Agreement signed on cooperation between USAID and 19 municipalities in Serbia - 346m EUR already invested

(Kameran Manter)

The Ambassador of the USA to Belgrade, Kameron Manter, said yesterday (September 9, 2008) in Belgrade that he believed in success in the development of Serbia. Manter said that on the occasion of the signing of the Agreement on cooperation between the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and representatives of 19 municipalities and cities on economic development of these municipalities and cities.

The USAID's program for stimulation of economic development of municipalities was signed by the representatives of Sombor, Pirot, Zaječar, Sremska Mitrovica, Valjevo, Preševo, Medveđa and Bujanovac. These municipalities will obtain support from MEGA programme of USAID for economic development, marketing and promotion, strengthening of administration, as well as non-refundable funds.

- With the assistance of USAID, 346m EUR worth of direct investments have been realized in partner municipalities and cities since year 2006, and 6,409 jobs have been created in 270 newly founded enterprises - Manter pointed out.

Annex to the agreement on cooperation with 11 municipalities was also signed yesterday in Belgrade. This Programme is now broadened to include strategic development and concrete technical assistance, training for administration and non-refundable financial aid. These municipalities are Arilje, Čačak, Kraljevo, Leskovac, Pančevo, Paraćin, Pećinci, Prijepolje, Smederovo, Šabac and Vršac.