KALANOVIC: RSD 300 million for industrial zones in 2013

(Verica Kalanovic)

Serbian Minister of Regional Development and Local Self-Government Verica Kalanovic stated in Vranje, southern Serbia, that the Serbian government and the Ministry would earmark RSD 300 million for equipment for 92 industrial zones in 2013 and another RSD 450 million for the same purpose in 2014, Tanjug news agency reports.

Over the next two years the government will pay special attention to the procurement of infrastructure equipment for industrial zones in Serbia that will employ tens of thousands of people, Kalanovic added.

The key task of the Serbian government and the Ministry of Regional Development in the coming time will be to accelerate economic development and to improve living conditions for people in all regions, Kalanovic said.

In the talks with Vranje mayor and municipal presidents from the Pcinj region, the minister underscored that the government would not forget southern Serbia and the needs of the local population at any point.

The minister explained that one of the reasons behind her visit to Vranje is the industrial zone Bunusevac spanning 109 hectares, which the government transferred to Vranje's ownership on Friday.

In the talks with the Vranje leadership, Kalanovic and local officials underscored that infrastructural regulation of the Bunusevac zone was a priority at the moment because it should soon house the first companies, including the Italian shoe manufacturer Geox and the leather furniture maker Ditre Italia.