State took over "Banja Koviljača"

The state became the new owner of Hotel-tourist company "Banja Koviljača" after the agreement was reached between the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance of Serbia. Long-time dilemma of what will happen to this company is resolved by the state's takeover of 99.2% of the company's stocks, while 0.8% of stocks belong to the workers.

People's representative Mihailo Purić says it is good that the joint interest of employees was preserved in HTP "Banja Koviljača", so that the property has not been sold.

- Based on the talks with the representatives of HTP "Banja Koviljača", this is the best solution for their future. The concept of spa resort Banja Koviljača and development of tourism in the region of Loznica are impossible if this company is out of the context and if we don't see Banja Koviljača as a whole. Since we have already been witnesses to several unsuccessful privatizations on the territory of the municipality of Loznica, it is good that this part, which is strategically important, is now the property of the state and that it is preserved in that way - Purić explains.

By the way, this company owns restaurants "Kur-salon", "Tri česme" and "Švajcarija", two hotels "Podrinje" and "Beograd", holiday hostel "Gučevo", as well as villas "Bosna" and "Koviljača".

- Now HTP as a state-owned company will be able to apply with various projects and programmes for the funds of the Development Fund of Serbia and other authorized ministries, as well as banks and other funds. If we failed to do that, the company would go bankrupt, and since the spa's park is a whole, it would be out of the question to have both the Special Hospital for Rehabilitation as a modern European institution and HTP in bankruptcy in the same park - says Mihailo Purić.

The state earlier provided social programme for 60 workers of this tourist-catering company and enabled resolving of social problems in other ways as well.