KOŠARAC: FREE ZONE IN BROD SHOWS THAT REPUBLIKA SRPSKA ONLY SEEKS TO FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENT

BELGRADE, JULY 3 /SRNA/ - Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac said that the adoption of the decision on establishing the Brod Free Zone is proof that Republika Srpska only wants to focus on development.

Košarac stressed that the establishment of the free zone in Brod is the result of affirmative policies of Republika Srpska and local policies of the municipality of Brod. "Republika Srpska, through the implementation of its policies, seeks exclusively to focus on development. This is a development component for the municipality of Brod," Košarac told SRNA. He stressed that the establishment of the Brod Free Zone confirms that Republika Srpska has the capacity to attract foreign investors, as they also consider it suitable for investment due to certain tax policies. "We have also established a free zone in the area of Gradiška, as well as for the city of Trebinje," Košarac said. He noted that there are announcements that the city of Bijeljina will do the same, and that discussions are also underway regarding Istočno Sarajevo, adding that this reflects the sound policies of the institutions of Republika Srpska. "This is one of the very popular policies of President Milorad Dodik and the leadership of Republika Srpska, aimed at positioning free zones in Republika Srpska," Košarac said. He added that, when he became minister, he inherited a situation in which there were only three free zones in the FBiH, but that there are now three in Republika Srpska as well, with a fourth one also announced. "In this case as well, this only confirms the legal, official, and credible policies of the institutions of Republika Srpska," Košarac stressed. He thanked the authorities in Gradiška, Trebinje, and Brod, who have a vision of how to attract foreign investors, create jobs, and generate significant revenues for the budgets of municipalities and Republika Srpska. The Council of Ministers adopted yesterday, at the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, a decision on the establishment of the "Brod Free Zone."