MUNICIPALITY OF BOGOVINJE Mayor: Mr. Albon Xhemaili Mr. Albon Xhemaili was born on November 16, 1971, in Bogovinje. He finished primary education in his native place, and secondary education in the Secondary Municipal Medical School “Nikola Shtejn” in Tetovo. He acquired higher education at the Faculty of Medicine – Department of Pharmacy within the University in Tirana, Republic of Albania. Currently Mr. Xhemaili attends postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Skopje – Department of Medical Management and Pharmacoeconomics within the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje. Mr. Albon Xhemaili started his carrier with a professional engagement as a pharmacist in his native place. In 2005 he was an active member of the Association of Pharmacists of the Republic of North Macedonia and the working groups. In 2006 he was employed in the Ministry of Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, where he still holds some responsibilities and activities. In the same year he performed the functions of Advisor and Inspector in the Pharmacy Sector within the Ministry of Health of the Republic of North Macedonia. From 2006 to 2008 he held the position of President of the Executive Board of the Health Insurance Fund of the Republic of North Macedonia. Mr. Albon Xhemaili as a staff member of the former Minister of Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Dr. Arben Taravari, has a huge contribution to the overall development of the health system in the Republic of North Macedonia. His contribution is evident in the academic field as well. He has published several works and scientific translations. Mr. Albon Xhemaili is a family man and a father of four children. The Municipality of Bogovinje is one of the youngest municipalities in the Republic of North Macedonia. It has been functioning within its current borders since 2006, when the former Municipalities of Bogovinje and Kamenjane were merged. It covers the northwest part of the Republic, the left side of the river Vardar, the Polog valley, where the main road – the highway Skopje – Tetovo – Gostivar runs. Parallel to the highway is also the regional road that connects the municipality with the inhabited settlements in Shar Mountain. The municipality extends over an area of 143.44 km2, at an altitude from 460 to 1.150 meters. It shares borders with the Municipality of Tetovo, the Municipality of Vrapchishte, and a small part of the border with the Republic of Kosovo. The municipality has a total population of 30.503 residents, of which Albanians - 95.2%, Turks – 4.1%, and Macedonians – 0.1%. Its residents are settled in 6 settlements in the new part of the Municipality of Bogovinje and 10 settlements in the area of Kamenjane, as follows: Bogovinje, Pirok, Rakovec, Selce, Zherovjane, Kamenjane, Jelovjane, Gorno and Dolno Palchishte, Gorno Sedlarce, Sinichan, Urvich, Novak and Chiflik, Kalnik and Novo Selo. The Municipality of Bogovinje has 8 primary and 6 regional schools, three playgrounds and one motel. The construction of a House of Culture and the adaptation of a kindergarten are also in progress. According to the data of the State Statistical Office, on December 31, 2011, a total of 377 active business entities were registered in the Municipality of Bogovinje (according to the registration from 19.12.2018, in the system of taxes and fees there are 679 registered business entities). Most of the active business entities are engaged in the following sectors: wholesale and retail, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, 143 entities, processing industry, 58 entities and construction, 47 entities. The other sectors of activities of the registered active business entities in the Municipality of Bogovinje include: agriculture, forestry and fishing; water supply, wastewater disposal, waste management, environmental remediation; transport and storage; accommodation facilities and food service activities; professional, scientific and technical activities; education; health and social protection activities; art, entertainment and recreation; and other service activities. The Municipality of Bogovinje has a total available area of agricultural land of 3.084 ha, with a very high utilization of 92.3% (2.859 ha), whereby 1.663,3 ha i.e. 53.9% of the total used land have constant water sources for irrigation. Most of the used agricultural land, 89.5%, belongs to the category of ploughland, gardens and home gardens, while 9.8% are covered by meadows and pastures, and an inconsiderable area is used for orchards and nurseries. Having at its disposal the existing rich potential at the present time, the lo- cal self-government decided to upgrade and create the future on its foundations. Starting from this aspect, the municipal management paved the way with the basic directions that will lead to economic, social and ecological development and prosperity. In that regard, it remains an imperative to preserve the clean ecological environment, with naturally environmentally regulated water resources and irrigation systems, en- riched with sports and recreation centers and landscaped forest areas, intertwined and interconnected with a network of paved roads, which will allow the creation of a new image of the present time. In the long-term development strategy of the Municipality, the emphasis is certainly on local economic development, which will enable protection of natural and environmental resources and complete revival of the municipal region by providing conditions for normal and harmo- nious urban living of the population, with a thorough education and health system, as well as conditions for a more comprehen- sive economic transformation, harmonized with the global strategy of the Polog region. Special attention is paid to the development of rural, ecological and alternative tour- ism, agriculture and stockbreeding, as well as basic fundamental postulates that only require further shaping and modernization, content enrichment, traffic and pedes- trian connection and aesthetic arrangement. It actually presupposes the creation of road communication and connection, regulation of the sewerage network, cleaning and regulation of the riverbeds and watercourses and their protection against ero- sion, as well as landscaping of the forest areas and the surroundings of the lakes. The acceleration of the overall economic growth and development of the Municipality of Bogovinje, in addition to the indicated areas, is also perceived in the possibility to build a hy- dropower plant, which will increase the number of employees and the financial security of the municipality. This is complemented by the permanently increasing support for the devel- opment of the private sector, which will transform the overall quality of life. Such support is aimed at the creation of new functional urban plans, reduction of construction land fees and overall improvement and maintenance of the infrastructure related to the economic activities. Simply put, our vision is to create an ecologically clean, touristically developed, and eco- nomically strong urban municipality with a high level of education and culture, and our mis- sion is to create continuous economic development with a high standard and quality of life. The Football Club DRITA from Bogovinje was formed by a group of sportsmen in 1994. Since its establishment to pre- sent day, the club has achieved a number of significant suc- cesses. The club experienced its greatest success in the First Macedonian Football League in the season 2012-2013, after the promotion from the Second Macedonian Football League. Currently, Football Club DRITA competes in the Second Macedonian Football League. Str. 101 n.n. [email protected] 1220 Bogovinje Phone: +389 44 371-500 [email protected] Republic of North Macedonia www.komunabogovine.gov.mk.