Arandjelovac hosted the presentation of a new development programme EU PRO, aimed at fostering the overall economic and social development of 99 local self-governments in Sumadija, West Serbia, and South and East Serbia.
Over the course of next three years, the activities of EU PRO – a programme funded by the EU to the tune of EUR25 million and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in partnership with Serbian Government – will be aimed at improving competitiveness of the local economy, business environment and strengthening of social cohesion in towns and municipalities covered by the programme.
At the EU PRO Programme presentation, the Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic said that Serbia received some EUR200 million in grants annually from the EU, while the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi pointed out that the new programme included 99 out of 174 municipalities in Serbia.
We seek to maintain the regional stability, as it is the only way to secure a higher living standard for our citizens, Joksimovic said, adding that the foreign policy of the country, with EU membership as its top priority, has brought stability, foreign investment, greater influence of Belgrade in international relations, numerous donations, etc.
She said that Serbia should equip itself to use large EU funds, once it becomes a member.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi said the EU “encouraged municipalities and local businesspeople to make the most of the EU integration process,” adding that SMEs are the backbone of European and Serbian economies.
He reminded that the European Union was Serbia’s biggest trade partner and investor.
“In the past eight years, the trade exchange with Serbia has nearly tripled. The EU accounts for nearly two thirds of Serbian exports. More than three quarters of foreign investment comes from EU companies,” Fabrizi said.
He also said that nearly 200,000 people in Serbia work for EU-based companies.
“At the recently held Sofia Summit, the EU confirmed its commitment to making Serbia a part of it,” Fabrizi said.
Ambassador Fabrizi said that the European Commission has welcomed economic reform in Serbia, but also pointed to the need for making more effort toward the strengthening of the rule of law.
Furthermore, the presentation launched a EUR4.5 million call for proposals aimed at entrepreneurs and micro and small enterprises for the purchase of equipment and advisory services.
The programme has already launched four public CfP aimed at improving public and business infrastructure and the formulation of planning and technical documents for which the EU had allocated a total of EU10 million.
On the occasion of the EU PRO presentation, Arandjelovac also hosted the EU Project Fair which showcased a portion of current EU assistance in Serbia, including successful examples of support for entrepreneurship and SMEs provided through various EU programmes.
