The Serbian Privatization Agency stated that at today's public tender for the purchase of immovable property of company Niteks from Nis, the only bidder, the Italian company Benetton, accepted the starting price of EUR 3,017,515.

In line with the previously signed Memorandum of understanding, Benetton will employ 2,700 workers and invest EUR 43 million and the planned annual turnover is EUR 72 million.

The state will support this project with 9,000 euros per employee.

This investment was supported by the Serbian government, the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development and the city of Nis, which will enable unimpeded work to Benetton through incentives for employment, training of staff and administrative and infrastructure support.

Privatization Agency Director Vladimir Cvetkovic said that the arrival of Benetton in Nis is continuation of the practice of making strategic partnerships with large international companies such as Fiat, Yura, Panasonic or Falke.

On behalf of Benetton, the contract was signed by Benetton Niteks Manager for Serbia Flavio Simonetti, who did not want to give statements after the auction.

Many people will find jobs in Niteks, which will start production in June or July, President of the Independent Trade Unions in Nis textile factory Nitex Zoran Tosic told Tanjug.