Q:
A:
Kostunica opens Simpo sponge factory in Bujanovac
Belgrade/Bujanovac,
12 December 2006
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica opened today in Bujanovac a new Simpo factory in Vranje which specialises in the production of sponges, as the basic raw material for making furniture and mattresses.
Author:
Fonet
Speaking on the occasion, Kostunica pointed out that the government plans to improve this region by enabling equal regional development just as it has been doing so far, adding that only a Serbia that is strong in all of its parts can be a democratic Serbia ready to enter the European Union.
He said that the opening of this factory shows that the Pcinj district and Bujanovac are making big steps forward and reiterated that the Serbian government takes care that the entire country develops equally.
The opening of the factory in Bujanovac was also attended by ministers in the Serbian government - of economy Predrag Bubalo and of capital investment Velimir Ilic.
Bubalo said that 2006 was one of the most successful years, which can be seen from many foreign investments and the economic growth of 7%.
Ilic said that that government completed negotiations on gasification of southern Serbia and announced that the beginning of construction of a gas pipeline leading from the border with Bulgaria, through Nis, towards southern Serbia may begin in spring next year.
The new factory, for which the corner stone was laid in September last year, along with the already existing one, makes a complex for production of special types of sponges and it covers an area of 7,500 square metres.
During November, in the course of a trial production period, the factory employed 30 workers, and in 2007 it will have a total of 120 newly-employed workers. In this way, unemployed people in Bujanovac will get a job within the Simpo systems that employs a total of 7,000 workers.
The foreign strategic partner has invested €5 million into the construction of new factory, which is the most modern of that kind in the Balkans, so the installed capacities will enable the production of 10,000 tons of sponge per year, which is five times more in relation to the capacity of the old factory.
The factory is made in conformity with all ecological principles and the strictest world ecological standards and will enable the full substitution for the import of this raw material.
With the construction of this factory, Simpo confirmed its commitment to the development of southern Serbia which it has shown for several decades, for the opening of new workplaces and improvement of the living standard in this region, which is one of the most underdeveloped in Serbia. In the municipality of Bujanovac alone, Simpo has 14 production plants that employ 1,400 workers.
He said that the opening of this factory shows that the Pcinj district and Bujanovac are making big steps forward and reiterated that the Serbian government takes care that the entire country develops equally.
The opening of the factory in Bujanovac was also attended by ministers in the Serbian government - of economy Predrag Bubalo and of capital investment Velimir Ilic.
Bubalo said that 2006 was one of the most successful years, which can be seen from many foreign investments and the economic growth of 7%.
Ilic said that that government completed negotiations on gasification of southern Serbia and announced that the beginning of construction of a gas pipeline leading from the border with Bulgaria, through Nis, towards southern Serbia may begin in spring next year.
The new factory, for which the corner stone was laid in September last year, along with the already existing one, makes a complex for production of special types of sponges and it covers an area of 7,500 square metres.
During November, in the course of a trial production period, the factory employed 30 workers, and in 2007 it will have a total of 120 newly-employed workers. In this way, unemployed people in Bujanovac will get a job within the Simpo systems that employs a total of 7,000 workers.
The foreign strategic partner has invested €5 million into the construction of new factory, which is the most modern of that kind in the Balkans, so the installed capacities will enable the production of 10,000 tons of sponge per year, which is five times more in relation to the capacity of the old factory.
The factory is made in conformity with all ecological principles and the strictest world ecological standards and will enable the full substitution for the import of this raw material.
With the construction of this factory, Simpo confirmed its commitment to the development of southern Serbia which it has shown for several decades, for the opening of new workplaces and improvement of the living standard in this region, which is one of the most underdeveloped in Serbia. In the municipality of Bujanovac alone, Simpo has 14 production plants that employ 1,400 workers.
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