09.03.2026.
Prime Minister and Minister of Defence visit Prvi Partizan in Užice and Copper Mill Sevojno
Today, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Đuro Macut, and Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić visited Prvi Partizan in Užice and Copper Mill Sevojno, where they were briefed on the two companies’ current operations and plans for production modernization.
During meetings with the managements of the two companies, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence discussed their strategic projects, plans to expand production capacity and modernize facilities, as well as measures to further improve workplace safety.After the meetings, Prime Minister Macut and Minister Gašić toured the production facilities in both Užice and Sevojno, where they inspected new technologies, as well as equipment already in use in the manufacturing process, helping to increase capacity, improve product quality, and enhance work efficiency.
Prime Minister Macut emphasized that the delegation had visited two industrial giants in the Zlatibor District – Prvi Partizan in Užice and Copper Mill Sevojno.- I think these are examples of well-integrated factories employing nearly 3,000 people. These are very significant numbers for this region, and I believe it is a positive indicator of stable production and continued care for employees. These industries are of major national importance, particularly when it comes to the defence industry, which serves both our domestic needs and exports to friendly countries, while fully respecting all the principles of our country as a neutral state that attaches great importance to its presence beyond national borders – the Prime Minister said.
He noted that during the visit to Copper Mill Sevojno, he had the opportunity to hear impressive figures, tracing the company’s development back to the 1950s, when large-scale labour drives and strong workforce mobilization helped build this major industrial giant. Today, the company has enormous potential, with exports reaching 250 million euros, as well as big ambitions, but also a wise strategy focused on investments in energy self-sufficiency.- I think that large factories like these, industrial giants, must survive in Serbia. Our country is traditionally linked to heavy industry, i.e. processing industry, which creates opportunities for people living in Serbia and in the surrounding countries, i.e. in the areas where factories like these are located, employing a large number of people – said the Prime Minister, expressing his confidence that Sevojno is one of the most representative municipalities in the Zlatibor District in terms of development, so it should serve as the “engine of the entire region”.
Speaking about Prvi Partizan, the Prime Minister noted that the postponement of exports from the defence industry last year had been due to military operations in the region. He emphasized that Serbia, as a neutral country, carefully chooses its partners, and added that the conditions have now been created for the implementation of plans, i.e. the fulfilment of contractual obligations from the earlier period.Following the tour of the two companies, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić emphasized the strategic importance of investing in domestic industry and the state’s support to it.
— Investments in modern equipment and new technologies at Prvi Partizan and the Copper Mill bring multiple benefits – not only for the people and the economy of this region, but also for strengthening the competitiveness of Serbia’s domestic industry. The support of the state leadership, headed by the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vučić, makes it possible to invest in the modernization of production facilities, improvements in product quality, and the creation of new jobs, which directly contributes to the development of local communities and the overall strengthening of the country’s economy. Tradition and innovation go hand in hand here. This is a path that leads towards the creation of a stronger and a more competitive domestic industry – the Minister of Defence said.Today’s activities were attended by the Acting Assistant Minister for Material Resources, Nenad Miloradović, the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence, Colonel Nikola Matović, and representatives of local self-governments.
