The Dairy companies "Imlek" from Belgrade, "Mlijekoprodukt" from Kozarska Dubica and "Natura Vita" from Blatnica near Teslic, signed today in Banja Luka agreement on taking milk business "Natura Vita." The contract is worth EUR 8 million.

The agreement was signed by the director of "Imlek" Slobodan Petrovic, owner of "Natura Vita" Vlado Djuric and chairman of the Management Board of "Mlijekoprodukt" Rankica Marelja, in the presence of Republic of Sprka Prime minister Aleksandar Dzombic and Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Miroslav Milovanovic.

Prime Minister Dzombic stressed that this was one of the largest acquisitions in the production and processing of milk in the Republic of Srpska, and that "Imlek ' was the largest investor in the production of milk and dairy products in these areas.

Dzombic said that Belgrade's company had so far invested about EUR 20 million, reminding that the it also privatized dairy factory in Banja Luka, took over "Mlijekoprodukt" and now "Natura Vita".

He stated that "Imlek" was welcomed to the Republic of Srpska, and said he hoped that in the future they would work together on improving and developing dairy industry in that country.

The director of "Imlek" Slobodan Petrovic said that the company had completed with the today's merging, a large expansion and regional consolidation and that this would lead to the largest dairy conglomerate in Serbia, Republic of Srpska and Bosnia. According to him, it is of great importance to the dairy industry, and thus everyone was at gain, especially contractors who will now have a permanent partner.

The owner of the "Natura Vita" Vlado Djuric said that the agreement means further strengthening of dairy industry in the Republic of Srpska and subcontractors maintain a safe placement of raw milk. He pointed out that this contract also defined the status of employees in the "Natura Vita", which is very important in the current economic environment.