Serbian Minister Aleksandar Vlahovic

Belgrade, September 7, 2001 - Serbian Minister of Economy and Privatization Aleksandar Vlahovic and his aides showed up at today's news conference with caps on their heads, sporting the slogan of the Ministry's new nationwide educational program on privatization.

- All citizens should be informed about the privatization process - said Vlahovic and marked the beginning of the educational campaign "Turn to high return" organized by the Serbian Economy and Privatisation Ministry, adding that the goal of this drive was to inform the public about the privatization process in Serbia.

Privatisation is one of the most important elements of economic reforms, and as it was pointed out at the news conference in the Serbian Government building, it represents the long-term recovery of the Serbian economy and general improvement of living standards. This is the core message of the "Turn to high return" campaign. In the next three months, the programme will be presented, so as to raise the level of public knowledge about the privatization process "because everybody should stand behind the goal of a modern Serbian economy."

"Hot" autumn

Speaking on the current situation, Minister Vlahovic stressed that 20 tenders were started, and that another 11 enterprises were to enter the tender process next week. Till the end of the year, auction for three or for enterprises should begin as well. - A "hot" autumn is before us when we are talking about privatisation. We expect first successes, new chances and the turn of the total surroundings in Serbian economy - said the minister at the press conference, adding that we would not get the announced DM330 million because we gave up the idea of selling the three cement factories. Vlahovic, however, expects a greater influx of money at the beginning of the next year.

- The public is not sufficiently acquainted with the Privatisation Law and activities of the Serbian government's Agency for privatization. Therefore, we started this educational campaign and if we do not achieve the desired results in three-month's time, we will extend the program -Vlahovic said.

The Ministry will focus its activities in several tracks. One million illustrated brochures about privatization and its methods will be distributed throughout Serbia in the next few days. On Monday, September 10, a presentation will be held in the "Sava" Centre. Businessmen from across Serbia, the diplomatic corps, potential investors, representatives of foreign banks and some of the most important foreign donors will be in attendance.

The campaign "Turn to high return" also includes a television commercial series and billboards. Publications in English are planned, and they will be distributed to foreign partners, as well as to our embassies abroad, and to foreign diplomatic representatives in Belgrade. According to the Minister, a two-hour programme on state television (RTS) will be aired, and various seminars and counseling services will be organized with trade union representatives and local authorities.

- The whole promotion is envisioned through personal contact and that is why we are starting a tour throughout Serbia next week. We will visit the 50 biggest towns in Serbia. We will not stay in our offices and halls, but rather we'll visit markets and public squares, where we will try to explain to our citizens the difference between a tender and an auction - said Aleksandar Vlahovic.