Delhaize urged to boost share of Serbian products

Delhaize urged to boost share of Serbian products

Expressing satisfaction that the impressive facility has been opened, the prime minister urged the Delhaize Group to boost the share of Serbian products marketed in its outlets from the current 70 percent to 75-80 percent.

"This day is important not only for Delhaize, but for Serbia as well," Vučić said, thanking the company for paying its liabilities to the state regularly.

The prime minister said that he is also pleased that Delhaize Group, which currently has an 11,000-strong workforce, will invest even more in Serbia in the coming years and hire 400 more people by the end of this year, and a total of 750 by 2020.

Thanking everyone for their engagement in the project, Vučić said that he is confident that hard work and respect of rules can produce the best results.

"I believe in Delhaize's good future and I am confident that Serbia has a good future," the prime minister concluded.

Previously, Delhaize Group CEO Frans Muller thanked Prime Minister Vučić and the Serbian government for the great support for the opening of the distribution centre, noting that Serbia is a very significant market for the company.

I believe in the possibilities that Serbia is offering - we are proud to be in Serbia, and honored to be a Serbian company, Muller said.

The EUR 50 million investment into the Stara Pazova distribution center is one of the largest in Serbia, Delhaize Serbia CEO John Kyritsis said.

Our goal, and what we want, is to develop in Serbia and together with Serbia, Kyritsis said.

The ceremonial opening of the distribution center was also attended by Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajić.

The Delhaize distribution center is the most modern and largest distribution center in the country. The highest technological standards were implemented during its construction, with Serbian companies performing most of the works.

The Delhaize Serbia retail chain plans to open 10 to 20 new facilities in Serbia and invest around EUR 45 million, which will match its investment total from 2013.

Delhaize Serbia is a member of the Belgium-based international retail chain Delhaize Group, which operates in Europe, America and Asia.