Workshops completed within the Western Balkans Eco-Industrial parks initiative — Marera industrial park confirms its development path and enters a new phase of implementation
Marera industrial park, located on the site of the former “Pobeda” factory in Petrovaradin, has completed a key phase within the regional project Eco-Industrial Parks in the Western Balkans, implemented by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with the European Union and the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). The project aims to improve the efficiency, environmental responsibility, and investment appeal of regional companies, with the ultimate goal of developing sustainable and competitive industrial zones aligned with modern european standards. The EIP methodology encourages the creation of an industrial ecosystem in which companies share resources, infrastructure and knowledge, generating collective value for all participants.
From contract signing to concrete implementation
The process officially began on 23 October 2025, when Marera industrial park joined the Western Balkans Eco-Industrial parks initiative through the signing of an agreement with IFC.
The next phase included the development of a baseline assessment, which served as the foundation for designing a five-day workshop program held from 16 to 20 March 2026. During these sessions, the park’s management, IFC’s international expert team, and tenant representatives jointly analyzed the park’s development plan, identifying additional opportunities to enhance industrial synergy and strengthen the park’s position as an attractive investment destination.
A focus on resources, symbiosis and synergy
The five days of intensive work resulted in the establishment of an operational framework based on the EIP methodology. Particular emphasis was placed on an inclusive approach: tenants played an active role by contributing solutions that directly addressed their business needs.
“We are fully aware of the great potential of Marera industrial park in terms of available resources, strategic location, and the economic and social impact our park has on the local community. The IFC workshop further validated all the efforts we have invested since the industrial park was first established, as well as the direction we set from the very beginning. Thanks to a structured process with international experts, we were able to articulate our management practices more clearly, gain a deeper understanding of the resources we have at our disposal, and define essential pathways for further optimization in the interest of sustainability. We are pleased that the workshop confirms we are on the right track — in increasing the value of the park itself, strengthening relations with all companies operating here, positively contributing to the local economy, and attracting the right investors”, said Mile Štrbac, director of the industrial portfolio at Marera.
Operating within the Free zone as an additional advantage for companies
Marera industrial park is part of the Novi Sad Free Zone system, which provides tenants with significant tax benefits: exemption from VAT and customs duties on the import of raw materials, components, and equipment intended for export production — directly strengthening their competitiveness in international markets. The workshop also included participation from a representative of the Novi Sad Free Zone, whose insights further enriched the discussion on the park’s development potential in a broader economic context.
“It was particularly important to address topics such as efficient resource management, industrial symbiosis, and opportunities for improving cooperation among companies operating within the Novi Sad Free Zone. Through the workshop’s interactive approach and exchange of experiences, I had the opportunity to identify additional possibilities for enhancing existing practices. I believe that the development of Marera Industrial Park as an Eco-Industrial Park is of special significance for the future development of the Novi Sad Free Zone — in strengthening its competitiveness and aligning with contemporary economic practices”, said Marijana Šaula, representative of the Novi Sad Free Zone.
Responsible development as a lasting commitment
With more than 110,000 m² of built facilities, 17 hectares of land designated for future expansion, and a strategic location near the center of Novi Sad, Marera industrial park continues to evolve as a sustainable and investment-attractive zone that combines the industrial heritage of Petrovaradin with the innovations of the future. By joining the Eco-Industrial parks project, the park once again reaffirms its commitment to responsible development — development that gives equal consideration to business profitability, the local community, and long-term sustainability.
