In order to establish cooperation with local businesses and authorities within the project Snaga lokalnog, we visited Ljekobilje – Ljbilje d.o.o. Ljubinje. Snaga lokalnog seeks to connect local activists with the donor community, authorities, other organizations, experts, and to launch local initiatives that will contribute to the establishment of mutual cooperation of activists, NGOs, business and municipal authorities. For that purpose, we talked with Mihajlo Vujović, director of Ljekobilje-Ljbilje d.o.o. Ljubinje and Vitomir Vojčić, Deputy Mayor of Ljubinje.
Author: Đorđe Krajišnik
Unique rounded cycle
Under the protected brand “Ljekobilje”, the company “Ljbilje d.o.o. Ljubinje”, as the director Mihajlo Vujović told us, produces, buys and processes medicinal, aromatic and spicy herbs. Through many years of investment, primarily in knowledge and profession, as he points out, they have managed to complete the unique cycle from the production of planting material, cultivation with over 100 hectares of own and subcontracted plantations, purchase of wild medicinal plants and sophisticated processing leading to certified organic production of over 250 high quality products.
- The company’s headquarters are located in Ljubinje, a small Herzegovinian town known for hard working people. There is a central production plant within plantation production, distillation, extraction is performed, as well as a modernly equipped laboratory for the production of cosmetic products. In addition to Ljubinje, our production is also carried out in Bileća, where we have a plant for processing and packaging of filter and classic teas, as well as fragrant and decorative bags and pillows. In response to the growing interest in our products in Serbia, in September 2020, we opened our representative office in Serbia. The goal of our company “Ljekobilje d.o.o.” with its headquarters in Belgrade is to bring our products closer to interested customers throughout Serbia through an extensive sales network, explained Mihajlo Vujović, director of Ljekobilje-Ljbilje d.o.o. Ljubinje.
According to him, they are trying to expand their market placement every year.
- We have an OKA certificate of organic production. We are in the phase of obtaining the ISO22716/GMP certificate, which is a certificate that in a way opens the door to all EU countries. It is a certificate for cosmetic products. Regarding the production of teas, we have the ISO 22 000:2018 certificate. We will have those certificates by the end of August. Right now, we are in the phase of their implementation. After that, we will be able to export to the EU market. We still export, in small quantities, to Germany, Sweden and Canada. But with this we want more and more dominance. If we open that space, we can increase the number of employees, but also increase the production itself. In addition to the above, we have some 80-90 hectares of subcontractors who work for us from whom we buy medicinal herbs. There is another 30 percent of production that people gather in the hills. Those are wild natural herbs. We buy it and make a whole range of products out of it. There is still a lot to be done. Also, we have a very well-developed network in the region. In the case we run out of raw materials we have a backup way to get it, since we have a complete production process. All products are made very precisely, in compliance with all necessary regulations. Everything is made according to an exactly strict recipe, which gives the best effect. Each of these products has a certificate or a permit behind it, which is very important, Vujović points out.
Director of Ljekobilje-Ljbilje d.o.o. Ljubinje says that this company is involved in many local humanitarian and donor projects, and that they help by allocating a certain part of funds for associations for children with disabilities who work in this part of Herzegovina. He believes that in addition to the wealth that this area has in medicinal plants, it is important that business facilities in this region buy domestic products and continue to place them on the market.
- It is important that we have an awareness of domestic product consumption. It’s ours. There is no better tea than domestic tea. It is a mixture of the healthiest that Herzegovina can offer. We have various herbal drops, creams, teas and herbs for inhalation. We also have aseptics. They can not only disinfect the hands but can also disinfect the space. So, there is a wide range of what we produce and what can be produced. We want to work honestly and get paid fairly for it. There is no need for leaving our country and working somewhere else, having in mind all the wealth we have here. Also, there is no need to import things that we can produce just as well, if not better, from foreign manufacturers, emphasizes the director of Ljekobilje-Ljbilje d.o.o. Ljubinje Mihajlo Vujović.
According to Vitomir Vojčić, Deputy Mayor of Ljubinje, the Municipality of Ljubinje is an administrative unit with a long history. The Municipality works a lot on local development, especially in the field of small businesses and tourism. Through the projects it implements, it seeks to strengthen existing businesses as well as to contribute to the development of new businesses through investments. A very important segment, adds Vojčić, is tourism, which in the coming period they want to develop.
People living here are healthy
Any initiative that starts something in Ljubinje is welcome. As a Municipality, we are open, especially for economic activities. That is the key to everything. Unfortunately, we do not have a budget possibility. Depopulation is very pronounced in our Municipality. These are the problems that are difficult to deal with. However, we try to use the potentials we have in the best way. All the strategies we have worked on are aimed at paying attention and development to the natural potential we have. We do not dream of large industrial zones, but you will see that every plot of Ljubinsko polje has been cultivated. This place has no uncultivated part of the land. It is an indicator that people from this area live from that land, from agriculture. We are thinking about branding this Municipality as a medicinal plants municipality, because it is the resource we have the most. So, we strive to be a service to all producers as a Municipality, in order to establish cooperation everywhere. The promotion of Ljubilje is the promotion of Ljubinje. Every success story from Ljubinje is also a success story of this Municipality. We are open for cooperation, for help. Ljbilje is one of the socially responsible companies. They are the owners of the RS Pride Card. They help families with children by giving discounts on their products and services. It is up to us to animate and help those families. Because we can’t do miracles, but we can do small things and motivate people to stay in this area. We are proud to present Ljbilje as a company to guests who visit our Municipality, says the Deputy Mayor of Ljubinje.
Vojčić says that this area of Herzegovina has a very favorable geographical position, and also favorable wind roses.
- We have the Mediterranean climate. People are healthy here. I emphasize, we don’t have an industry, but we have what we have. And we are ready to continue working to make our voices stronger and loud. We have a plan, and we will try to realize it, to make one place, one store where people who come or pass through Ljubinje will be able to buy authentic products made in this area, says Vitomir Vojčić, Deputy Mayor of Ljubinje.
