A new German factory that makes socks was opened in Leskovac on Friday, and President Boris Tadic said at the event he was extremely proud the company had chosen to invest in Leskovac.
Tadic stressed the relations between Serbia and Germany were of fundamental significance for Serbia’s European future and its people’s better life.
“I am honoured to take part in the opening of such a facility, where 600 people will find jobs. I am proud Falke chose to invest in Leskovac and its people, who are good and hard-working,” Tadic stated at the opening.
Director Paul Falke, Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister Verica Kalanovic and German Ambassador Wolfram Maas were also present at the ceremony.
Tadic stressed the relations between Serbia and Germany were of fundamental significance for Serbia’s European future and its people’s better life, because Germany is an engine of the global economy and records the best results.
“Serbia can only benefit from working with Germany,” Tadic pointed out.
Serbia faces new challenges in the future, even though some investors are returning, he added.
“The competition is merciless. It is not just companies that are fighting, but countries too, for jobs and investments. A job is like scoring a goal in football or a basket in basketball. It is the objective of the global struggle today,” Tadic remarked.
Stressing that the struggle is very difficult, he said workers keep their jobs through their knowledge, skills and discipline, but also “secure jobs for others, who do not have them.”
“Because the way you work is the key information to new investors in making their decision to invest in Serbia. A worker trained in Germnay is a benefit for Serbia, because he sets a new standard of work,” the president stated, adding that it also raised the countries credibility in the world.
Serbia will continue fighting for jobs, investments and a better standard of living for its people, because there is no alternative to that battle, just like it is going to continue its progress towards the EU, because life in the EU will continue to be better than in other countries, despite the current crisis, Tadic said.
“Germany is one of our key partners. We have increased our cooperation with Germany, brought in investors, and Germany is also the biggest donor. But, I believe new possibilities are opening up in the German business community as well now that Serbia has received the status of a candidate for EU membership. We will continue to bring German investors. I expect many German companies will soon be Serbian companies too.”
The sock factory in Leskovac is an investment of over EUR 10 million.
The plant will make up to 15 million pairs of socks and women’s stockings a year. It will employ 600 people, making Falke the biggest employer in the region.
Falke employs 3,000 people globally. The company’s turnover in 2011 was in excess of EUR 240 million.
Serbian President Boris Tadic said in the city of Leskovac, southern Serbia, on Friday that the latest investments in that city signified a new beginning in its business and industrial life and also opening of new opportunities.
After the opening of a new car parts factory by South Korean company Yura and a new factory by German socks manufacturer Falke, Tadic said that Serbia would continue to fight for new jobs and investors.
“We will not rest until we have another car maker in Serbia, and another manufacturer of electronic devices in Nis,” said President Tadic.
He told Yura managers that Serbia wanted to continue its cooperation with the company and also addressed the representatives of the Hyundai and Kia car makers who were present at the opening ceremony, telling them that Serbia was yet to fight for them.
“These are simple plans, yet difficult to realize. But we are ready to put our back into it and make them come true,” Tadic
said.
Addressing Yura’s workers, he said that the quality of their work was vitally significant as it would also help other people get jobs, because the good news about Serbia’s favourable investment climate and labour quality would reach other potential investors.
“New opportunities are being opened, but whether we will use them in these times of unprecedented impact of the economic crisis depends on us ourselves,” Tadic said.
Tadic stressed that in times of recession one could not rely on traditional solutions for problems, but should rather seek new, innovative means to meet the challenges.
He added that it was also important for everyone to understand their own role in the process, as the challenges of the crisis could not be faced successfully without that.
“Everybody in the world are in search for the best possible conditions for new jobs, which brings the role of workers to the fore, side by side with the role of the president or the prime minister,” Tadic pointed out.
Stressing that Serbia would not give up on its EU path since 20 years from now, the EU would still be the best place to live in, Tadic said that reaching the better life depended on the roles we all would assume individually.
The opening of the Yura’s facility was also attended by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Verica Kalanovic.
Source Emg
