25 November 2010

The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Office for Project Exports and the City of Niš organised the one-day seminar entitled Partnership for Sustainable Infrastructure Development on 24 November, 2010 in Niš. The objective of the seminar was to further enhance Serbian – Swedish cooperation in developing sustainable infrastructure projects.

The findings of the Heat Analyses for the territory of Niš City prepared by Swedish Consultant Companies Optensys Energianalys and Manergy were presented, focussing on future heat demand and supply solutions and present ways on how to proceed in promoting sustainable local development of Serbian infrastructure. The preparation of this study was financed by Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The seminar also gave examples of how projects can be developed from vision/idea to bankable projects including arrangement of financing and timely implementation. The presentations of strategic project development and the process for sustainable implementation of the infrastructure projects were delivered, Mr. Karl Edberg, Senior Adviser at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office for Project Exports and Mr. Anders Lund, Senior Manager, SEK, Swedish Advisory Services. Mr. Ulf Hedin from the Swedish City Vaxjo talked about what this municipality did within their jurisdictions to become the fossil fuel free.

The seminar was the opportunity for Niš Office for Local Economic Development to present their work and Mr. Randjelović, the head of the offices, presented the opportunities for business cooperation between Sweden and the City of Niš. Mr. Filipović, the executive director of Regional Development Association South presented the activities of this association and pointed out to the infrastructure development of the region.

Niš City Mayor Miloš Simonović, in his opening speech to the seminar, said that events of this kind always send the message about how important were to develop sustainable infrastructure projects. He added that if we wanted to be ready for IPA 2012 Programmes and its special components for the projects coming from South and East Serbia, we had to have good quality and sustainable projects.

The seminar was attended by H. E. Mr. Christer Asp, Ambassador of Sweden in Belgrade, Swedish Business Promotion Sector officers at the Embassy, the representatives for Standing Conference of Municipality and Towns, the representative of the Swedish companies operating in Serbia, the heads of administrative districts, representatives of the cities, municipalities and regional development agencies, chambers from commerce from South and East of Serbia.

On that occasion Marko Filipović, executive director of Regional Development Association „SOUTH“ introduced the Association to the participants.

He informed the participants on the work of the association, its objectives and role in regional development, as well as natural resources and development potentials and priorities of Pirot, Toplica and Nisava Districts.

On this occasion, important contacts for future cooperation were established with the Swedish national consulting agency SEK.

Source, www.ni.rs