KLOKOT-VRBOVACKLLOKOT-VËRBOC

MUNICIPALITYOF KLOKOT-VRBOVAC

KLLOKOT-VËRBOC

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The municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is one of the newly established municipalities in Kosovo, following the

decentralization process. Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc has a bright future with a promising attractive location within the territory of Kosovo. This is a useful advantage that will bring future benefi ts, but it is also faces a path fi lled with potential obstacles and challenges. It is an honor and great opportunity for me as a leader, and my staff, to follow the best practices to administer effectively to promote this lovely place surrounded by large cities of Kosovo and to offer great potential for its citizens and neighboring citizens.

Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc has three comparative advantages: natural resources, mineral water springs and land suitable for growing all kinds of crops. Those three advantages will be the backbone of the future direction of development of this municipality, toward which our government will direct its energy. Mineral resources with curative effect and thermal sources, the surrounding mountains and the relatively mild climate makes Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc the potential to become a tourist region with fi nancial benefi ts in Kosovo. Having this in mind, we, as a municipal government, are obliged to pledge a high commitment to create a better environment for economic development and job creation with a focus on the following areas:

Investment in the factories of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc mineral waters, which have proven to be profi table and offer opportunities for local employment;

Suitable taxes on start-ups and businesses that employ large number of employees;

Effective administration; Good civil services; Appropriate economic development strategy; Building a nationwide marketing approach for rural tourism

and thermal bathing; and General strategy for capitalizing on its young population.

Lately, through the help of our donors we are focused on identifying locations for investment opportunities that are available to potential investors through simpler administrative procedures, supportive communication with national government institutions, and connections with the local suppliers. Our commitment to local economic development is unwavering; it is my wish and desire to see investment growth and job creation.

Through working partnerships and progressive changes, all of our above goals can be achieved and Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc can become the best municipality of all - a municipality, where all citizens can proudly say we have come to a blissful place where hospitality, recreation and health come naturally!

Mr. Saša MIRKOVIĆMayor of Municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc

Foreword by Mayor

5Country Data

Kosovo South East Europe, the heart of the Balkans, time zone GMT+1.

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

Eliminated the depositing of founding capital for limited liability companies

Increased investor protection

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The municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is located in the south-eastern part of Kosovo, with an area of 23.4 km2.

Its geographic position is convenient and is accessible to all other cities and the region surrounding Kosovo.

The municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is surrounded by the municipalities of Gjilan/Gnjilane, Ferizaj/Uroševac, Parteš/Partesh and Viti/Vitina as its mother municipality.

The territory of the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is characterized with a plain landscape and it is known for agricultural activities and archeological sites.

According to the latest census (2011), the total number of the population in the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is 2,551 citizens. The municipality is made up diverse ethnic communities.

The municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is a young municipality with a progressive administration ready to signifi cantly push forward projects for economic development and improve

services to its citizens. Measuring the achievements of the current running administration, we have distinguishing capacities of a young and promising population through:

Advancing health care;

Professional educational facilities;

Tolerant cooperation among communities (Albanian, Kosovo-Serb, Roma etc.);

Provision of basic infrastructure in some villages;

Very good hospitality of the local population;

Modernized road infrastructure;

Improved maintenance and waste disposal;

Street lighting;

Implementation of water projects on rivers with fi shing resources;

Good locations for recreation activities;

Traditional food and local specialties;

Strategic approach for harvesting forest fruits and various herbal teas;

Youth interested in the development of rural tourism; and

Other archaeological sites and buildings.

Municipal Profi le

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Local Governance in the Municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is comprised of two bodies: the Municipal

Assembly (legislative body) - the highest institution of local government, which consists of a plenum and permanent committees; and the municipality, as an executive body, consisting of the Mayor’s offi ce and Municipal Directors and staff.

The Mayor is the highest executive of the municipality and is elected directly by popular vote for a four-year term - which means that local elections are organized every four years according to the legislative framework.

The current mayor of the Municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is Mr. Saša MIRKOVIĆ.

The Municipal Assembly is comprised of fi fteen members, ten of them are of from the Kosovo Serbian community and fi ve of the members are Albanian.

One of the important units operating in the municipality is the Directorate for Agriculture. This offi ce is staffed with a trained and proactive team that provides full support to agriculture and businesses, farmers in the municipality, starting from business registration services up to full-scale investor support.

In addition, the municipality has established an Agricultural Association of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc, an independent institution responsible for the promotion, support and development of the agricultural industry. Also, civil society organizations are numerous and active, and effectively contribute to this small municipality in various fi elds.

Municipal Administration

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Historically, the territory of the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc has been populated since the early signs of

human kind. The municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc has been admired since ancient times. Its history and value is told through myths and legends. According to one of them, Roman legionaries discovered the healing qualities of the thermal-mineral waters in the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc by chance. As they were passing through the area, they came across a white horse fatigued from the war, writhing on muddy waters of a swamp. A while later, on their way back through the location, these soldiers saw the same horse again, now fully recovered and in very good condition.

Its nature provides opportunities mainly for agriculture, but there is potential for mineral water springs, and many other activities contributing in to this area are necessary. Because of natural mineral water resources, the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc has a very big competitive advantage. Klokot is rich in thermal mineral water sources from which the average temperature of 38 C. This water has benefi cial effects on patients suffering from rheumatism, sciatica, nervous system diseases, skin diseases, diarrheal diseases, cardiovascular diseases, post-traumatic conditions, so that the primary area on which to focus is the development of spa tourism.

The municipality has begun existing bottling mineral water and workshops “AS process” that produces processing equipment, such as a UV lamps to check the bacterial quality of water, shrink wrapping foil etc. “AS Process” currently employs fi ve qualifi ed workers.

In addition to the sectors of agriculture and industrial production, in the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc has several important tourist companies which are and can be the main driving force behind economic growth and development. In the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc there has been growing successfully two economic entities operating in the sphere of tourism, “Nëna-Naile” and “Banja e Kllokotit”. In addition, there is a mini Spa, which is an individual business enterprise, which indicates the potential for development of tourism in this area. For now, tourism potential is largely untapped, and there are opportunities to develop this in the future.

Another economic activity that has the potential and thereby is present on the territory of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc is wood processing and furniture making, in small scale production, and serial production. Due to the presence of important natural resource (wood) around the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc, 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

11Natural Resources, Tourism, and Competitive Advantages

Agriculture is a primary economic branch in our municipality which, in the future, will be strengthened even more and will play an important role in economic development. The placement under 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.

Agro-tourism can be provided by farmers to generate additional income. Tourists can experience farm life updates and enjoy a various range of original local products and specialties.

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Based on the draft Strategy for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises in the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/

Kllokot-Vërboc, the following sectors have been identifi ed as priorities for investment attraction:

Agricultural production

Production and bottling of mineral water

Spa tourism

Wood processing

Investment opportunities

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In the Municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc, there are a considerable number of churches and mosques throughout

the various settlements of the municipality. In the municipality of

Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc there are four orthodox churches and one mosque.

Saint Petar i Pavle Church Saint Teodor Church in Mogilla

Municipal Cultural Heritage

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There are good opportunities to develop a variety of cultural and sporting activities through youth organizations. There

are two football teams, as well as a cultural and artistic society that follows the tradition of the municipality’s culture and folklore. Education is at a satisfactory level. There are three main schools: one in Albanian and Middle Schools in Serbian with several branches.

On the occasion of celebrating the rural St. Perth and St. Paul on the 12th of July the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc organizes a masquerade “baba i deda”. During this ceremony youth manifests with traditional music in the courtyard of the elementary school “Sveti Sava”. This activity happens every year and traditionally brings together young people from the municipality of Klokot-Vrbovac/Kllokot-Vërboc and from surrounding municipalities.

Quality of Life

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.