One of the oldest retail markets in Belgrade - the Zeleni venac Market - was officially re-opened for business on February 16 after an 18-month major reconstruction project.
The renovation project, which was coordinated by JKP Gradske Pijace - the company managing and developing the 32 retail markets of Belgrade - kicked off in July 2005.
JKP director Gordana Matijasevic said the project aimed to maintain and protect the history and traditional design of the buildings, while building a safe and modern market facility, "blending beautifully the old with the new".
Maria Cavit, secretary general of the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM), attended the market opening.
She said a wholesale market must now be built to support the Belgrade retail markets to improve the effectiveness in the food distribution chain. "If a good modern retail market scheme is to be preserved in Serbia, the way forward would be to anticipate the logistical solution a wholesale market represents, preventing retail markets from being submerged by supermarkets and low quality foods,” she added.
Cavit also addressed the Serbian Markets Association (UPS) while in Belgrade, where discussions focussed on increasing WUWM member market profiles and activities in the east and central European region.
