KLOKOT-VRBOVAC MUNICIPALITY OF KLOKOT-VRBOVAC KLLOKOT-VËRBOC KLLOKOT-VËRBOC 2 Invest in KLOKOT - VRBOVAC KLLOKOT - VËRBOC

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MONTENEGRO Mitrovicë/Mitrovica

3HMs3Hý Prishtinë/Priština

Gjilan/Gnjilane

*MDNRYsĂDNRYLFD /Uroševac

Klokot-Vrbovacvac /Prizren Kllokot-Vërboc ALBANIA

MACEDONIA 4 Foreword by Mayor

he municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is one of  Suitable taxes on start-ups and businesses that employ large Tthe newly established municipalities in , following the number of employees; decentralization process. Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc has a bright  Effective administration; future with a promising attractive location within the territory of  Good civil services; Kosovo. This is a useful advantage that will bring future benefi ts, but it  Appropriate economic development strategy; is also faces a path fi lled with potential obstacles and challenges. It is an  Building a nationwide marketing approach for rural tourism honor and great opportunity for me as a leader, and my staff, to follow and thermal bathing; and the best practices to administer effectively to promote this lovely place  General strategy for capitalizing on its young population. surrounded by large cities of Kosovo and to offer great potential for its citizens and neighboring citizens. Lately, through the help of our donors we are focused on identifying locations for investment opportunities that are available Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc has three comparative advantages: to potential investors through simpler administrative procedures, natural resources, mineral water springs and land suitable for supportive communication with national government institutions, growing all kinds of crops. Those three advantages will be and connections with the local suppliers. Our commitment to local the backbone of the future direction of development of this economic development is unwavering; it is my wish and desire to municipality, toward which our government will direct its energy. see investment growth and job creation. Mineral resources with curative effect and thermal sources, the surrounding mountains and the relatively mild climate makes Through working partnerships and progressive changes, all of our Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc the potential to become a tourist above goals can be achieved and Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc region with fi nancial benefi ts in Kosovo. Having this in mind, we, as can become the best municipality of all - a municipality, where all a municipal government, are obliged to pledge a high commitment citizens can proudly say we have come to a blissful place where to create a better environment for economic development and hospitality, recreation and health come naturally! job creation with a focus on the following areas: Mr. Saša MIRKOVIĆ  Investment in the factories of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc mineral waters, which have proven to be profi table and offer Mayor of Municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc opportunities for local employment; Country Data 5

Kosovo  Eliminated the depositing of founding capital for limited liability companies  South East Europe, the heart of the Balkans, time zone GMT+1.  Increased investor protection  Geo-strategic position: on the crossroads of the European corridors 7 and 10 – main link between Europe and Asia.  Part of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).  Four neighboring countries: Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.  Territory: 10,887 km2 – surrounded by mountains and divided into two sub-regions of a similar size and population, plain land,  Mild-continental climate, average temperatures: in January -5°C, in June 24°C with favorable precipitation.

Kosovo has one of the most favorable business conditions in the region. Based on the World Bank’s Doing Business Report indicators, the Government of Kosovo has taken on a thorough reform initiative to improve the business environment. More specifi cally, the government has:  Eliminated the business license  Reduced the required documentation for import-export  Eliminated the business registration tax on all businesses 6 Municipal Profi le

he municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is located in services to its citizens. Measuring the achievements of the current Tthe south-eastern part of Kosovo, with an area of 23.4 km2. running administration, we have distinguishing capacities of a young Its geographic position is convenient and is accessible to all other and promising population through: cities and the region surrounding Kosovo.  Advancing health care;  Professional educational facilities; The municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is surrounded  Tolerant cooperation among communities (Albanian, by the municipalities of /Gnjilane, Ferizaj/Uroševac, Parteš/ Kosovo-Serb, Roma etc.); Partesh and Viti/ as its mother municipality.  Provision of basic infrastructure in some villages;  Very good hospitality of the local population; The territory of the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-  Modernized road infrastructure; Vërboc is characterized with a plain landscape and it is known for  Improved maintenance and waste disposal; agricultural activities and archeological sites.  Street lighting;  Implementation of water projects on rivers with fi shing According to the latest census (2011), the total number of the resources; population in the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc  Good locations for recreation activities; is 2,551 citizens. The municipality is made up diverse ethnic communities.  Traditional food and local specialties;  Strategic approach for harvesting forest fruits and various The municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is a young herbal teas; municipality with a progressive administration ready to signifi cantly  Youth interested in the development of rural tourism; and push forward projects for economic development and improve  Other archaeological sites and buildings. 7 8 Municipal Administration 9

ocal Governance in the Municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/ The Municipal Assembly is comprised of fi fteen members, ten of LKllokot-Vërboc is comprised of two bodies: the Municipal them are of from the Kosovo Serbian community and fi ve of the Assembly (legislative body) - the highest institution of local members are Albanian. government, which consists of a plenum and permanent committees; and the municipality, as an executive body, One of the important units operating in the municipality is the consisting of the Mayor’s offi ce and Municipal Directors and Directorate for Agriculture. This offi ce is staffed with a trained staff. and proactive team that provides full support to agriculture and businesses, farmers in the municipality, starting from business The Mayor is the highest executive of the municipality and is registration services up to full-scale investor support. elected directly by popular vote for a four-year term - which means that local elections are organized every four years according In addition, the municipality has established an Agricultural to the legislative framework. Association of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc, an independent institution responsible for the promotion, support and The current mayor of the Municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot- development of the agricultural industry. Also, civil society Vërboc is Mr. Saša MIRKOVIĆ. organizations are numerous and active, and effectively contribute to this small municipality in various fi elds. 10 Natural Resources, Tourism, and Competitive Advantages

istorically, the territory of the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/ The municipality has begun existing bottling mineral water and HKllokot-Vërboc has been populated since the early signs of workshops “AS process” that produces processing equipment, such as human kind. The municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc has a UV lamps to check the bacterial quality of water, shrink wrapping foil been admired since ancient times. Its history and value is told through etc. “AS Process” currently employs fi ve qualifi ed workers. myths and legends. According to one of them, Roman legionaries discovered the healing qualities of the thermal-mineral waters in In addition to the sectors of agriculture and industrial production, the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc by chance. As in the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc has several they were passing through the area, they came across a white horse important tourist companies which are and can be the main fatigued from the war, writhing on muddy waters of a swamp. A while driving force behind economic growth and development. In the later, on their way back through the location, these soldiers saw the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc there has been same horse again, now fully recovered and in very good condition. growing successfully two economic entities operating in the sphere of tourism, “Nëna-Naile” and “Banja e Kllokotit”. In addition, there Its nature provides opportunities mainly for agriculture, but there is a mini Spa, which is an individual business enterprise, which is potential for mineral water springs, and many other activities indicates the potential for development of tourism in this area. contributing in to this area are necessary. Because of natural For now, tourism potential is largely untapped, and there are mineral water resources, the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/ opportunities to develop this in the future. Kllokot-Vërboc has a very big competitive advantage. Klokot is rich in thermal mineral water sources from which the average Another economic activity that has the potential and thereby is temperature of 38 C. This water has benefi cial effects on patients present on the territory of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is wood suffering from rheumatism, sciatica, nervous system diseases, skin processing and furniture making, in small scale production, and serial diseases, diarrheal diseases, cardiovascular diseases, post-traumatic production. Due to the presence of important natural resource conditions, so that the primary area on which to focus is the (wood) around the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc, development of spa tourism. this is a great prospective for economic activity. There are several small furniture makers, however the market is weak. Natural Resources, Tourism, and Competitive Advantages 11

Agriculture is a primary economic branch in our municipality Agro-tourism can be provided by farmers to generate additional which, in the future, will be strengthened even more and will play income. Tourists can experience farm life updates and enjoy a an important role in economic development. The placement under various range of original local products and specialties. protection of quality agricultural land and the development of agriculture is a priority.

Arboriculture and Planting - Fruits and vegetables under agricultural production as well as postindustrial plants will record the most dynamic growth rate. This has to do with creating conditions for increasing private sector plantation of seedlings and orchards (apples, pears, plums, cherries, etc. ) and small fruits (raspberries, hazelnuts, strawberries, canker roses, nuts, gooseberries and other medicinal plants) and building new greenhouses, expanding and modernizing existing ones (vegetables throughout the year) that can occur in high quality soil.

Livestock - Based on very favorable natural conditions and other conditions, production of milk and meat sub-products is the fastest growing sector. Increased livestock and improved animal breeds, especially for meat and milk, in the context of livestock development should fi t a major increase in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs etc. 12 Investment opportunities

ased on the draft Strategy for the Development of Small and  Agricultural production BMedium Enterprises in the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/  Production and bottling of mineral water Kllokot-Vërboc, the following sectors have been identifi ed as  Spa tourism priorities for investment attraction:  Wood processing Municipal Cultural Heritage 13

n the Municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc, there are Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc there are four orthodox churches Ia considerable number of churches and mosques throughout and one mosque. the various settlements of the municipality. In the municipality of

Saint Petar i Pavle Church Saint Teodor Church in Mogilla 14 Quality of Life

here are good opportunities to develop a variety of cultural On the occasion of celebrating the rural St. Perth and St. Paul on Tand sporting activities through youth organizations. There the 12th of July the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc are two football teams, as well as a cultural and artistic society organizes a masquerade “baba i deda”. During this ceremony youth that follows the tradition of the municipality’s culture and folklore. manifests with traditional music in the courtyard of the elementary Education is at a satisfactory level. There are three main schools: school “Sveti Sava”. This activity happens every year and traditionally one in Albanian and Middle Schools in Serbian with several brings together young people from the municipality of Klokot- branches. Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc and from surrounding municipalities.

This publication was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Democratic and Effective Municipalities Initiative Program in Kosovo. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily refl ect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.