Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic in Pancevo petro-chemical factory

Pancevo, September 8, 2001 - In a few months' time, clear plan for restructuring and investment in enterprises of Pancevo chemical factory must be brought - said Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic on the occasion of his visit to Pancevo petro-chemical factory. He called the managing board of this factory and trade union representatives to help the Serbian government revive this enterprise.

In the talks with the managing board of Pancevo factory, Djindjic said, "we have to be aware that artificial fertilizers are our strategic products, which should help us finance our agriculture; that is why we must not jump into privatisation."

As Djindjic stressed that big companies must be revived first and then privatized.

- Big enterprises call us every day; they want to buy almost everything in the field of energy sources. We tell them "no thanks," because we are in the process of restructuring. We do not wish to become a colony, which would tomorrow pay the price the owner sets - Djindjic reiterated.

He also stressed that "food, medicines and sources of energy are strategic things" for which a clear plan must be made.

- I am sure that the Serbian government's measures would help agriculture develop both through investments and subventions - said Djindjic.

The goal of the Serbian government is to start the Serbian economy through increase of productivity and competitiveness in the market.

According to the Serbian Prime Minister, the chemical industry is one of the priorities of the Serbian government - not only because of the number of employees but also because of highly skilled workers who should be the basis of Serbia's development. There are no more financial losses. We will finance all that can be benefactive to the society - said Djindjic. He added that the Serbian government fought against oil derivatives black market and cigarette smuggling. The real industry production reduces, whereas salaries increase for 11.4%, which, according to Djindjic's words, is a phenomenon.

The Serbian Prime Minister was accompanied by Serbian Employment and Privatisation Minister Aleksandar Vlahovic, Serbian Finance and Economics Minister Bozidar Djelic and Serbian Mining and Energy Minister Goran Novakovic.

After the meeting in the chemical factory, the Serbian government's delegation will have talks with representatives of Pancevo Municipality on ecological problems.