Minister of Economy and Regional Development Nebojsa Ciric attended the presentation of certificates on favourable business environment, allocated by the National Alliance for Local Economic Development and stated that there can be no large investment without active participation of the local self-government.

Speaking at a ceremony, where these certificates were presented to Nis, Zrenjanin, Cacak, Valjevo, Zajecar, Stara Pazova, Sremska Mitrovica and Ruma, Ciric stressed that these are all local self-governments that grasped the significance of better business conditions and better ways to provide services to citizens and the economy.

The Minister observed that there is a market game in Serbia now between local self-governments which compete to attract investors and create new jobs.

The municipalities that received certificates want to accelerate economic development, he said, adding that these certificates imply both greater competence and greater responsibility.

The certification of municipalities in Serbia is carried out with the support of the USAID.

The presentation of certificates was attended by US Ambassador to Serbia Mary Warlick, Ambassador of Japan Toshio Tsunozaki, Swiss Ambassador Erwin Hofer and Representative of the EU Office in Belgrade Alberto Cammarata.