22.12.2014.
Gasic: Zastava Arms can achieve remarkable results
Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic stated in Kragujevac today that the newly appointed Director of “Zastava Arms” Milojko Brzakovic had been elected in accordance with law procedures and that this factory can achieve significant results in the next year because it has all the support of the resource Ministry.- The contest for this position was announced two months ago, after the ending of mandate of Director Rade Gromovic – Minister said and stressed that, during today’s meeting, an agreement was reached with representatives of unions for Gromovic to stay at the factory as the Executive Director.
Gasic stressed that, for two months, the factory had regularly paid its taxes and contributions, and that the state will do everything possible for the conversion of the debts of the factory of 12.5 billion dinars, which makes it the largest debtor in the state.
- The plan for 2015 is to jointly realize the social program in order to employ young people because the factory staff is of older age – Gasic said.
Answering press inquiries about why the tax and financial police were at the factory, Gasic said that, in the past two months, security service had been receiving various legal suits and, as he said, “various speculations against the director they didn’t like”. When asked when the new director would take over the duty, Minister replied that it is up to the Supervising Board to conduct their decision.
Former director Gromovic told the reporters that “he accepted Minister’s plea to stay with the factory”.- The greatest interest of the factory that has existed for 161 years is to keep working – Gromovic said, adding that he would help the General Director.
Stressing that the factory has around 2,000 employees and numerous cooperators, Gromovic said that the employees shouldn’t worry because the factory has enough export contracts and that investments, equipment and younger staff should be taken into planning.
President of “Zastava Arms” Union Dragan Ilic stated that Minister promised full support in salary payments, investments and rejuvenation of the factory.
The meeting was also attended by newly appointed Director Milojko Brzakovic who said that he had worked at the factory for 17 years as projecting constructor and that he had been the direction director for three years, after which he was nominated for technical director of the technical overhauling institution, where he remained until his retirement.
To inquiries about the company’s plans, Brzakovic said that the will work on devising new contracts, providing new equipment for the factory, hiring new staff and reducing production costs.
- We must understand that changes are needed and I advocate for changes that can only lead to a better state – Brzakovic said, adding that it is his goal to improve business of the factory.
Tanjug
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