Over the last two years, the Municipality of Trgovište – one of Serbia’s least developed municipalities – has slowly started awakening. Two companies are already operating in its industrial zone, with 45 new jobs expected to be created in the next two months and, with the promised assistance of the state, there will be more to come
Last year, for the first time, the Municipality of Trgovište allocated 30 million dinars from its modest budget to grant subsidies to private enterprises and entrepreneurs for the creation of new jobs, while the same amount is planned for this year, says municipal president Nenad Krstić.
The municipality of Trgovište is among the countries most undeveloped areas, but significant progress has been recorded in recent years. What can you boast of having achieved?
– The municipality of Trgovište is indeed one of the least developed in the Republic of Serbia, but the leadership of the Municipality is exerting great efforts to change that status. In 2017, the Municipality bought from bankrupt state enterprise Pčinja the ‘Pak Centre facilities in Donja Trnica, which leases to interested companies, and in 2018 we purchased the facilities of the former Simpo AD (JSC) Vranje Carpet Factory in Donji Stajevac. The adaptation of facilities and their reassigning for the purposes for the confectionery industry are underway, so the launch of production and employment of around 45 workers is expected to start in the next two months.
Last year, for the first time, the Municipality of Trgovište allocated 30 million dinars from its modest budget to grant subsidies to private enterprises and entrepreneurs for the creation of new jobs. Likewise, 30 million dinars for subsidies to private companies and entrepreneurs have again been allocated this year, while the announcement of a public invitation is expected in the coming days.
The Municipality raised a loan of 100 million dinars in the past year, with all funds intended for utilities infrastructure projects that will improve the quality of life for all citizens
You managed to revitalise your Industrial Zone, where plastics and bee-keeping products are now being produced. Is there room for some other companies?
– From the former Pak Centre of State Enterprise Pčinja, which was bought by the Municipality, and an area of about five hectares that was under state ownership and has been made available by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, we formed the Donja Trnica Industrial Zone. Two companies now operate in this industrial zone, while there is a vacant facility covering about 900 square metres. This zone also has construction land available for the construction of new production facilities.
Do you have plans and funds to invest in utility infrastructure?
– There is an abundance of plans for the construction of utility infrastructure… We have completed project design/ technical acts, and documentation in the final phase for projects worth a total of around 800 million dinars, but we don’t have the funds to implement all projects immediately. The Municipality raised a loan of 100 million dinars in the past year, with all funds intended for utility infrastructure projects. We expect great assistance from the leadership of the Republic of Serbia in securing the lacking funds, but also from ministries and local and foreign donors.