Belgrade on the right course |
"Belgrade is already undergoing radical change and is creating new jobs and new conditions for their further creation. I believe that Belgrade's economy will have the strength to put the city on par with Europe's most developed cities."
By Jelena Gligorić |
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Nenad Bogdanović is the first post World War II mayor of Belgrade to be elected (in 2004) by direct vote. Before becoming mayor, he held the city's chief executive position for a four-year term. He entered politics in 1992, and thanks to his great energy, perseverance but also remarkable experience in economy and management, he advanced confidently and with great strides up the city administration ladder. During his mandate as mayor, Belgrade has seen marked growth and increasing prosperity. Our opening question: What does it mean to be mayor of Belgrade today?
- Being the mayor of the capital city and the biggest city in Serbia is certainly a great honour, but above all it implies many obligations and great responsibility.
When I was chief executive officer for the city in my previous mandate, to a certain degree I shared responsibility with other city executives. |
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Now, as mayor, as envisaged in the City Statute and the Law on Local Self-Government, I make many important decisions myself. The mayor, as the top man in the hierarchy, is responsible for the work of the entire city administration, something that is an additional burden.
It is important for the mayor to enjoy a majority in the City Assembly so as to be in a position to implement his programme and see through planned projects. Up until now, the situation in the City Assembly, apart from the occasional unnecessary bickering, has for the most part been stable, as is reflected in the work of the city administration, which operates harmoniously. Personally, I have no problems with the party affiliations of my associates. What is important is that each one of them does their work diligently, professionally and in a responsible manner. |
With the changes in legislation, and with a shift in relations with the central government, local self-government is gaining in importance. Legislation pertaining to the capital city is expected as well. What does this, in concrete terms, mean for Belgrade and for you as mayor? |
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- In order for Belgrade to function properly as any other modern city in the world, a Law on the Capital City that would clearly define competencies and rules of self-government is needed. I favour introducing a presidential/mayoral system, as is the practice across the world. This implies personalised responsibility.
The Bill on the Capital City, unfortunately, has been on hold pending a decision on decentralisation in Serbia. My wish is that other cities and municipalities in Serbia, in addition to Serbia, be given the status they currently don't enjoy, and for local authorities to have a greater say in areas such as economic development, employment policy and other matters.
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However, I am a great pessimist as regards passing this legislation. By clearly delineating competencies, it was designed to resolve the biggest problems emerging in relations between the municipality, the city and the central government. At this time, the state is in charge of the municipalities, but no one is in charge of the city. Under the current legislation, local self-governments are seen as quite unimportant, and this is the main reason why I think it will be hard to pass the Bill on the Capital City. Because of their ambiguities, we need to amend the constitutional provisions pertaining to local self-government as soon as possible. While working on the draft of the new Constitution, the most difficult aspect was to reach a compromise on Serbia's territorial organisation due to an insistence that political parties play the key role in this. For this reason, I think that considerable political determination will be needed to pass the Bill on the Capital City. |
In 2006, Belgrade received some significant titles as a result of accomplishments in preceding years. What does this mean as regards the future? |
- The esteemed Financial Times declared Belgrade the "City of the Future of Southeast Europe". This recognition has re-affirmed our conviction that we are on the right course because Belgrade has found itself in the company of London, Paris, Brno and Baku, cities that either have a long business tradition or are enjoying dramatic development.
This recognition was an additional boost to try to make the best use of Belgrade's strong points: an advantageous geographical position, a skilled labour force, the most competitive taxation regime in Central and Eastern Europe, simplified procedures for starting businesses, and, to attract as many foreign investors to the city to effect, as soon as possible, the so-called closed circle - namely, for infrastructure construction to be conducive to construction of business facilities, new jobs creation and the acquisition of funds for further investment. |
| Belgrade has already begun to change radically and create new jobs and fresh conditions for their development: the construction industry is in full swing and more than 1,000 construction firms are operational today. We have launched food manufacture and now we are in need of a good processing industry. Areas of activity traditionally linked to a big city have been launched as well: banking, telecommunications, Internet, software, catering and accommodations, trade, tourism… |
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Small-and medium-size companies carry out these activities, but many such firms with a few workers means employment for many. And if one firm goes bankrupt, this does not cause shock to the economy.
I believe that Belgrade's economy is gaining momentum and that it will develop the strength needed to catapult the capital city to the very top of developed European cities. |
What will be the city administration's priorities in 2007? |
The city will continue investing in new infrastructure and the revitalisation of existing infrastructure, thus creating favourable conditions for potential investors and the generation of new jobs. But, at the same time, we will work towards advancing the level of municipal and communication standards and humanising city life.
Given that the state will restore our competencies in 2007 over local healthcare centres, and four clinical and hospital centres, upgrading these institutions and endowing them with new equipment will be a major priority in order to harmonise them with the needs of the capital city. In addition to this, the construction of a local healthcare center will finally begin in Mirijevo. |
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As regards transportation facilities, we expect work to begin on the tramway reconstruction project in Karađorđeva St., on the tramway bridge and on the tracks in Požeška St. Also, construction of a loop by the race course is due to start, as the first stage in building a new bridge across the lower end of Ada Ciganlija. In the New Belgrade side of the city, construction of four lanes will start in Jurija Gagarina St., where a loop will also be built. Construction of the bridge is due to begin in 2008. |
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Work on the financial aspects and preparations for tenders to purchase new trolleybuses and 100 new buses, and the reconstruction of some 60 trams, is currently underway.
As regards major municipal facilities, construction of the drinking water purification plant installation Makiš II is scheduled to begin next summer. In addition to this, building and reconstructing schools and preschool institutions, as well as institutions of culture and social care, are also on the agenda. We will also continue to pursue an active social policy so as to assist as many people as we can in need of such help. |
Is there something in your work that you are personally proud of? |
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Not only I, but Belgraders too, can feel proud that Belgrade has succeeded in making up for lost time, restoring its former reputation, launching speedy development and resolutely moving towards European integration in such a short period of time.
We are especially proud of the changes effected in the economic structure, increased foreign and domestic investment, rising employment, a tangible increase in average wages and a more humane social policy. And, of course, during these six years there was not a single scandal connected with the city government.
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Those of us who live in Belgrade have noticed the rapid changes in the city's appearance, but so have foreign and domestic visitors: many new business and residential facilities have emerged, many facades have been renovated and those whose appearance merits attention are now lighted. More than 1,000 streets have been completely overhauled, the transportation system motor pool is the newest in the region; parks, forests and other green oases have been rearranged along with the Belgrade Fortress, Ada Ciganlija, and so on…
As the host of renowned international economic, scientific, cultural and sports events, more and more positive vibrations are coming from Belgrade. |
How would you describe the Belgrade of your dreams? How do you see ten or twenty years from now? |
I would like Belgrade to become, as fast as possible, an orderly city in terms of city planning, municipal utilities and city transportation; an economically prosperous city with a healthy environment whose residents lead a dignified life, a city open to the world, sending out a positive image of itself, and a city that business people and tourists visit often and gladly, where they do their business and feel fine. |
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Successful manager
Nenad Bogdanović was born on May 12, 1954. He graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade, where he also took his master's degree.
For twenty years he worked in the area of telecommunications, on managerial, research and development projects, first in the Pupin Institute and then in other telecommunications-related firms. In 1989, he was appointed joint investment director of GTE Telecommunications and the EI Pupin company. Two years later, he became commercial director and in 1996 worked as general manager of the Alcatel Pupin Yugoslavia mixed enterprise. | | |
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