PM, U.S. ambassador open factory in northern Serbia

PM, U.S. ambassador open factory in northern Serbia

SREMSKA MITROVICA -- Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Michael Kirby opened in Sremska Mitrovica, in the province of Vojvodina, northwestern Serbia.

The plant belongs to the U.S. manufacturer of automotive systems and components Cooper Standard, which will employ about 800 workers by mid-2016.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, Vučić said that in two or three years, provided the citizens are patient and hard-working, Serbia will become a more successful country, and Ambassador Kirby said he is proud that investors from the United States are operating in Serbia.

Vučić said that the opening of the plant was supported by the Serbian government, which provided EUR 4 million, and the provincial government with EUR 100,000.

Vučić thanked U.S. partners and said that he is certain that the factory will be profitable, while the government and SIEPA will be open for cooperation and good investments.

The U.S. Ambassador said that the set up of Cooper Standard plant in Sremska Mitrovica shows what a U.S. investor can achieve in cooperation with the local self-government and authorities.

Kirby underlined that the investor obtained the building permit in only 12 days, adding that it is clear that officials in the government want to work on creating new jobs.

Cooper Standard CEO Jeffrey Edwards said that Cooper Standard is the leading, global supplier in the automotive industry, stressing that currently it employs more than 25,000 people in 19 countries

He thanked SIEPA, the Serbian government, the Vojvodina government, the Sremska Mitrovica mayor for their support during the project.