Content

Content ................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Banat region............................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Population & Demographics ................................................................................................................................................... 5 Historical facts......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Culture: multicultural environment & heritage...................................................................................................................... 7 Economy.................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Business Services ................................................................................................................................................................ 8 FDIs.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Export.................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Development opportunities.................................................................................................................................................. 11 Human resources .................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Valuable Human Capital.................................................................................................................................................... 12 Employment...................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Unemployment ................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Education: Banat highest level of schooling ........................................................................................................................ 13 Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Access and Transportation............................................................................................................................................ 14 Agriculture ............................................................................................................................................................................ 15 Quality of life & Leisure......................................................................................................................................................... 16 Stari Begej - Carska bara ................................................................................................................................................... 17 Deliblatska Pescara - "The Desert in Europe" ................................................................................................................... 17 Spa tourism ....................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Bela Crkva lakes ................................................................................................................................................................ 17 Kikinda Mammoth............................................................................................................................................................. 18 Weekend tourism.............................................................................................................................................................. 18 Cost of living.......................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Benefits for the foreign investors ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Business Incentives ....................................................................................................................................................... 19 Successful stories .................................................................................................................................................................. 20 RDA Banat ............................................................................................................................................................................. 21

Banat region
anat is a geographical and historical region of Central Europe divided between three countries: the eastern part lies in Romania (the counties of Timi, Cara-Severin, Arad, and Mehedini), small northern part lies in Hungary (Csongrd county) and in North-Eastern Serbia, Banat is a part of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina where the rivers Tisa and Danube are its natural borders. Because of the richness of its land, its position in between two navigable rivers, its developed neighboring regions, its vicinity of Belgrade, and its developed industry and trade, Banat region has an important role in Serbia, Vojvodina and Europe. Banat consists of 19 municipalities. Three on the North - Ada, Senta, Kanjiza are administratively part of North Banat district, but at the same time, geographically they are a part of Vojvodinas sub region Backa. The biggest town in Banat is Zrenjanin, which is the eight biggest town in Serbia. Besides Zrenjanin, the administrative and cultural centres of Banat are Pancevo, Vrsac and Kikinda. Banat is also the richest source of oil and gas in Serbia.

Municipality Ada Senta

Population 18994 25568

Surface (km2) 227 293 Bordering municipality on the North Banat. Agriculture is the main branch of economy along with food processing. Metal and textile industry and crafts are dominant. Attractive Sport centre Adice is mark of this city. It is an educational and cultural centre. The oldest painters camp in Voivodina operates in Senta. One of the two grammar schools for talented children in Voivodina is in Senta: the Bolyai Jnos Mathematical School. Rich soil, clay, oil, natural gas, and thermal waters are natural resources exploited by dominant branches of economy in the municipality, such as agriculture and food processing industry, construction material industry, and rehabilitation and recreational tourism. Austrian Tondach Group had established a roofing tile factory in Kanjia. The most significant tourist centre in the municipality is the spa resort in Kanjia. oka s economy is growing: food processing industry, agriculture, and oil wells. The Municipality of oka is also well-known for its vineyards and viniculture and famous oka wine sellers. Vegetable growing is main branch of economy. Food-processing industries, the production of the cardboard packaging materials, and to certain extent tourism, are equally important. By its annual profit, NK is ranked as third or fourth municipality in Serbia. Metal processing is a secondary priority. North Banat economic centre. Center of the Serbian clay building materials production, as a seat of the DD "Toza Markovi" company, which is the oldest clay producer in Europe. Agriculture is the main economy branch. The orchards and vineyards of Biserno Ostrvo (Pearl Island) is the only location where special grapevine grows from which the famous Krokan Muscat wine is made. The wall and floor tile industry is the main driving force of the development of the municipality. Metalwork, chemical and textile industry are also well developed. Most important agricultural and development sector relay on poultry processing industry. Recently established Chicken Fest is promoting economic and touristic development. In 2007, local authorities have unveiled a monument in the center of the town, dedicated to Rocky Balboa, famous fictional boxer. Largest city in the Banat. Economy of Zrenjanin is diverse: agriculture, building industry, transport, food, textile, chemical and metal industry. Well equipped industrial zones are basis for attraction of foreign investments. Secanj is averagely developed municipality in Banat, located on the border with Romania. Secanj started its development after 2006 flood, towards agriculture and fishing industry. Located in the southeastern part of Banat region, near the state border with Romania. Agriculture is the predominant economic activity. For many years, the economic development of the municipality has been based on two main industries: sugar and oil refineries. There is also textile and construction material industry. In the municipality agriculture is the most developed branch of economy. There is a well-known agricultural and industrial complex in Banatski Karlovac, construction material industry, and meat processing and canning factory. In the "Deliblatska Peara" sandpit, the largest sandy area in this part of Europe, there are famous hunting grounds in conifer, black locust and poplar woods. Bela Crkva is a well-known resort with its picturesque countryside, elaborate baroque facades, famous "Flower Carnival" held in summer, fruits and wines of high quality attract lots of tourists during the course of the summer season. The greatest natural treasure for tourism development is a group of seven crystal-clear lakes. Opovo municipality spreads in the south of Banat region and has a very favorable geographic and strategic position. The proximity of three major centers - Belgrade, Panevo and Zrenjanin, offers a wide prospective regarding the agricultural products sales, employment opportunities, advanced education, as well as the chance for the people to enjoy the advantages of the citys cultural, sports and supplementary scenes. Agriculture, food processing industry, is the main branch of the economy. Production of plastic packing material and textile industry are also developed. Seven beautiful castles are important architectural and historical heritage of 19th and 20th century. Agriculture represents the most significant part, although here are important industrial structures from the field of chemical, woodworking, metal, electronic industries as well as fishing. Kovacica with its gallery of Nave Arts and its painters represent a metropolis of world nave art. There are excellent transportation capabilities available via the river Danube, which forms part of the golden connection of rivers. The Rhine-Main-Danube-Waterway forms the link between the mouth of the Rhine into the Northern Sea and the mouth of the Danube into the Black Sea . An Excellent network of transcontinental (interstate) highway that connects Kovin to the rest of Europe, which runs from Amsterdam to Istanbul, goes directly by Kovin. The nearest airport located less than 60km away, forms the final link to access the Free Zone "Kovin" area. Panevo is administrative center the South Banat. It is one of the most important industrial centers in Serbia, particularly in the field of petrol-chemical processing industry. International railway route Belgrade-TimisoaraBucharest-Constance goes through Panevo, with the railway track parting for Ukraine. There is the DanubePanevo Port is positioned on the left river bank on the Danube. Panevo is less than 20km away from the capital city of Serbia, Belgrade. Vrsac is a town famous for well developed industry, especially pharmaceutical, wine and beer industry, confectionary and textile. The leader of Vrsacs industry is Hemopharn group who is the leader of the country.

Kanjia

27510

401

oka Novi Kneevac Kikinda

13832 12975 67002

321 305 782

Novi Beej

26924

609

itite Zrenjanin Seanj Nova Crnja

20399 132051 16377 12705

525 1326 523 273

Alibunar

22954

602

Bela Crkva

20367

353

Opovo

11016

203

Plandite

13377

383

Kovaica

27890

419

Kovin

36802

730

Panevo

127162

755

Vrac TOTAL

54369 688.274

800 9830

Population & Demographics

ertile land, plenty of water and temperate climate have attracted people to Vojvodina plain for centuries. Many peoples left their traces here, mixing and influence on each other left a mark on specific periods in history. The overall population of the area is about 700.000 inhabitants, population accounts for about 10% of the national total. Population density is 73 inh./km2, significantly less than the EU average and quite below from the national one.

F
.

Ratio Rural - Urban population in Banat

44,22%

55,78%

Social and economic centers of three Banat districts are in Kikinda, Zrenjanin, Pancevo and Vrsac. About 50% of the population lives there. Those Municipalities are one of the most developed industrial centers in Serbia and the region as well and represent important industrial centre, particularly in the field of petrol-chemical processing industry, including synthetic fertilizer plant, oil refinery, production of plastic products and cosmetic. There are also other significant industries: pharmaceutical, wine and beer, chemical and metal industry confectionary and textile. Crop growing is well-developed with maize being the main crop. Depopulation trend is permanent, especially in villages.

Total of rural population in Banat Total of urban population in Banat

The chart below illustrate the distribution of Banat's population by age group. As the graphs reveal, Banat has a larger proportion of its population in the midage categories.

Historical facts
ince the earliest days Banat was crossroad of many nations and historical events.The Celtic tribes were first to arrive here from western Europe bringing their culture, good quality weapons and tools, various jewelry and pottery made on pottery mills in 3rd century. Trade was developing quickly and money came on the market as a measurement of goods. Romans started spreading literacy, developed cities, built roads, intensified agriculture, developed trade and vocations and they even had a fleet on the Danube river which was very important for maintaining power and new wars. By the end 6th century, the Slavic tribes were coming to this area. Significant changes is socio - economic relationships have began by the end of 9th century when the Hungarians came from the East and settled on the major part of today's Vojvodina where they detected remains of Avarian culture, Slavic and French inhabitants. After the wars with Ottomans, this area was desolated and a lot of fertile land was destroyed. State government and Spahias started to locate population from the west Germans from Germany and north Ugar provinces. Most of the new settlers were Germans who were very skilled in rational agriculture and they knew many vocations. In order to infiltrate them in economy, government freed tham from paying taxes and gave them many other privileges. The Serbian Banat was the part of Serbian Vojvodina and part of the Voivodship of Serbia and Tami Banat in XIX century. After 1860, the Serbian Banat was part of Torontl and Temes counties of Habsburg Kingdom of Hungary. The center of Torontl county was Veliki Bekerek, the current Zrenjanin. When the World War I ended, the region became the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Since 1945, the Serbian Banat, has been part of the Serbian Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, first as part of the Second and Third Yugoslavia, then as part of Serbia and Montenegro, and, since 2006, as part of an independent Serbia. Nowdays, 100 years after the subdivision of Banat, region is EU gate for SEE countries.

Culture: multicultural environment & heritage

architecture.

hen one mentions Banat, the first thing that comes to your mind are rivers, wells and sound of not really foreign, but different language of our compatriots. There are reflections of different cultures in old city centers of Vrac, Panevo, Zrenjanin, Kikinda and Novi Beej. There are also other sights, such are village settlements and remaining of folklore There are not that many people who know that there was another bridge in place of what is known today as pedestrian bridge in Zrenjanin. The old bridge is called the Great Bridge by our eldery citizens. It was made of iron of a lace like shape and it was designed by the same person who designed the Aiffel Tower in Paris Gustav Aiffel. For one of the most known scientist famous for his achievement in area of physics, who also won Edisons award presented to him for his contribution to development of science, is someone we can also say for He is from Banat as well. His name is Mihajlo Pupin.

As you are driving towards South, one should not miss out Katel castle complex once a favourite recuperation place for both Serbian and Austro Hungarian royal families. It was here when Franz List as a very young boy gave one of his first concerts. If you continue down that direction, the road will lead you to Kovaica, a center of naive art painting in Banat. But not only of Banat naive art! Zuzana Halupova (1925-2001), was a UNICEF ambassador. Her paintings portray joy of children, kindness and play. Thanks to such values portrayed in her paintings, UNICEF rewarded her work by printing motives from her paintings on greeting cards. This area is also famous for one more authentic thing. Those are "lopte na oranje", so called ore. Sore are played each sunny day throughout spring since 1960s, but lately it's played only on Easter. Such event attracts many players and audience, it has two teams playing against each other. Game is very similar to baseball and has been played since the old days in Orlovat. The same rules for this game is played only in Vranjevo, Novi Beej and since recently in Tomaevac around Easter time, when a 'world championship' in this game is organized annually.

Economy Business Services

It is one of the most developed areas in the country, because of the favorable conditions, rich natural potentials and resources. Economic structure can be described in six key sectors: agribusiness, metal industry, oil refining and petroleum products, logistics and shared business services. The dominant positions are taken by agriculture and industry which are the main carriers of economic development. 70% of the total gross domestic product comes from agriculture and industry 40% from the industry, and 30% from the agriculture. From 2002 to 2005 GDP was changed 20%.

anat has a vision for growth which includes increased jobs, increased exports, and an increased capacity in labor, infrastructure and technology.

FDIs
erbia is on the way to becoming an EU country candidate, and Vojvodina, with Banat on the north east, is a member of the DKMT Euro region - (Danube Kris Mures Tisa). The DKMT Euro region covers southern Hungary, western Romania and Vojvodina (northern Serbia). Banat as bordering region, is a gateway to the European Union for the countries of the Southeast Europe (SEE), facilitating faster integration of the SEE region into the European Union. The region of Banat provides a secure investment environment, guaranteed by legislation that is in line with EU practices and by the national and regional governments that are willing to assist foreign companies in the FDI establishment process. Since Foreign Investments Law, came into force on January, 2002. in Banat was invested more than one billion EUR. More than 17.000 jobs were created.

The presence of high quality research and educational institutions for electrical and mechanical engineering at the University of Novi Sad provide support for investors in this sector.

Export
anat export has a significant increasing trend. In past 5 years the rate of export from Banat is 55% higher than in 2002. 59,01 % of total barter is export. Banat achieved 200 Mio surplus. It is estimated that the increase of the exchange within the given period is the result of the privatization and restructuring of the companies, the application of the preferential in the commerce on the basis of the contract on free trade with the countries that signed the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, which were consolidated into a unitary CEFTA agreement, as well as the increase of the public and consumers demand.

Food processing industry, metal, textile as well as chemical and pharmaceuticals and disposes with capacities as well in a number of other subsectors: construction, agriculture, tourism are basis of Banat export. The industry of the construction materials includes several major producers of the isolation material, bricks, roof tiles, ceramic tiles and glass.

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The best Banat export companies 2007. no. 1. North Banat "Methanol & Acetic Acid Complex" Stock Company, Kikinda Foundry "Kikinda" Stock Company, Kikinda Middle Banat Dijamant Stock Company, Zrenjanin (oil and margarine production) Radijator Stock Company, Zrenjanin (production of radiators) Fam Seanj Al Ltd, Seanj (production of auto parts) Polet IGK Stock Company, Novi Beej (production of roof tiles and ceramics) Kolpa (equipment for bathrooms) Shipyard Begej Stock Company, Zrenjanin South Banat HIP-Petrohemija Stock Company Panevo (production of petrochemicals) Hemofarm Vrac (production of medicinal products and OTC) HIP-Azotara Ltd. Panevo (production of fertilizers) Fresenius medical care Ltd. Vrac (production of orthopedic equipment) Energrom Ltd. Bela Crkva (wholesale trade of leavings and remains) West pharmaceutical services Ltd. Kovin Ratar Stock Company Panevo (grain mill products) Agroziv Stock Company Panevo (meat production) Vrsacki vinogradi Stock Company Vrac (vine and brandy production) Utva silosi Stock Company Kovin (production of tubes, silos, profiles and equipment)

2.

3.

Sugar Factory "TE-To" Stock Company, Senta

4.

"Le Belier" Ltd, Kikinda (production of aluminum auto parts) "Alltech-Fermin" Stock Company, Senta (production of yeast) "Potisje- Tondach" Stock Company, Kanjia (production of roof tiles) "Toza Markovi" Stock Company, Kikinda (production of roof tiles and ceramics) "Kikindski mlin" Stock Company, Kiknda (grain mill products) " itopromet-Mlin" Stock Company , Senta (grain mill products) "Banini" Stock Company, Kikinda

5.

6.

7.

MD Tegum Ltd, Zrenjanin Rubber production company

8.

Ballistic Protective Systems Proizvodnja Mile Dragi (production of protective and tactical military gear and sports apparel) Banat Oil Factory, Nova Crnja

9.

10.

Development opportunities

The following list of inter-related factors covers most of what matters for further economic success: 1. Government a state providing effective rule of law and social programs 2. Talent an adequate work force of healthy, capable people 3. Technology the capability to develop, adapt and implement new technologies 4. Infrastructure reliable and adequate transport and communication systems 11

anat is a growing region intent on changing perceptions and working to be one of the best places in Serbia to do business. We urge you to consider the benefits of the Banat region when starting or expanding your business.

Human resources Valuable Human Capital

ne of the most important assets of the region is human resources. Banat can offer to any potential investor its local technical expertise and management talent with international experience. Well-educated young professionals are able to communicate in English.

Employment
mployment in the Banat region has increased significantly in recent years. With a GDP growth, this increased job creation is expected to continue and improve the areas labour market conditions. The greatest increase of the employment rate compared to March 2006 was registered in North Banat district and it was 44,1% of the total number of the employed citizens.
The employment rate increase March 2006-7 % 6,1 % 38,3 % 44,1 Satified needs for employees in Banat % 89,4% 81,2% 87,1%

District

South Banat Central Banat North Banat

Unemployment

nemployment rate for Banat is 34%. 51,9% of the actively unemployed citizens are women, which is 5,1% less than at the end of March 2006.To improve employability through the development , network of relevant Banat institutions provide vocational trainings and create in partnership new jobs.

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Education: Banat highest level of schooling

he Banat region offers diverse educational opportunities for all, and is becoming recognized locally nationally and internationally. There are many educational opportunities at all levels of study to help students increase their chances of success.

Technical Faculty Mihajlo Pupin produced more than 4000 graduate students in area of IT, mechanic, polytechnic, and management. Last year there were more than 550 graduate students in 18 profiles. At the moment about 3000 students from Banat, Vojvodina and Serbia are attending the Faculty. www.tf.zr.ac.yu TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL Educates profiles needed for the economy of the Region in machine, food and textile industry. So far, more than 5000 students got the engineer diploma. The school also has a dormitory for 240 students. High school education follows current economic and development trends. Our 42 schools offer a full range of programs, including those for children with special needs and programs at the secondary level, which involve practicum placements in local businesses.

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Infrastructure
Access and Transportation

anat is in close vicinity and it is well connected with the of two high-priority Pan-European Corridors which enables efficient transportation of goods and services to the end users:Corridor X:highway Salzburg-Thessalonica, including branches Budapest-Belgrade and Nis-Sofia-Istambul) and Corridor VII: the river Danube, with access to the Black Sea, and North Sea through Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. Banat has a dense and spread out traffic network, especially the roads which are length of 2234km. Main road are directions from Belgrade-Zrenjanin-Kikinda-Romanian and Hungarian border (130 km), Belgrade-Panevo-Vrac-Romanian border (120km), Novi Sad-Zrenjanin-Srpska Crnja-Romanian border (110km). Apart from these roads which are of regional character, Banat also has a high quality network of roads of local character all settlements are connected with asphalt roads to municipal centres. The most significant direction, of the highest quality as well is BeogradPanevo-Vrac-Romanian border, where there are conditions for normal and secure maintenance of traffic. Two rivers at the same Banat borders - the Danube and Tisa are able to provide conditions necessary for traffic as well. Rivers Tami and Begej can also be used. Port Dunav is of strategic importance to Banat. It is on 1153 km of Danube, 15 km upwards from Belgrade. The port covers an area of 240 ha which belongs to Panevo municipality and has highest overturn in the state. Banat has the finest developed agricultural airplane system and airports for these purposes in Panevo, Kovin, Eka near Zrenjanin and Vrac. 14

Agriculture
anat used to be marshy, and when it was dried out, it became one of the most fertile regions in Europe. The inhabitants deal with agriculture, and all types of grains, especially wheat and corn are produced. The important cultures are also tobacco and sugar beet. Grape growing is developed near the towns of Vrsac and Bela Crkva. Banat area has 739.281 ha of good quality arable land (carbonate black soil dominates) which is 75.2% of the total area. Private agricultural land is 65% of all agricultural surfaces.

Besides primary agricultural products, Banat is well known for the significant production of different kinds of high quality seeds and materials. Vegetables like potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, peas, paprika, etc. are also grown. The largest production of paprika is in northern part of Banat, near Coka, Kikinda and Novi Knezevac. This is where special type of ground paprika is being produced by the famous food processor "Aleva" from Novi Knezevac.

In the area of agriculture, the most common cultures are grains like corn and wheat, and the industrial crops like sugar beat and sunflowers.

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Quality of life & Leisure

he Banat region is a business friendly environment rich in opportunities for business, personal, family and economic growth. Successful businesses operating create new sustainable jobs that contribute to the enhancement of a quality of life. With a focus on talent, innovation and sustainability, region is abounding with opportunity and potential. Solid economic performance, lows costs, high productivity - combined with a quality of life = Banat Banat is a growing, progressive community, with a diverse economy and a good quality of life. The region keeps and cherishes its multinational and multicultural nature, earned over the centuries. Kitchen is very diverse and has a wide variety of different meals.

For a start, if you want to live in Banat you have to adopt several principles: tolerance, respect for guests invited and uninvited, you have to hold onto your word and make decisions. Also, you have to carry this plain in your heart and share your energy with other people. Living here, you can enjoy city amenities, while it takes only about 20 minutes to get from one end of the city to another. Health care system is well developed. Banat has a long tradition in health care institutions. Each municipality has Health care centers while hospitals are in Pancevo, Vrsac, Kikinda and Zrenjanin. Protection of persons who due to economic reasons are not able alone to care among them, as well as of disabled, who due to illness or other reasons are not able to do it alone has good practice in Banat. This relates to children, as well as adult population. A region with a population of around 700,000 is often considered to be recognized as the hub of arts and culture activity. One only needs to explore the museums, the galleries, the festivals, the restaurants; the music scene, the cultural events - and you will discover a diverse and vibrant community There is a long tradition of numerous cultural and tourism events on Banat territory testifying that its citizens love their region and their life in it. The events are based on motifs from everyday life and some of them have decades long traditions. Vrsac Vintage, Festival of Folklore Creation of the Romanian inhabitants and Bora Kostic Memorial in Vrsac; Beer Festival in Zrenjanin; Ludaja Days in Kikinda; Evenings at Lipar in Srpska Crnja; Easter Eggs Wrestling Championship and Cockfights in Mokrin are some of the most interesting events.

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Stari Begej - Carska bara

t is located in the area between the rivers Tisa and Begej and it covers the area of around 1.600 ha. It is a habitat to a large number of rare birds and plants and it is the only place in Serbia where 8 types of herons make their nests and where the yellow lilly grows. It is registered on the list of nature reserves under the protection of the UNESCO.

Deliblatska Pescara - "The Desert in Europe"

he most famous excursion spot in Banat direction is Devojacki Bunar in Deliblatska pescara (about 40 kilometres from Beograd). This Small Sahara, the only desert in Europe, the names given to Deliblatska pescara, is no longer a desert. Trees and grass that were planted there have tamed the sand, and the desert is now a very attractive region. It is covered by woods of evergreens, acacia and white poplar, which shelter small and large game (hares, foxes, wolves, wild boar, deer). Partridges, quail, pheasants, wild duck and birds of prey also make up part of its natural richness. The Pescara is full of flowers, their scent and of bee hives. The dunes are mostly under orchards and vines.

T
T T

Spa tourism
here is a long history of spa tourism thanks to the abundance in termal and mineral waters. Kanjiza spa is located in the north of Banat. It specializes in treating rheumatism, nervous system and spinal disorders. The spa is used both for therapeutical purposes and for relaxation. Since 1867 SPA Rusanda Melenci, offers to all of its guests medical treatment tradition based on mineral peloid, which is considered as one of the most sanative muds in Serbia. SPA Rusanda offers medical treatments of: illness' of the central and peripheral nerve system, rheumatism, deformations in children growth and medicine rehabilitation.

Bela Crkva lakes

he Camping site ''Belocrkvanska jezera'' is situated on the City lake in the very center of Bela Crkva, 100 km east of Belgrade. The municipal territory has seven lakes nicknamed "The Pearls of Banat", which explains the nickname of "Venice of Vojvodina" given to the town. The capacity of the camp amounts to 100 camping units. The green oasis of a 100-year-old forest, as well as the variety of sport and recreation contents, characterizes this camp. It is very popular among fishermen.

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Kikinda Mammoth
ammoth, one of the most impressive mammals that ever walked the earth, is the distant relative of elephant and it lived in Pliocene epoch, from 1.8 million years ago to 10 000 years ago. The most famous representative of this specie, whose remains were found in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America, is a frozen mummified baby called Dina, which was found in Siberia in 1901.

The whole excavation site near Kikinda, with all the findings, is of great significance for paleontology because it provides evidence on the existence of refugium, ie. the refuge for a great number of plant and animal species which migrated from the north of Europe towards the Balkans because of the spreading of the ice surface. Pannonian Plain itself presented the misterious transition phase. It was a combat zone of the cold Central Europe climate and the mild Balkans climate. This is what created the specific conditions for rich flora and fauna. Considering the fact that this is an important discovery, a group of creative people from Kikinda Museum (www.kika-mamut.com) named this mammoth Kika and managed to bring the discovery closer to all those who were interested into finding out more about the mammoth, but also about the prehistoric life in this area.

Weekend tourism

he region has numerous wekeend tourism offers. There are a large number of registered hunting grounds with rich flora and fauna which represent the potential tourism resources. Banat hunting grounds represent one of the most perspective tourism resources of Vojvodina.

Banat has the first golf court that was built in Serbia. The whole complex covers the area of 45 ha and it satisfies the modern standards. The town of Vrsac is located at the very southeast part of the region and it is a centre of viticulture area. The tradition of grape growing and processing lasts for five centuries. The most famous types of wine are banatski rizling, pinot blanc, traminac, sauvignon blanc, muscat otonej i chardonnay.

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Cost of living
n the fourth quarter of 2007, the average available monthly budget per household amounted to about 500 . Of the total available budget, the money receipts make 94.0% and the receipts in kind make 6.0%.The individual consumption expenditures of the households of the Republic of Serbia amounted to 470 , of which the expenditures for food and beverages make the largest share of 39.9%.

Benefits for the foreign investors

Business Incentives

B
VAT

usiness registration is highly efficiently done at one place with the Business Registration Agency. The registration procedure takes a maximum of 18 days, with the future possibility of an on-line registration.Production: from 2,000 up to 5,000 of state grants per new job created; Services: from 2,000 up to 10,000 of state grants per new job created; R&D: from 5,000 up to 10,000 of state grants per new job created.

Tax System Corporate profit tax is the second lowest in Europe, VAT, salary tax and social insurance contributions are highly competitive in comparison to CEE.

The VAT rates are as follows: The standard VAT rate - 18% (for most taxable supplies); The lower VAT rate - 8% (for basic food stuffs, daily newspapers, utilities etc.). Corporate Profit Tax Corporate profit tax is paid at the uniform rate of 10%. Non-residents are taxed only based on their income generated in Serbia. The taxable base is profit determined by adjusting the accounting profit as stated in the profit and loss statement and in accordance with IFRS, accounting legislation, and the provisions of the Corporate Profit Tax Law. Personal Income Tax The personal income tax rate is 12% for salaries, while other personal income is predominantly taxed at the rate of 20%. Social Insurance Contributions Social security contributions are paid by both the employer and the employee. The base for calculation of social security contributions is the gross salary. The minimum base for contributions is 40% of the average monthly salary in Serbia, while the maximum base is 5 times the average monthly salary. Company Registration Business registration is highly efficiently done at one place-with the Business Registration Agency. The registration procedure takes a maximum of 18 days and the total cost amounts to $335. The minimum capital to establish a company totals 10,000 or 25,000 for a Joint Stock Company, and 500 for a Limited Liability Company. 19

Successful stories

We made some recommendations based on our experience in Zrenjanin municipality and thus affected the decisions of the other investors to join us. Out of all the locations we saw in Serbia, in cooperation with SIEPA, this was the only one with the appropriate infrastructure and the capacity of electric energy necessary for successful production. It is equally important to emphasize the well trained human resources. The second step is the cooperation with Zrenjanin municipality, which was better compared to the ones in the vicinity, and also the cooperation with the National Employment Service, which helped us chose good quality staff. I have only positive impressions from Zrenjanin. People are hospitable. They gave me the strength and will to stay and now I have many friends. Adolfo Carlo Perosi Deputy Director Fulgar East

We chose this location because our product is time limited and we needed to find the team which would be able to respond to that request. I have very positive impressions on the cooperation with the municipality which responded every time we asked for help. Our staff is motivated and interested in their job, so we almost have no problems. The culture and people who are ready to accept innovations and to carry out their work made the strongest impression on me. Jorg Pachnatz Plant Manager Draxlmaier

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RDA Banat

orking together with partners, RDA Banat performs the roll of the leader of the economic development on Banat territory by: - defining key priorities on Banat territory (three Banat districts)

- contributing to the use of the available resources according to the priorities - bringing partners from all sectors together and encouraging them to achieve better results, - promoting awareness of Banat opportunities.

We have grouped our policies under the three main components: 1. Business 2. Infrastructure 3. Human Resources

Services regarding the promotion of local and regional development Banat: 1. 2. 3. 4. Implementation of the policy of the development of the SME sector Preparation of Banat regional development strategy Support to municipalities Preparing and leading the grant projects

Contacts: Beogradska 11, 23000 Zrenjanin Tel/Fax: +381(0) 23 510 567 info.banat@rcrbanat.rs, office@rcrbanat.rs www.rcrbanat.rs

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