Deal on Smederevo steel mill close

LONDON - A deal on the Smederevo steel mill is very close, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has said after discussions with Esmark Inc. CEO Jim Bouchard in London.

A public invitation will be issued in seven or eight days, with a tender to follow in 35-40 days, Vucic told the RTS.

Vucic, who is on a visit to London, spoke to Esmark representatives about the Smederevo steel mill.

"I think that we had very fruitful discussions, as Esmark has said, and I think that the steel mill workers have a reason for satisfaction," Vucic said late Tuesday.

Vucic said that the discussions with Bouchard were the most important meeting for Serbia even though he also spoke to Tony Blair, William Hague, Philip Hammond and Boris Johnson.

The Serbian prime minister said that he will convey the good news to trade union officials upon returning to Belgrade.

The Smederevo steel mill, which currently produces 380,000 tons of steel a year, will produce 2.2 million tons a year, which is equivalent to an increase from USD 320 million to USD 1.4 billion, Vucic said.

The news about the steel mill is good news for the workers in Smederevo, as well as for all of Serbia, the prime minister noted.