Minister Joksimović and the EU Director-General for Enlargement Negotiations Awarded Grants to 68 Micro and Small Enterprises in Kraljevo

Ms Jadranka Joksimović, Minister of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia and Mr Christian Danielsson, Director-General for Neighbourhood Relations and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission awarded the grants worth close 1.4 million Euros to the representatives of 68 micro and small enterprises that will be supported through the EU PRO development programme.

"Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises are crucial for the development of a healthy Serbian economy the same as they are the backbone of the sustainable economic development of in the EU countries," Jadranka Joksimović, Minister of European Integration of the Government of the Republic of Serbia said when awarding certificates to enterprises operating in Zlatiborski, Kolubarski, Mačvanski, Moravički, Podunavski, Pomoravski, Rasinski, Raški, Toplički and Šumadija district.[1]

"The Government of Serbia is determined to use this period before full membership of Serbia into the EU, when there are available funds, various programmes and opportunities, in the best possible manner to develop not only our economy, but to move towards sustainable development," Jadranka Joksimović said.

"It is important to be persistent and not give up when the first obstacles occur and  say that we should not be in the EU because they also have problems. The European Union is a club of states that have proved that common interests and formulation of common policy have brought peace, prosperity, and better living conditions,” the Minister said, adding that it is important for Serbia to have good projects that will create new jobs. 

„This kind of programmes that we have been implanting together with the Serbian Government have concrete results and it means economic development. It also means you having the opportunity to fulfil your dreams but also to employ people and contribute to better lives of your communities”, Christian Danielsson, Director-General for European Neighbourhood Relations and Enlargement Negotiations said while congratulating the entrepreneurs for the funds approved.

By the end of this project the European Union will have helped altogether 106 micro and small enterprises to boost their production and product quality and create new jobs, thus enhancing the competitiveness of the local economy in Serbia. Throughout the whole project the support of the European Union will enable the purchase of equipment worth over two million Euros for micro and small enterprises.

The Mayor of Kraljevo, Predrag Terzić congratulated the entrepreneurs and said that in addition to the four projects supporting the enterprises, through the EU PRO programme, the European Union in Kraljevo also supported important infrastructure projects.

At the ceremony in Kraljevo there was the presentation of Ivko Knits from Blace, the enterprise that would receive modern embroidery machines through the EU grant worth 50,000 Euros. According to the director of this enterprise producing knitted garments, Miloš Ivković, apart from the business success, the most important thing is that they are good neighbours who employ the fellow citizens and help the community.

Elmedina Ćosović, the owner of the production store "A La Turka" from Novi Pazar, has pointed out that this kind of help through grants is instrumental for young enterprises since they cannot easily get loans. As said, the support of the Government of Serbia and the European Union will help her to create a sustainable business for her family.