Nenad Popovic
Author:
Fonet
Speaking at a press conference held following a meeting with representatives of the international community, the diplomatic corps and international financial organisations, Popovic said that the aim of the meeting was to present the National Investment Plan, which envisages investment in the economic development of Kosovo-Metohija, infrastructure, education, health and improvement of living standards.
He recalled that for this purpose funds worth €32.5 million have been secured, which will mainly be invested in infrastructure and construction of housing facilities, and following that in education and economic development.
Kosovo-Metohija is the territory of Serbia and no one can be against economic development. I received a similar answer from UNMIK and ethnic-Albanian representatives; no one is against economic development because everyone benefits from the building of infrastructure, roads and houses, stressed Popovic.
He said that companies which are already present in Kosovo-Metohija will be given priority for the construction of health and education facilities, which will provide employment to local population and create conditions for cooperation between Kosovo and Serbian companies.
One of the basic aims of the work of the Economic Team and the Coordinating Centre, and of the Serbian government, is creating as many jobs as possible, and with the realisation of the National Investment Plan we are fulfilling that aim, stated Popovic.
Speaking of priorities, he said that it will be the construction of asphalt roads Grananica-Laplje Selo and Zubin Potok-Dren.
Popovic confirmed that according to a project of the World Bank, the construction of at least one thermoelectric power plant in Kosovo-Metohija of 2,100 megawatts capacity is planned within the next five to ten years.
These projects will be financed by the World Bank, and the Electric Power Industry of Serbia and the Serbian Ministry of Energy and Mining are interested in investment together with a strategic partner from abroad, said Popovic.
He said that the National Investment Plan will also be presented to UNMIK representatives next week in Pristina.