As part of the support for infrastructure development worth EUR9.6 million funnelled through the EU PRO development programme, the European Union will secure over EUR4.8 million for the implementation of 21 projects in local self-governments in South Serbia, with the aim of improving competitiveness at the local level by improving the business environment and conditions to attract investments.
EUR4.5 million of the approved funds has been allocated through a public CfP, which ran from 25 April to 11 June 2018, for the implementation of nine business infrastructure boosting projects in Bojnik, Kragujevac, Paracin, Priboj, Smederevo, Sokobanja, Svilajnac, Sabac and Uzice. The projects include infrastructural upgrading of industrial zones, i.e. construction of access roads, upgrade or construction of municipal and tourism infrastructure. This way, the investment potential of the local self-governments will be boosted through cooperation with interested investors, with the goal of promoting economic growth and job creation. The projects will be co-financed by the local self-governments in the amount of EUR905,392. The overall investment in the development of business infrastructure thus amounts to EUR5.5 million.
The EU support for the creation of favourable business environment also covers the development of project-technical documentation as a prerequisite for the expansion of business infrastructure. The CfP received 18 applications, 12 out of which were approved by the steering committee to be financed by the EU to the tune of EUR274,695. The projects to be implemented in Bela Palanka, Cacak, Doljevac, Knjazevac, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Kucevo, Nis, Smederevo, Topola, Vladicin Han and Vranje will enable the setting up and functioning of industrial zones and technological parks, improve the work of business incubators, start-ups, congressional and training centres, as well as agricultural development. The local self-governments will co-finance the initiatives with a share of EUR130,891.
By offering support for these projects, the European Union contributes to the improvement of business and investment climate in Serbia, while strengthening competitiveness and creating conditions needed to yield better economic results. The projects are expected to contribute to realisation of at least 20 new investments and creation of some 1,600 new jobs.
The results of the public CfPs are available on the EU PRO website – see the list of approved business infrastructure projects here and the list of approved projects for project-technical documentation here.
The European Union supports the activities of the EU PRO, a programme aimed at promoting a more balanced socio-economic development of Serbia, with a total of EUR25 million. The programme seeks to improve competitiveness of micro and small enterprises and the business environment and to advance social cohesion in 99 local self-governments in two Serbian regions: Sumadija and Western Serbia, and Southern and Eastern Serbia. All activities on the ground are implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
