TRANSPORT SECTOR CALLS ON FBiH TO LIFT BLOCKADE ON GRADIŠKA CROSSING

SARAJEVO, APRIL 3 /SRNA/ – The Logistika BiH Consortium has called on the Government of the Federation of BiH /FBiH/ to urgently reconsider the positions of the FBiH-appointed member of the Steering Board of the Indirect Taxation Authority /ITA/ of BiH Zijad Krnjić and enable the unblocking of the decision-making process for opening the Gradiška border crossing, a key logistics system in BiH.

The consortium's chief coordinator Velibor Peulić told SRNA that the Gradiška border crossing is not a local issue, but a solution in the interest of the entire economy. "Have the problems of transport operators and the logistics sector become invisible to the FBiH Government?" Peulić asked. He said that the fact no agreement was reached again yesterday regarding operational improvements at the Gradiška border crossing further complicates the already difficult position of transport operators. "This directly prolongs waiting times and increases time losses for carriers. Efficiency is declining, costs are rising. Any delay in resolving issues at border crossings has direct consequences for the economy," Peulić said. He said that transport operators expect an urgent response from the FBiH Government to enable the unblocking of the opening of the Gradiška border crossing. At an emergency session yesterday, the ITA BiH Steering Board failed for the fifth time to reach an agreement that would enable the new Gradiška border crossing to become operational, as the move was again blocked by Krnjić, an expert appointed from the FBiH. The Chamber of Commerce of Republika Srpska has filed a criminal complaint with the BiH Prosecutor's Office against Krnjić for blocking the adoption of the necessary acts to enable the operation of the Gradiška border crossing on the new bridge over the Sava River. More than EUR 100 million have been invested in the overall project, which includes the construction of the bridge over the Sava River, the new border crossing, and accompanying access roads, making it one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the region.