07.07.2014.
Minister Gasic in Cacak and Lucani
Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic visited today the “Sloboda” Ltd. plant, the Technical Overhauling Institution “Cacak” in that city and “Milan Blagojevic – Namenska” in Lucani. On this occasion, the Minister of Defence was introduced with production programs of companies, realized contracts, business issues and growth directions in the next period.During the tour of “Sloboda” in Cacak, Minister was also introduced with the new galvanization line, which will significantly enhance the capacity of position protection, secure application of new technologies and raise the level of protection of living environment.
- “Sloboda” Cacak is undoubtedly one of the driving forces of the economy of the entire region. It used to be major, but, unfortunately, the events of 1999 brought this plant to its knees until 2009 – Minister Gasic pointed out, adding that a great investment process, a good relation between management and the Labor Union, and significant investments and technology transfers have shown good results in this plant’s case.
According to him, this, however, is not enough, because “Sloboda” needs to work even better, to expand markets and employ all available capacities.
- The special-purpose industry is one of the most stable ones in the entire Serbian economy – Minister Gasic stated.As pointed out by Director of “Sloboda” Zoran Stefanovic, this company hires 1,540 employees, and in this year, active contracts worth 56.8 million euros concerning production and technology transfers have been realized, which exceeds the estimates for this year.
Moreover, Minister of Defence visited the facility for construction of shells of medium and large caliber, currently under construction, whose activation would create conditions for capacity enlargement, optimization of production process and production of new types of shells. Furthermore, he was introduced with the prototype workshop, displaying the application of modern technologies on the new CNC equipment, and the facility for filling of artillery ammunition.
In the further course of the visit, while talking about the significance of the Technical Overhauling Institution “Cacak”, Minister Gasic stressed that this Institution’s capacities have greatly contributed to the high level of efficiency of the Serbian Armed Forces. He also announced hiring 26 new workers in the next few months, and hiring the full capacity of the Institution by 2015.
During the tour of the plant, the Institution’s Director Lieutenant Colonel Srdjan Petkovic presented the Minister with tasks, missions and goals for this institution’s growth.
While visiting the company “Milan Blagojevic – Namenska” in Lucani, Minister Gasic had the opportunity to see the capacities of the plant where the initiation of cellulose and production of various sorts of gunpowder takes place; he was also presented with the technology of racket fuel production and making of gunpowder fillings for large caliber projectiles.- The driving force of the special purpose industry in Serbia – “Milan Blagojevic – Namenska” in Lucani is the source of everything that is to be finalized by “Sloboda” Cacak, “Prvi Partizan” Uzice and “Krusik” Valjevo. We expect that, after the great destruction and losses this plant had from 1999 to 2011, it will continue the trend present in the last two years and achieve a high level of business. We also expect to find ways, with the help from the Government of the Republic of Serbia and certain guarantees, for the plant to engage in an investment of nearly 4.5 million euros – Minister Gasic stressed, adding that an approval of the Minister of Finances is expected to be granted for hiring 50 more workers.
He also underlined the importance this plant has for Lucani and this area of our country, which is another motivation to provide help for it to achieve even better results.
According to Director of the plant Rados Milovanovic, today’s visit was an opportunity to present the Minister of Defence with the new programs, projects and investments, but also with problems in doing business so far, pointing out that this plant’s imperative is to follow the development of arms and military equipment in the world.
VIDEOGALLERY- Minister Gasic on "Sloboda" plant [FLV]
- Zoran Stefanovic, Director of the "Sloboda" plant [FLV]
- Minister Gasic on TRZ Cacak [FLV]
- Lieutenant Colonel Srdjan Petkovic, Director of the TRZ Cacak [FLV]
- Minister Gasic on the "Milan Blagojevic - Namenska" plant [FLV]
- Rados Milovanovic, Director of the "Milan Blagojevic - Namenska" plant [FLV]
- Tour of the plants [FLV]
