EU and Government of Switzerland helping develop Bunusevac Free Zone with EUR 192,000

The European Union and the Government of Switzerland have set aside EUR 192,000 for the development of Bunusevac Free Zone, which is a prerequisite for the arrival of foreign investors, stated the mayor of Vranje, Slobodan Milenkovic, on Friday, September 30.

He also said, following the tour of Bunusevac Free Zone with the head of the second sector of operations of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Steffen Hudolin, that the development of Bunusevac Free Zone would help create new jobs and improve the quality of life for the people of Vranje.

The Government of Switzerland and the EU have also financially supported 17 entrepreneurs, owners of micro and macro enterprises from the Pcinja district, through the EU Progress program, in the total amount of EUR 253,880.

Hudolin said on the occasion that small and medium enterprises were the cornerstone of economy in the EU, providing 85% job positions in the private sector.

– Through these projects, we have an opportunity to work on gradually reaching these standards in this part of Serbia as well. Your companies have been chosen thanks to the result they've made, but also for their potential. This is an investment in a better, more productive future – Hudolin said.

State secretary at the Ministry of Economy, Dragan Stevanovic, said that the year 2016 was the year of entrepreneurship for the Government of Serbia and that small and medium entrepreneurs would get support from the state budget as well, which had enough money for the purpose.

– Entrepreneurs are an essential part of Serbia and the government will work even more intensively on supporting the private sector throughout this year and the next one. There's money in the budget and we will prepare programs in cooperation with the EU programs – Stevanovic said.

Grad Vranje

Government of Switzerland

Delegacija Evropske unije u Republici Srbiji Beograd

Ministarstvo privrede Republike Srbije

Vlada Republike Srbije

Bunusevac Free Zone

Slobodan Milenkovic

EU Delegation to Serbia

Steffen Hudolini

EU Progress

Dragan Stevanovic