Old market in Doljevac to become modern trade complex - USD 800,000 required for construction of distribution center

(future look of the distribution center)

In one of the oldest trading places in the southeast of Serbia, in Doljevac`s village of Pukovac, a market with a long tradition could soon become a modern distribution center.

Every day, this market gathers few hundred merchants from across the region offering various agricultural products. A rich supply at this market is a result of the favorable geographic position as Pukovac is situated in the central part of the region, between Nis, Leskovac, Prokuplje, Merosina, and Gadzin Han, Milena Stevanovic from the Office for Local Economic Development of the Doljevac municipality says in a talk with eKapija.

- For these reasons we`ve come to an idea to launch this project aimed at boosting the supply and demand for agricultural products in the territory of the Doljevac municipality and increasing the competitiveness in the region. This would lead to the economic strengthening of agricultural farms and the formation of agricultural cooperatives – says Stevanovic.

Market, stores, restaurants…

A complete project and technical documentation for the regeneration of the green market in Pukovac was finished in 2011, property relations are resolved, and both location and building permit have already been issued.

The Pukovac Trade Center project, that is, transformation of the market into a distribution center, primarily calls for the modernization of the old market.

- The plan is to set up about 200 counters on a surface area of 1,966 square meters to ensure that the market opening hours are not affected by the weather - Stevanovic explains.

Between thirty and forty outlets will be built around the market. Therefore, it will be a trade center covering 1,263 square meters and featuring mainly textile shops.

Awaiting investors

Since it is necessary to set aside about USD 800,000 for the implementation of this project and that this money cannot be provided in full by the municipality, a solution is being sought in public private partnership.

- The municipality would grant the investor a concession to use a part of the market and some outlets for a term of about 20 years, and it would also provide the complete project and technical documentation as well as building land – Stevanovic underlines.

The boosting of the market's capacity and its modernization are expected to lead to the employment of about 100 workers.

Pukovac green market is located in the central part of the settlement, some 50 meters away from the main street, that is, regional road R-214.

Municipal authorities hope they will soon find an investor and commence the work.

The Pukovac Trade Center project has been picked as one of the eight best entries at the open competition "Public Private Partnership as Development Potential", which is being implemented by the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED) with the support of the USAID Sustainable Local Development project.

I.M.