Sabac to get first greenfield eco-industrial park in Western Balkans

The City of Sabac, the European Union (EU) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have signed an agreement to build the first greenfield eco-industrial park in the Western Balkans, to be located in Sabac. As announced after the signing of this agreement, this represents an important step in our region’s transition to a more sustainable way of doing business, in line with EU environmental standards.

Eco-industrial parks are spaces where different companies come together to use energy, water and other resources more efficiently, and reduce their environmental impact. The park in Sabac will be an example of how industries can reduce harmful gas emissions, make better use of resources, and create new jobs. This project is just the first step, with four more parks planned in the region, which will help make the Western Balkans more attractive to investors looking to invest in environmentally sustainable projects.

– Hosting the first eco-industrial park in Serbia is a proud moment for our city. This initiative strengthens our local economy, sets the standard for sustainable growth, and is a key step towards building an environmentally sustainable future for our citizens – says Aleksandar Pajic, Mayor of Sabac.

This agreement represents a milestone in supporting the green transition of the Western Balkans, said Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia.

– By launching the Eco-Industrial Parks initiative, we are fostering innovation, better responding to environmental challenges, and advancing the circular economy, which are essential steps towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 – she said.

As added in the press release of the city of Sabac, this collaboration demonstrates the region’s potential to attract green investment and become part of European supply chains. The Eco-Industrial Parks Initiative, which IFC is implementing in partnership with the EU, is setting new standards in industrial sustainability and opening up opportunities for companies to relocate production closer to the markets they operate in (nearshoring).

– This project is part of our global strategy and demonstrates our commitment to sustainable industrial development in the region. Together with the EU and local authorities, we are creating a scalable model that opens up opportunities for long-term investment, while addressing key environmental challenges – says Nicolas Marchier, IFC’s regional manager for the Western Balkans.

In line with policies such as the European Green Deal, the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and the Western Balkans Economic and Investment Plan 2021-2027, the project aims to support industrial decarbonization and the creation of sustainable and competitive industrial zones. The European Commission, through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), plays a key role in supporting such projects across the region.

International Finance Corporation

Aleksandar Pajić

Nicolas Marchier

Plamena Halacheva

greenfield eco industrial park in Šabac

decarbonization