GROWTH-ORIENTED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT (GOLD) BASIC INFORMATION AREA 734 km 2 POPULATION 114,633 BIJELJINA REGION POPULATION 300,000 ELEVATION 90 m TRANSPORTATION Closest Airportskm Tuzla (BiH)70 Belgrade (Serbia)122 Sarajevo (BiH)194 Banja Luka (BiH)228 Zagreb (Croatia)322 Closest Portskm Brko (BiH)40 Sremska Mitrovica (Serbia)70 Belgrade (Serbia)122 Split (Croatia)445 Favourable geographic position Favourable geographic position Convenient and easy access via roads, river ports, rail and air Qualified and competent work force Investment ready locations in industrial zones Competitive tax rates and customized incentives Local government Local government - supportive at every stage of investment and committed to continuous improvement of business environment Natural resources Natural resources - thermal water, water, arable agricultural land, kaolin clay Tradition and history in agriculture, food processing, wood, metal and garment industry Cost of energy and utilities among the lowest in Europe Regional educational and health care center Good and safe place to live WHY INVEST IN BIJELJINA? AGRICULTURE FOOD PROCESSING METAL INDUSTRY WOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY MAIN SECTORS 53,926 ha quality arable land 15,600 registered agricultural households 100 ha greenhouse vegetable production 1,500 ha land with irrigation system AGRICULTURE ILLUSTRATIVE COMPANIES IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR CEREALS, INDUSTRIAL AND FORAGE CROPSTOBACCO PRODUCTION AND PURCHASING Poljoprivredno dobro Semberija Bijeljina Poljoprivredno dobro Semberija Bijeljina FOOD PROCESSING PROCESSING OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES: marmalades, juices, compotes, pickled food PRODUCTION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS GRAIN PROCESSING AND BAKERY PRODUCTS PRODUCTION OF ANIMAL FEED PRODUCTION OF MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS ILLUSTRATIVE COMPANIES IN THE FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR PROCESSING OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS INDUSTRY ILLUSTRATIVE COMPANIES IN THE FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR PRODUCTION OF ANIMAL FEED DAIRY PRODUCTS PRODUCTION GRAIN PROCESSING AND BAKERY PRODUCTS METAL INDUSTRY MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT FOR AIRLINE INDUSTRY PRODUCTION OF PARTS FOR VEHICLES PRODUCTION OF MACHINERY AND FINISHED METAL PRODUCTS PRODUCTION OF EQUIPMENT, ELECTRODES, REINFORCING MESH, FLEXIBILE TUBE AND RAIL GUIDES ILLUSTRATIVE COMPANIES IN THE METAL SECTOR MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT FOR AIRLINE INDUSTRY PRODUCTION OF PARTS FOR VEHICLES PRODUCTION OF EQUIPMENT, ELECTRODES, REINFORCING MESH, FLEXIBILE TUBE AND RAIL GUIDES FINISHED METAL PRODUCTS WOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY FURNITURE PRODUCTION PRODUCTION OF WOODEN PANEL BOARDS PRODUCTION OF ECOLOGICAL PREFABRICATED HOUSES AND WOODEN HOUSES PARQUET, BRIQUETTE, SAWMILL PRODUCTS ILLUSTRATIVE COMPANIES IN THE WOOD PROCESSING SECTOR ILLUSTRATIVE COMPANIES IN THE WOOD PROCESSING SECTOR PRODUCTION OF ECOLOGICAL PREFABRICATED HOUSES AND WOODEN HOUSES FURNITURE, WOODEN PANEL BOARDS, PARQUET AND WOODEN FLOORS TOURISM CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION TRADE OTHER GROWING SECTORS ILLUSTRATIVE COMPANIES TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION MACHINE PLASTIC TRADE PVC AND ALU CARPENTERY TURISM MAST AND FLAGS PRODUCTION CITY OF BIJELJINA EXPORTS Country% Germany 18%18%18%18% Serbia 17% Slovenia10% Montenegro 7%7%7%7% Singapore 6%6%6%6% Austria 5%5%5%5% Other countries 37% TOTAL100.00% ENERGY AND UTILITY COSTS ItemUnitUnit price in EUR excluding VAT Electric energy KWh0,06 EUR Water m30,85 EUR Wastewater for business customers m30,85 EUR Among 32 European countries electricity costs are the second lowest in BiH* *Source: According to the Statistical office of the European Union (Eurostat) AVAILABLE WORKFORCE Total available workforce 14,118 EMPLOYED WORK FORCE PER SECTORS Average Gross Salary: Skilled workers 690 EUR Unskilled workers 430 EUR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS & SECONDARY SCHOOLS Secondary school students University students Universities 23 Faculties 6 Secondary schools OVERVIEW OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS High SchoolsNumber of students Agriculture, nutrition and medicine 1059 Electrical and mechanical engineering 1024 Classical education, social and linguistic direction, ICT 913 Economic school609 Geodesy and construction, commerce and law 463 FacultiesNumber of students Economics1.520 Law, IT, anglistics, economy, tax system, art School and preschool teacher1.340 Pharmacy, nursing, psychology, agriculture 402 HIGH SCHOOL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRIAL ZONE 1 North West urban area of Bijeljina City Surface 32ha Greenfield Purpose: Residental zone Trade and service zone Industrial manufacturing zone North West urban area of Bijeljina City Surface 39,5ha Greenfield INDUSTRIAL ZONE 2 Purpose: Residental zone Trade and service zone Industrial manufactoring zone North West urban area of Bijeljina City Surface 22ha Greenfield INDUSTRIAL ZONE 3 Purpose: Light industry Small businesses West urban area of Bijeljina City Surface 95ha, 18ha is property of Bijeljina City Greenfield INDUSTRIAL ZONE 4 Purpose: Industrial manufactoring zone Light industry Small businesses *Profit tax rate: VAT rate: Serbia 10%, 20%; Croatia 5%,13%, 25% *Personal income rate: Serbia 10%, 15%, 20%; Croatia from 12% to 40% INCENTIVES Payment of land in industrial zones within 60 months without interest rate Customized incentive programs for each prospect based on: size of the investment number of jobs, value of jobs whether the investment is in a priority sector or vertical 70%-90% reduction of charges and fees for production facilities ILLUSTRATIVE INCENTIVES: CITY OF BIJELJINA PERMANENT ECONOMIC COUNCIL -To exchange information on regular bases between public and private sectors - To propose measures for community development and improving the competitiveness of the economy and the Citys business climate PERMANENT ADVISORY BOARD FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS MAIN GOAL OF THE COUNCIL IS IMPROVING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IN THE CITY OF BIJELJINA -To debate on the measures and initiatives of economy sectors and propose them to the government -To consider initiatives for partnership projects and their implementation COUNCILS TASKS: NATURAL RESOURCES SURFACE WATERCOURSE The rare relict species of fish Umbra krameri (minders) is discovered in Gromizelj. This fish is only found in a few areas in Europe. Gromielj is also habitat for many plant and animal species from the red list of endangered species, some of which date from the time of the Pannonian Sea. Bijeljina City is surrounded by river Sava (31 km) and Drina (63 km). These two rivers are rich in sand and gravel. QUALITY OF LIFE Cultural and artistic events Regional hospital and developed network of private health care instututions Recreation and health care-Spa Banja Dvorovi Unique natural resource-hot water spring (75 Celsius degree). Existing spa facilities include spa, hotel, five outdoor swimming pools, health care centre, restaurant, park and sport grounds. QUALITY OF LIFE Ethno Village Staniii 20 old wooden houses from different parts of BIH and Serbia, mils, dairies, barns, blacksmith shop with autentic furniture and equipment, lakes, taverns, restaurants, sports and recreation section, hotels, monastery... CONTACT DETAILS City of Bijeljina Section for Local Economic Development and European Integration Trg Kralja Petra Karaorevia Bijeljina Tel: ; Fax: Web:www.gradbijeljina.org,City of Bijeljina Department of Economy and Agriculture Patrijarha Pavla Bijeljina Tel: ; Fax: Permanent Economic Council of the City of Bijeljina