Opening of Magna Seating's facility in Odzaci postponed until further notice - Factory still without gas and electricity

(Magna's factory in Odzaci)

Ceremonious opening of a factory of the Canadian-Czech company Magna Seating in Odzaci, which was announced for Wednesday, has been postponed until further notice because the production facility is still without gas and electricity. This factory for producing covers for car seats is worth EUR 6 million and is going to hire 444 workers.

Although invitations were already sent to the government officials of Serbia and Vojvodina and ambassadors and everything was ready for the start of production at this facility that currently employs 70 workers, Magna Seating CEO Libor Hitri informed the public in a short statement that the opening ceremony would be postponed until further notice.

- The local self-government has fulfilled its obligation as a signatory to a strategic partnership agreement with Magna and met all its infrastructure requirements - claims Odzaci Mayor Izabela Saric.

- We've done everything to help the investor, but this is not in our power, but in the power of Srbijagas, which was supposed to bring gas to our municipality a year ago. They were constantly assuring us that everything would be fine, and it turned out exactly the opposite. It is indeed unpleasant when something like this happens, but we hope that these problems will soon be solved - Ms Seric explained.

Srbijagas should complete the ongoing construction of a measuring and control station, after which the supply of gas will start and all technical checks will be done, which is a condition to get an operating permit. It turned out that the factory was still without electricity too because the Power Supply Company does not want to turn it on until the facility is completely finished.