The Kolubara Lignite Basin in the Republic of Serbia is the most important source of this type of fossil energy. Available lignite reserves enable the production of electricity, so the priority, in this region, is its exploitation. This is the reason why all other characteristics of this region have undergone major changes. Since the lignite exploitation started, the land use and river courses have changed in the region, local communities have been moved out, the settlements, infrastructure and human activity have been altered. The whole landscape acquired a completely different image. The social aspect is a sensitive and delicate feature, but the regulation of the region is also significant. Local population in this region has faced a set of social, cultural and economic problems.

The topic of this paper is contemporary tendencies and business trends in Slovenia, a country which left behind the period of crisis and by transforming its outdated and obsolete industry has overcome the period of transition. The paper deals with economy, industrial and economic solutions in Slovenia thanks to which this country has recovered from post-socialistic crisis and thus ranked among European and world's competitive countries. The examples of Maribor and Celje illustrate the fact that though medium sized centres, they can achieve good results by clever investment and planning. Serbia, which is still in the period of crisis, could be governed by the example of Slovenia on its path of development. This paper provides just some of the examples that Serbia could resort to. The issues which Serbia has been facing for a certain period of time could be overcome by adequate investment, building up of the infrastructure, economy transformation and industry modernization.

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