITIONS 2006- The most pro-active city for investments ECONOMY in Serbia; 2007- Municipality of the future- Let us Zrenjanin is among the bigger agro-industrial promote the best; 2008- Zrenjanin is the best in centres in Serbia. The most developed part of the Serbia, the second in South-East Europe according economy is industry- food, textile, metal, chemical to the World Bank project- Doing business in South and natural gas production.

East Europe 2008; 2008- Invest in Serbia 2008, According to the Employment Bureau, the competition for the best promotion of investment city of Zrenjanin currently has 12,673 unempotentials of cities and municipalities, scored anployed people. The average gross salary is other victory for Zrenjanin. ■ €482.8 per month.

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DR MILETA MIHAJLOV Mayor of Zrenjanin

“Municipality of the future, we promote the best”

contact: PREDRAG STANKOV Assistant Mayor Sloboda Square 10 23000 Zrenjanin Tel: 023/ 315 00 93 Fax: 023/ 315 00 99

VRŠAC

ŽABALJ

ŽITIŠTE

Good Railway Pharmacy Leading Branch Network

Bordering Romania

The municipality offers exclusive incentives for investing in the Industry & Technology Park

Numerous thermomineral springs are yet to be sufficiently exploited

The municipality has good road links and a well-developed railway infrastructure

The municipality of Vršac has a very favourable geo-strategic position and has a developed road infrastructure. It is located on the Belgrade – Timisoara international route. The international railway line Vienna – Budapest – Belgrade – Bucharest also runs through Vršac.

The most developed industrial branches here are pharmaceutical, chemical, and food industries. The leading pharmaceutical company in the region and wider is Hemofarm Stada, one of the initiators of the Industry & Technology Park. Vršac is also one of the biggest agricultural centres in South Banat, with over 60,000 hectares of arable land.

The municipality of Vršac has devised two industrial zones – a north industrial zone (120.5 hectares) and a south industrial zone (286.5 hectares). The south zone is a general-purpose work zone. There is also a zone suitable for tertiary activities, small business, a goods & transport zone, and a free zone with customs clearance offices.

The Park has a complete transport infrastructure, water supply, sewage, a 20-KV-electric grid, and

telephone lines.

The municipality offers exclusive incentives for investing in the Industry & Technology Park (ITP). ITP is the only such park in Serbia suitable for pharmaceutical producers.

The Municipality of Vršac has been declared the best investment location in Serbia at the ‘Invest in Serbia’ Fair organized by USAID’s MEGA Program.

contact DEJAN MAK, local economic development office coordinatorTrg Pobede 1 26300 Vršac Tel/Fax: +381 13 832-640 E-mail: dmak@vrsac.org.rs; Website: www.vrsac.org.rs Languages: English, French, Romanian 34

The municipality of Žabalj is located in the Šajkaška area of South Bačka County and has a population of 27,513. The municipality covers an area of 400 square kilometres and is located in the very heart of Vojvodina. Žabalj is situated west of the Tisa River between the municipalities of Bečej, Srbobran, Temerin, Novi Sad, and Titel. On its east side it borders with Novi Bečej and Zrenjanin.

The municipality has good road links and a well-developed railway infrastructure, but this is only used to transport cargo. Nikola Tesla

International Airport is 80 kilometres. There are many waterways in the municipality like the Tisa, Stara Tisa (Old Tisa), and Jegrička rivers and a network of canals called Danube – Tisa- Danube.

The Tisa is suitable both for domestic and international river transport.

The most important economic branches in the municipality are: agriculture, the processing industry, wholesale, and retail. Arable land covers 32,255 hectares of the municipality’s 40,000 hectares.

The, 42 hectare, Žabalj East Work Zone is an exceptional location, situated on the M-7 main road, 20 kilometres from Novi Sad, 25 kilometres from Zrenjanin, and 80 kilometres from Belgrade.

The zone has a plan for additional regulation and relevant technical documentation.

It can take up to 15 days for an investor to obtain information on location, a location permit, and other required documents. It also takes up to 15 days to obtain a building permit.

The municipality of Žitište is a border municipality, in the east it borders with Romania.

The municipality of Žitište stretches across 525 square kilometres and has 21,000 inhabitants.

The transport infrastructure here is quite developed. The Timisoara–Kikinda–Zrenjanin–Belgrade railway is some 18 kilometres away. Also, there is the Begej Canal.

Agricultural production is the foundation of Žitište’s economy. There are several fish ponds with developed sport fishing, as well as a pheasant farm nearby. Numerous thermomineral springs are yet to be sufficiently exploited. Municipal authorities have drawn up the ‘Study on Exploitation and Utilization of ThermoMineral Springs,’ which shows thermomineral springs containing healing substances scattered all over the municipality’s territory. There are opportunities for investing in production of biomass and dehydration of agricultural produce, as well as in the food industry, plastic product production, construction materials production, and the textile industry.

The industrial zone is owned by local authorities. There are two locations in the zone: LOCATION 1 - Site: Industrial zone Plastika; Total area: 3 hectares; Type of ownership: state owned; Intended use: construction of industrial plants. LOCATION 2 Site: Industrial zone Bioferm; Total area: 15 hectares; Type of ownership: state property; Intended use: construction of industrial plants and small-scale industry premises.

contact ČEDOMIR BOŽIĆ, Member of the

contact IGOR SALAK,

municipal administration Nikole Tesle 45, 21230 Žabalj Tel: +381(0)21/831-035; Fax: +381(0)21/831-094 E-mail: cedomirbozic@gmail.com; Website : www.zabalj.rs Languages: English, German and Russian

Massistant to the municipality’s president Cara Dušana 15; 23210 Žitište Tel: +381(0)23/821-306 E-mail: selakigor@yahoo.com; Website: www.zitiste.org Language: English

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