CARRIERS SATISFIED WITH NEW BORDER CROSSING’S OPENING - SAVINGS ENORMOUS

SARAJEVO, MAY 20 /SRNA/ – Transport companies in BiH expressed satisfaction over the opening of the new border crossing in Gradiška and the normalization of the flow of goods, as this directly reduces the enormous operational losses of transport and logistics companies, Velibor Peulić, coordinator of the Logistics BiH Consortium, told SRNA.

Peulić stated that, according to sector’s estimates, previous delays, rerouting, and additional waiting times had caused damages and extra costs of approximately EUR 350,000 per day through additional mileage and fuel consumption, increased toll costs, lost driver’s working hours, delays in supply chains, disruptions to exports and imports, and higher logistics and distribution costs. "The opening of the bridge represents a significant step toward stabilizing transport flows and easing the burden on the economy of BiH, especially considering the fact that road transport carries the dominant share of the country’s goods traffic," Peulić emphasized. He added that the Consortium thanks all institutions, partners, and competent authorities that recognised the seriousness of the problem and contributed to finding an operational solution. "At the same time, we emphasize that it is necessary to continue strengthening the capacities of border crossings, modernizing infrastructure, digitalizing procedures, accelerating the flow of goods, developing green and digital corridors, and coordination of the institutions of BiH and Croatia," Peulić said. Peulić expressed hope that by August 19, as announced, the old bridge would be reconstructed and that there would be more border crossings equipped with inspection control. He also thanked Croatia for acting efficiently yesterday within a very short period of time.