Goran Petkovic at today's press conference
Speaking at a press conference, Petkovic said that the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, and the companies “Babin Zub” and Stara Planina will call for tender a co-investor, in the Financial Times, Belgrade daily Politika and the Official Gazette on May 5.
Following that the co-investor chosen through the tender will get the right to build facilities, he explained and pointed to the fact that one of the conditions is that the investor must have at least three years of experience in this area, and an appropriate level of financial activities in the tourism sector.
According to Petkovic, the master plan for the development of tourism in the area of Stara Planina envisages that tourism is to be developed in three phases. In the first phase an apartment-hotel complex is to be constructed by 2010.
He said that the total value of the investment exceeds €250 million, of which €170 million will be invested by private businesspeople for construction of the hotel and facilities for tourists, while €30 million will be invested in public infrastructure and €56 million in ski-infrastructure.
The mountain apartment-hotel complex on Stara Planina will have a golf course, spa, and ski centre, said the State Secretary and added that Stara Planina with its untouched natural beauty should be opened up to tourists in a professional manner.