MINISTER KRKOBABIC: THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA PROVIDES 825 MILLION DINARS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATIVES

22. February 2018.

Leskovac - Milan Krkobabic, Minister for Regional Development of Serbia, said in Leskovac that the Government of the Republic of Serbia would invest 825 million dinars in the development of cooperatives that year, which is four times more than last year.

Minister Krkobabic said that the establishment and development of 70 cooperatives would be supported that year, as well as the establishment of five complex cooperatives that would enable a higher stage of processing of agricultural products.

"The state will invest up to half a million dinars in the opening of complex cooperatives. We expect that local self- governments would provide logistical support for the opening of these cooperatives and help with making the existing cooperative structures operational once again. We will not build new buildings, "said Minister Krkobabic during a visit to the Agricultural Cooperative" Green Star "in Vinarce, near Leskovac.

“Green Star" is one of 22 cooperatives to which the state provided funds last year to purchase the equipment and machinery.

“Last year, 203 cooperatives were formed in Serbia in only a few months. We managed to raise the awareness of the need of associating. For farmers whose farms are, on average, two and a half acres large, it is the only way to catch up with the market, "Minister Krkobabic said.

He announced that the Government of Serbia would invest 25 million euros in the development of cooperatives over the following three years.

“We have reached the point that we need to form cooperatives if we want to keep people who are engaged in agriculture in the countryside. Nearly three-quarters of the population live in rural areas, and these people deserve to be encouraged by specific funds, "Minister Krkobabic said.

Source: “Beta” news agency and Coordination Body