BACEVIC: Morava Canal project to employ 100,000 people

Milan Bacevic (Photo: mprrpp.gov.rs)

Minister of Natural Resources, Mining and Spatial Planning Milan Bacevic stated that the first phase of the Morava Canal project could secure jobs for about 100,000 people.

- I am sure that this will create conditions to increase both quality and quantity in agricultural production, energy sector, tourism, construction industry, development of infrastructure on river banks... - Bacevic told the daily Vecernje Novosti.

Chinese company Gezhouba Corporation, which prepared a feasibility study for the Morava Canal, is also interested in applying for a concession for that project and has already notified the Serbian government of this.

When asked if there were some other candidates for the construction of the Morava Canal and whether the Chinese would be concessionaires, Bacevic said that he had not promised the contract and concessions to anybody.

- I want us to implement the Morava Canal project. I want everybody who finds interest in it to participate. That does not have to be China. It can also be Russia, Germany, the USA, Italy... - said Bacevic.

The minister also noted that the project value was smaller than speculated.