PANEL DISCUSSION "TOWARDS A BALANCED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT" HELD IN BUJANOVAC

14. March 2018.

Bujanovac – A panel discussion entitled "Towards a Balanced Economic Development" was held, yesterday, at the Subotica Faculty of Economics’ Department in Bujanovac.

Saip Kamberi, the Mayor of Bujanovac, said at the above-mentioned meeting that the Gumoplastika, Bujanovac Spa and Jugokop companies could be used as an economic potential of Bujanovac, which could be initiated:

“We have two industrial zones, but no investors. And why would an investor build new buildings when Gumoplastika facilities could be used. Gumoplastika and Bujanovac Spa should be privatized as soon as possible, while Jugokop should be made operational, "Mayor Kamberi said.

Aleksandar Grubor, the Dean of the Subotica Faculty of Economics, stated that Serbia was among the leading countries in Europe with regards to uneven economic development.

Zoran Stankovic, the President of the Coordination Body of the Government of the Republic of Serbia for the Municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, said that 50,000 people had left that area the year before, and that the trend would continue if economic development was not set in motion:

"We told the competent state authorities that the opening of a factory with at least 1,000 jobs was a requirement for preventing further migration," Mr. Stankovic said.

He and Mayor Kamberi agreed that ownership was the biggest problem of most companies in Bujanovac:

“Whoever you ask about Gumoplastika or Jugokop, whose companies are they, who is responsible for them, no one knows the answer, "Mr. Stankovic said.

The meeting, which was jointly organized by the Faculties of Economics from Subotica and Tetovo, was attended by representatives of business and public life in South Serbia, as well as by representatives of international institutions.

Source: Bujanovac News and Coordination Body