CONCRETE PROJECTS TO BENEFIT PEOPLE OF FOČA AND SRPSKA

FOČA, JULY 21 /SRNA/ – The Minister of Finance and Treasury in the Council of Ministers Srđan Amidžić stated today in Foča that the two projects signed with the Saudi Fund for Development will benefit the people living in Foča, Republika Srpska, and BiH.

After signing two loan agreements with the Director General of the Saudi Fund for Development Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, with a total value of BAM 53,538,516, Amidžić emphasized that such events are the best indicator of how important it is to be engaged in public and political life and to have concrete projects implemented on the ground that will serve the people's benefit. He expressed special gratitude to the dedicated politics of the Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović who initiated these discussions and ensured that not only partnership but also friendly relations were established with the Saudi Fund for Development. "At the same time, Republika Srpska, together with its international partners, is engaging in an investment that will be a source of pride for Foča and Republika Srpska, and thus for BiH as well," Amidžić said. He thanked for the commitment to invest in infrastructure, education, and coexistence. "What I can say regarding Republika Srpska is that these are projects in which you will always find a partner," Amidžić added. Amidžić emphasized that the projects for which agreements were signed today are a way to promote education, as youth are the future of every society. "This is a serious investment for this area, through which we will gain an additional 380 places, which will fully meet the needs of domestic students and, at the same time, increase capacities for foreign students," Amidžić stated. Out of almost 2,500 students, he added that 500 are not BiH citizens, and this should be a matter of pride for this faculty and the University of East Sarajevo itself. He highlighted that the second agreement relates to the construction of the Science and Technology Park in Banja Luka, with a value of nearly BAM 32 million. "The Science and Technology Park will be a bridge between the education sector and the economy in such a way that it will enable young people in Banja Luka and Republika Srpska, to affirm themselves and find that affirmation precisely here. At the same time, they will become the backbone of the economic, scientific, and cultural growth and development of Republika Srpska," Amidžić said. He expressed confidence that cooperation with friends will continue in the future and that other important projects will be implemented in BiH. "Of course, I want to express my gratitude for the nine projects we have already implemented in BiH, with a total value of $150 million, which shows that we can be a credible partner," Amidžić noted. He thanked the guests from Saudi Arabia for the successful cooperation, stressing that he remains open to working together on such projects in the future. Regarding the local community, the Minister of Finance and Treasury expressed special gratitude to Mayor Milan Vukadinović, who allocated significant financial resources to provide and grant the location, as these costs were borne by the Municipality of Foča. "These are the projects that make people love working in politics, and I am extremely pleased to have been part of this process, which was initiated by the Serb member of the BiH Presidency Cvijanović, and continued by the esteemed Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of Republika Srpska Željko Budimir," Amidžić said. He expressed confidence that the foundations of these facilities would be laid soon.