Invest in Kragujevac ? – many advantages

CITY of KRAGUJEVAC

City of Kragujevac is economy administrative cultural, educational, health and political hub of

the District of Sumadija and Pomoravlje, Central Serbia and, as well as, the surrounding neighbourhood Districts.

The City Coordinates:

North Geographical Latitude 44° 22’

East Geographical Longitude 20° 56’

Height above seal level 180m.

Kragujevac is well linked with the airports:

Surčin – 160 кm

Niš – 140 km

To be Regional Airport (Lađevci)–60km

Well placed traffic routes lead from Kragujevac to other major cities and settlements along with

the railway lines that enable the traffic in 4 major directions:

Kragujevac - Beograd - Subotica - Budapest

Kragujevac - Podgorica - Bar (sea port)

Kragujevac –Skoplje – Thessalonica (sea port).

FACTS ABOUT CITY

Kragujevac has population of 180.252 citizens. It is the largest city of the District of Sumadija

and the fourth largest city in the Republic of Serbia. The urban population accounts for 147.473

and rural 32.779.

In the year 1818 Kragujevac was proclaimed the capital city of the new established Serbia.

Kragujevac began to prosper and lay foundations of the country: first Newspapers, first Theatre,

first Grammar school in 1833, Lycee – higher school in 1838, first Court House in 1820.

Gun foundry, later Military Technical Institution was relocated to Belgrade in 1851.Gun foundry

gave rise to the development of the City of Kragujevac as industrial centre of Serbia. Industry

development of Kragujevac was based at first on military industry, then car and trucks’ manufacturing.

Before the World War II Chevrolet and Willis jeeps were assembled in Kragujevac. Largest

annual manufacturing of automobiles in Zastava was 180 000 at annual level. High percentage of

the final products was exported to foreign markets; America’s market being the largest and most

significant one.

Vibrant economy, in the past, demanded investments in/and development of many educational

institutions. There are 25 primary schools and 8 secondary schools.

Kragujevac is a University Centre, that is one of the preconditions for having the status of the

city. University of Kragujevac is established in 1976 and is comprised of 11 faculties that have vibrant scientific and research activities. Today over 60 different programme studies are organised

at the University with the possibilities for post graduate studies and master’s and doctor’s degrees

acquiring in wide spectra of sciences.

FACTS ABOUT ECONOMY

Economy of Kragujevac is undergoing restructuring process

The economy of Kragujevac encompasses 1.180 companies; 20 large, and the remaining small

and medium companies.

Metal processing industries are dominant one with the biggest number of large and medium

companies that are mostly in public ownership.

There are 4.805 private sole trades in Kragujevac as follows: 4.705 are in private ownership, 38

are in common ownership and 62 are labour relations sole trades.

Trade has predominant role in the economy structure (1.645 sole trades), craft shops (1.495)

and catering (428).

Zastava Automobiles renewed the cooperation with Italian Fiat by signing the Technical Cooperation Contract for assembling ZASTAVA 10, opening the possibility to regain its position on

domestic and foreign markets.

Zastava Arms, producer of numerous models of hunting and sport arms, in January 2006 shipped

the first consignment of carbines and small caliber arms to America’s market in agreement with

Remington company.

Sumadija District has great prospects and unlimited resources for development of rural, excursion,

hunting , events organizing, health and spa and sport-recreational tourism.

The City of Kragujevac is geographically well placed in the centre of the Republic of Serbia,

along Corridor X that runs through central part of the Southeast Europe with the market of

69 million people

Macro regional center and fourth largest city in the Republic of Serbia

University center with 11 faculties and active scientific research activities

Long industrial tradition, export oriented economy and innovative business environment

are some of Kragujevac’s economy key characteristics

Established trade chains and distributive network

Skilled industry labour force

Numerous business banks and branch offices

One of four clinic centers of the Republic of Serbia located in Kragujevac

High percentage of population fluent in foreign languages (predominantly English language)

Large number of vocational secondary schools with substantial diversification of courses

Developed infrastructure for gas, electric power, heat supply, telecommunication infrastructure,

road and railroads network

Three water supply systems with capacities for long-term water supply, developed system

of mains and primary sewages and waste water treatment plant

City Administration supports fully business development

Global business leaders already present in the City through SDI

Numerous agencies, associations and for entrepreneurship development and support