Three Serbian Municipalities Earn “Business Friendly” Designation
During a certification ceremony at the end of September 2008, the first three Serbian municipalities to attain Business Friendly designations—Inđija, Kragujevac and Loznica—were announced by the National Alliance for Economic Development (NALED), Serbia’s Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, and USAID. U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Cameron Munter and Deputy Prime Minister Mlađan Dinkić awarded Business Friendly certificates to the respective mayors Goran Ješić (Inđija), Veroljub Stevanović (Kragujevac), and Vidoje Petrović (Loznica).
“Over the past few years, Kragujevac, Inđija, and Loznica have shown their ability to look at the business environment from the investors' point of view and have demonstrated that they are committed to doing everything possible to attract investments,” said Ambassador Munter. He added that this recognition serves “as a clear signal to potential investors that these municipalities are open for business.”
USAID, in partnership with NALED, provided financial and technical assistance in the design of this certification program. To be promoted as a good place for doing business, municipalities must meet strict criteria, including, but not limited to: having mid-to-long term infrastructure development projects that address private sector needs, a catalogue of available land and sites with updated cost information, a strategic local economic development plan developed in a participatory manner and supported by a implementation plan, a one-stop permitting center, and examples of public-private partnerships.
Mayors played a significant role in developing the criteria, recognizing that the bar must be set high for the certification to be meaningful and credible for those comparing investment opportunities in Serbia with those in other countries. Mayor Ješić noted that there are many good places to do business in Serbia, evidenced by the introduction of e-administration in 50 municipalities. “Making changes isn’t difficult—it just takes a lot of hard work,” he said. Mayor Stevanović said that the certification is key recognition for his city, achieved through a great deal of hard work and with support from the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development. Mayor Petrović stated that the certification is a great encouragement and an incentive for Loznica to continue working in the best interest of its residents.
Deputy Prime Minister Dinkić noted that Serbia is currently in its second and final phase of transition, in which greenfield investments will prevail, stressing the importance of creating favorable business environment at the municipal level to draw foreign direct investments. He pointed to the example set by Inđija, which has become a model for other Serbian cities, and to the new deal with Fiat over the future of Zastava, as strong signs of progress. Dinkić also praised Kragujevac, “a place which had initially been a loser in the transition” for its achievements.
To date, USAID has worked with the vast majority of Serbia’s municipalities to improve services for citizens and to create jobs. One of these activities, USAID’s Municipal Economic Growth Activity, was designed to work with some of the most reform-minded municipalities to help them to serve as examples for others in creating the conditions that support local economic development.
Ambassador Munter observed that during the last few years municipalities in Serbia have taken great strides toward sustainable economic development. “As impediments to investment are removed, and more municipalities follow in the footsteps of the three we are honoring today by creating business friendly conditions at the local level, I am confident that more investors will step in to invest in Serbia’s future,” he remarked.
 |
| From left: Ambassador Munter, Kragujevac Veroljub Stevanović and Deputy Prime Minister Dinkić at the certification ceremony for “Business Friendly” municipalities. |
Back to Top ^ |
