Kuršumlija's Kopaonik puts sawmill in operation and starts production of fibreboard in association with Simpo and Srbijašume

- Forestry-Industrial Combine (ŠIK) Kopaonik from Kuršumlija will put sawmill in operation and start production of fibreboard in February in association with Simpo and Srbijašume - it was agreed today (February 1st, 2010) at the meeting in the Ministry of Economy of Serbia.

The Action plan for revival of production in Kopaonik, of which workers protested at the beginning of January by blocking Niš-Priština road, was agreed at the meeting between the Minister of Economy of Serbia, Mlađan Dinkić, and the representatives of furniture factory Simpo and public company Srbijašume.

According to the Ministry's announcement, the production will be started on existing equipment and it will employ about 300 workers of this company.

Srbijašume will be supplying ŠIK Kopanik with semi-finished products, while the Ministry of Economy will provide the money for capital funds that are necessary for commencement of production.

- The possibility of commencement of production in some other factories within the system of ŠIK Kopaonik will be discussed with the experts from Simpo - it is stated in the announcement.

It was also agreed at the meeting that Simpo would open the new factory for production of high-quality fibreboard in Kopaonik in autumn.

- The Ministry of Economy will provide the loan of 5m EUR to Simpo through the Development Fund for procurement of new equipment for realization of that project. The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy of Serbia, Mlađan Dinkić, will visit ŠIK Kopaonik in early March, and he will open the new factory for production of fibreboard in autumn, after realization of the investment in new equipment - it is stated in the announcement.

Kopaonik's workers and the employees of Textile factory 7. juli were blocking main route Niš-Priština for 12 days and demanded payment of late salaries and commencement of production.