EU PRO Programme funded by the European Union and the Republic of Serbia
  • Republic of Serbia
  • UNOPS

Bojnik, 22 October 2019

Agribusiness zone in Bojnik- the foundation of local development

EU support for the construction of business infrastructure worth a million Euros

The construction of infrastructure in a new agribusiness zone in the Bojnik village Kosančić has started today in order to create conditions for increasing the current agricultural production, attracting new investments and, most importantly, creating new jobs.

The works supported by the European Union (EU) with a million Euros include the construction of an access road, water and electricity supply, sewerage, and telecommunication and will enable the infrastructure equipment of the zone for processing and agricultural production.

"This industrial zone is of great importance for the municipality as once the environment for investment is created, we expect new factory facilities to be opened here and provide our youth the opportunities to live and work in Bojnik," said the Mayor of Bojnik, Nebojša Nenadović, who particularly thanked to the EU and the Government of Serbia that ensured a financial contribution of over 200,000 Euros.

As previously announced, the zone will cover over 50 hectares, of which 33 hectares are intended for agricultural land, while four parcels of five hectares will be used for building processing plants that should encourage agricultural production, attract investors and contribute to the efforts invested in reducing unemployment.

 “We are pleased to mark the start of the financially most valuable business infrastructure project supported by the European Union through the EU PRO programme. This project will significantly contribute to a more balanced economic development of the country, especially when it comes to smaller municipalities such as Bojnik, as it will create conditions for new investments and job creation, which ultimately means a better life for citizens, ”said Olivera Kostić, EU PRO programme manager.

As she pointed out, the employees of the local administration in Bojnik recognised both potentials and needs for economic development of the municipality and with timely prepared planning and technical documentation, applied with the project and received the EU support worth a million Euro in the tough competition of 99 cities and municipalities included in EU PRO.

In addition to these large-scale infrastructure projects implemented by local governments Olivera Kostić also reminded of the EU support to small businesses in Serbia. She invited entrepreneurs engaged in production and registered between 2014-2018 in the cities and municipalities involved in the programme to seize the opportunity and apply for the second Public Call for the Procurement of Equipment and Provision of Services for Entrepreneurs, Micro and Small Enterprises. The EU has earmarked 2.5 million Euros for this call, which is open until November 10, while all interested entrepreneurs may find more information about the call on the EU PRO website www.eupro.org.rs.