Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mladjan Dinkic announced in Kraljevo today that the government and the local self-government will help to revive the economy in Kraljevo by conceding land to investors free of charge, provided they hire a number of workers.

Following a meeting with the crisis response team, Dinkic noted that Kraljevo companies adversely affected by the earthquake must be granted discounts in loan repayment, announcing a possibility of excluding them from paying VAT, depending on the degree of detrimental loss a company has suffered.

It is very important that citizens demonstrated such solidarity, Dinkic observed, adding that help to Kraljevo must continue as there are still many families without a roof over their heads.

He outlined that 18 trucks with construction material arrived in Kraljevo today, donated by companies Nekse Grupa, Simpo and Skijalista Srbije, calling upon citizens and companies to help Kraljevo if they can.

The funds from the 2010 budget revision, which the government yesterday earmarked, will be used to erect prefabricated houses in Kraljevo.

Minister for the National Investment Plan Verica Kalanovic underlined that experts from her Ministry and the Podgorica Faculty of Civil Engineering are estimating the damage to six large public facilities in Kraljevo, noting that the goal is to renovate them in 2011.

These are the Studenica health centre, two primary and two secondary schools and a kindergarten.

The project documentation will be concluded by the year’s end and works will begin next year, Kalanovic specified.

The Deputy Prime Minister visited the Kraljevo wagon factory Fabrika Vagona and company Magnohrom and announced the employment of 1,000 workers in the next year in these two companies.

Dinkic said that the Ministry has been trying with the leadership of Magnohrom over the past few months to find a way to start production and announced hiring 450 new workers in the production of refractory bricks, which has been out of operation for the last four years.

He affirmed that €3.2 million will be invested in Magnohrom, and the first tranche will come from this year's budget adjustment in the amount of RSD 50 million.

The Deputy Prime Minister spoke with the Kraljevo wagon factory management about a deal with Republika Srpska that is interested in purchasing 600 freight wagons.

Dinkic noted that the agreement will enable 150 workers from the Fabrika Vagona Kraljevo to return to work from forced vacation, as well as the creation of 500 new jobs.

He explained that this year the government provided assistance to railcar manufacturers, adding that it will continue doing so in the future.

He also noted that it is important that Fabrika Vagona Kraljevo closes deals abroad.