Diplomacy in economy - "Ambassadorial Initiative" speeds up Vranje's development

(Vranje)

Vranje has made a big effort to be part of the project "Ambassadorial Initiative" and that chance, as people at the local self-government say, will be used in the best possible way to attract as many investors as possible in the conditions of the crisis and a tough struggle for each new job.

At the initiative of the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED), "ambassadorial teams" have been formed to promote investments. The "team for Vranje" is led by Ambassador of Slovakia to Belgrade Rastislav Kostilnik, Director of Integration Systems at Asseco SEE Vladan Atanasijevic, and Vranje Mayor Miroljub Stojcic.

- The project "Ambassadorial Initiative" is a great opportunity for local self-governments. Namely, a team work of embassies, businessmen and local self-government is more likely to result in concrete business arrangements and investments. We also find very important the cooperation that will be achieved in other areas such as, for example, culture - Miroljub Stojcic, mayor of Vranje, says in a statement for eKapija.

(Besna Kobila)

When asked by eKapija to list the economic advantages that will promote Vranje, the mayor says:

- Vranje is a city with industrial tradition and productive workers who are able to produce the quality that meets both European and global standards. Yumco used to work for NATO. Simpo and Alfa-plam are even today the largest exporters in south Serbia. Simpo is the absolute leader in the furniture production in our market for four decades now, and it is also famous and acknowledged in many countries of Europe, USA and Australia. In the volume of production, sales and quality, Alfa-plam is the leading manufacturer of heating appliances in Serbia and Southeast Europe, and it also among top five in Europe. The products of Alfa-plam are primarily intended for households. In the footwear industry, former Kostana is now replaced by several smaller manufacturers, the most important of which is Sanch.

As the mayor explains, Vranje's natural potentials represent a significant aspect of its offer.

- Vranjska Banja spa, with the hottest water in Europe, is still in early phase of its development and it is going to reach the level of a natural resource. Besna Kobila mountain has a significant potential for the tourism development. The studies we've conducted show that it is possible to build kilometers of ski runs on this mountain 1,900 meters high. What is also significant is that that can be part of a broader tourist offer, which would also include the capacities of Bulgaria, thus enabling an appearance in the global market as well. By the way, the tourist offer of Vranje is completed by our medieval tradition, specific music, dance, folklore, gastronomy, literature, hospitality... The latest example are the Chinese partners who have recently registered their companies in Vranje and plan to engage in the energy sector, which is a proof of our significant potentials in the areas of solar energy generation and construction of mini hydroelectric power plants.

(Miroljub Stojcic)

The business community of Vranje is composed of companies from many countries, and the mayor does not hide his satisfaction with the fact that Vranje hosts firms from Great Britain, Italy, Greece, Austria, Russia, China, and Bulgaria.

- Directors of British American Tobacco, the world's second largest tobacco company, pointed on several occasion to the competence of the local self-government in Vranje and its readiness for cooperation.

As Stojcic says, they have not had the chance to cooperate with partners from Slovakia on an investment project to date, a significant obstacle to which was the lack of information.

- According to the information I have, the Vranje economy exported USD 120,000 worth of goods to Slovakia in the first four months of this year and imported only USD 35,000 goods from that country in the same period. We mainly export furniture and wool.

In any case, says our interlocutor, we will make contacts together with our partners from the "ambassadorial initiative", thus creating chances for an intensive business cooperation between the economies of Vranje and Slovakia.

- The possibilities are endless because we do not have any outstanding issues with Slovakia. On the contrary, our political cooperation is excellent. The economy of Slovakia is in an expansion and has plenty to offer. The same goes for Vranje. I expect businessmen to recognize concrete projects.

(Vladan Atanasijevic)

Vladan Atanasijevic, director of integration systems at Asseco SEE and the businessmen in charge of Vranje's promotion, said that he was proud to be part of that NALED's initiative. According to his words, Vranje is one of the most advanced cities in the field of e-services.

- The role of NALED is to help municipalities achieve normal level of the service provision to their citizens, which is why it has introduced certificates for favorable business environment in local self-governments. Certified municipalities, one of which is Vranje, have met the necessary requirements. That was followed by an initiative for "economic ambassadors" who will together work on the investment promotion. We will try to build a bridge between companies from Slovakia and Vranje.

As our interlocutor explains, the first meeting of "ambassadors" will be held until the end of July, collecting of data about the potentials of Vranje will start in September, while concrete information on the companies interested in cooperation will be available by the New Year.

- The main branches of economy in Slovakia are the automotive industry and electronics. Besides, their tourism is well-developed and they have a need for the lumber industry. Other important branches in that country are the military industry and agriculture.

Atanasijevic stresses that it is very important that the "ambassadorial team" and NALED will focus not only on the promotion of Vranje in Slovakia, but also in other countries.

- Our primary goal is to promote and help Vranje. That concretely means that we will take care when considering the potentials of that city in the south of Serbia if some other country is interested in the sector in question.