(ANSA) - BELGRADE, NOV. 7 - A large industrial laundry facility was inaugurated today in Stara Pazova, northwest Belgrade, by the Italian group 'Armonia Holding' through a 6mn investment, thus employing 200 people.

The opening ceremony was attended by Serbian Minister of Economy Goran Knezevic, who underlined that bilateral relations between Serbia and Italy are excellent both in the economic and political fields.

''Italy is one of our biggest partners, and trade amounted to $ 3.7bn last year'', the minister added, adding that Italian investments in Serbia exceeded 2bn euros, with the presence of around 600 companies employing more than 20,000 people.

''I am convinced that in the future our collaboration will be further strengthened,'' said Knezevic. The opening ceremony of the industrial laundry, the largest in the Balkans, was attended by Matthias Claivaz, Head of Economic, Trade and Scientific Cooperation Unit, Embassy of Italy in Belgrade, and Roberto Olivi, chairman of the 'Armonia Holding' group.