DODIK: REPUBLIKA SRPSKA'S BIGGEST SIN IS BEING SUCCESSFUL AND STABLE

VUKOSAVLJE, NOVEMBER 7 /SRNA/ - SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated today that Republika Srpska’s biggest sin is being successful and stable, and that this is something those who wish harm upon Srpska cannot tolerate.

"Republika Srpska is being built and is working. Some do not see it, but I believe they act out of malice, because they want to undermine a serious effort in which Republika Srpska is ready next year to carry out investment projects worth more than BAM four billion", Dodik told reporters in Vukosavlje. Dodik stated that there is no place in Republika Srpska where work is not being done. "Reconstruction of the road section from Klašnica toward Banja Luka is underway, and the renovation of the road from Banja Luka to Novoselija is also starting. The highway from Prijedor to Banja Luka is already under construction. There are also investments in the health sector, including the completion of the hospital in Trebinje, which will be ready to open by the end of December", Dodik emphasized. Dodik recalled that yesterday he visited the intake tunnel of the Dabar Hydropower Plant, the construction of which began six to seven years ago, describing it as a massive investment. Regarding highway construction, Dodik said that one problem remains: redefining relations with European banking institutions concerning the Corridor Vc. "Before that, we need to adjust our plans regarding the construction of run-of-the-river hydropower plants on the Bosna River, because otherwise the water level would rise by 10 to 15 meters, which would be too expensive an investment. We will propose to the National Assembly a solution by which we will withdraw the previous plan for building these power plants", Dodik explained. He emphasized that energy facilities are being constructed across Republika Srpska and that there is a visible expansion of private investment in solar energy. According to him, Republika Srpska has around BAM 2.6 billion in investments this year. "This year, we have excellent economic indicators. We are close to BAM 20 billion in domestic product. I want us to continue intensifying works that will drive us forward and aim for growth of around three percent this year", Dodik said, adding that growth in the first six months was 2.2 percent. Republika Srpska, Dodik added, is the least indebted, with total debt at 31 percent and public debt at 28 percent of GDP. "We have the lowest budget deficit, which was 0.4 percent last year, and this year it may be slightly higher, but not more than one percent", Dodik stated. Dodik said that Republika Srpska has carried out very difficult tasks under impossible circumstances. "Our biggest obstacle is BiH. If BiH did not exist and we had the freedom to create a business environment and build infrastructure, we would have no problems. BiH has been an obstacle to the Buk Bijela project, which could have been completed by now", Dodik emphasized. Dodik recalled that the construction of the airport in Trebinje began under the most favorable conditions, but Sarajevo stopped it. "However, we live under such circumstances and are still making progress. Next year, our ambitions are high. Over the next three years, we will build a gas pipeline from Banja Luka to Bijeljina and further to Zvornik. In that project as well, Sarajevo has stopped us", Dodik said.