Mežiška dolina valley, 23 March 2022 - Minister for development and European Cohesion Policy Zvone Černač met with the mayors of municipalities Vuzenica, Mežica and Prevalje and business owners in the Mežiška dolina valley. As part of his working visit, the Minister visited several EU-funded projects that have made an important contribution to the development of the region.
Minister Zvone Černač started his visit to the Mežiška dolina valley in Municipality Vuzenica where he met with the mayor Franjo Golob. They visited some of the municipality’s major projects, such as the extension and reconstruction of the water supply system, reconstruction of the state road Vuzenica-Vuhred and renovation of the cultural centre in Vuzenica. With the new programming period 2021-2027 approaching fast, the Minister and the mayor discussed future funding opportunities.
The Minister also met with business owners in the region as part of the working visit to the valley. He stopped at the Ravne na Koroškem-based company LKR, d.o.o. to see the production of technologically demanding castings. The Minister also visited Municipality Mežica, where he stopped at the company Ferolin Mežica in the company of mayor Dušan Krebel. This initially small family-owned business grew into an important employer in the region. The owners of the company outlined the challenges and the needs they face in doing business. The Minister said that ''sole proprietors and micro family businesses can grow into stable, successful businesses with a long-standing tradition if they have the knowledge, the courage, the determination and the drive. Your company is a perfect example of how far a small business can come. With the help of EU funding, we are committed to maintaining favourable conditions for economic development.'' The Minister also visited the Prevalje-based company Urna d.o.o. which is specialized in the production of pressure, extension and torsion springs and other products made from wire and spring ribbon. The company representatives guided the Minister through the new production halls and outlined plans for the future. According to the minister, small and medium-sized businesses form the backbone of Slovenian economy. To this end, the country must ensure that the system that supports their continuous development and growth is strengthened. The minister highlighted during the visit: ''Entrepreneurs and businesses drive our development. EU funding provides numerous funding opportunities and ensures that appropriate business infrastructure is in place. This will be the goal of EU Cohesion Policy in the coming financial perspective as well.''
The Minister concluded the visit to the Mežiška dolina valley in Prevalje where he attended the inauguration of the Prevalje wastewater treatment plant in the company of mayor Matic Tasić. In the programming period 2014-2020, the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy earmarked a total of EUR 171 million in EU funding for 68 wastewater projects. The projects that aim to ensure better wastewater treatment and collection were carried out across the whole of Slovenia, which is a clear testament to our goal of leaving no one behind and no part of Slovenia unnoticed.
