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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Developing tourism on Mt Stara Planina one of the most important projects

Belgrade, 8 December 2006

Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Services Bojan Dimitrijevic said today that the project of developing tourism on Mt Stara Planina could be one of the most important investment projects in Serbia during the upcoming period with an investment potential from €600 million to €700 million.

Presenting the first phase of the master plan for the development of tourism on Mt Stara Planina, Dimitrijevic pointed to the fact that the Serbian government’s aim is to make the mountain a leading area in mountain tourism in southeastern Europe.

He explained that according to the project it is envisaged that the total capacity of the ski resort is increased to some 30,000 skiers daily, and accommodation consists of 18,000 beds.

According to Dimitrijevic, realisation of the master plan could create 10,000 new jobs, which would be a big incentive for equal regional development, considering the fact that the territory belongs to municipalities which are insufficiently developed.

The Minister said that on the territory of Mt Stara Planina, which includes the municipalities of Zajecar, Knjazevac, Pirot and Dimitrovgrad, there is currently almost no tourism because the total number of overnight guests is only from six to seven thousand annually.

He explained that the master plan envisages potential cooperation with Bulgaria on using part of the mountain on Bulgarian territory in order that Serbia becomes a candidate country to host the winter Olympic games within ten years.

Dimitrijevic said that by December 20 works on the construction of a new four-seat ski lift, three ski tracks and 800 meter road should be finished, as well as the renovation of housing facilities on the mountain and reconstruction of the power transmission network. He added that the entire master plan will be completed by the beginning of March next year.

The master plan for developing Mt Stara Planina, which will consist of three to four phases, is being conducted by the leading international company in the area of designing ski resorts from Canada Ecosign, which was twice engaged in arranging Olympic games and several world championships, and the tourism consultancy Horwarth.

The Minister expressed his conviction that the total foreign currency proceeds from tourism in Serbia this year will reach the sum of $400 million, and from 6 million to 6.5 million guests will stay overnight.