MINIĆ CONGRATULATES DRAGAN KRNDIJA FOR CHOOSING TO INVEST IN HIS HOMELAND AFTER VIENNA

ŠIPOVO, JULY 15 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić congratulated Dragan Krndija on his return, after 35 years in Vienna, to his hometown of Šipovo, where he purchased a hotel and invested substantial funds in its renovation, and announced institutional support for its further development.

"I believe this is one of the top destinations I have visited in Republika Srpska, and today I said that we will organize the Government's first activities here when it comes to seminars and congress tourism," Minić told reporters after meeting with Krndija. Minić emphasized that this is an exceptionally positive example and promised that the first session of the Hunting Association of Republika Srpska would be held there. According to the Prime Minister, this deserves the attention not only of the Government but of every citizen, and he invited anyone who has the time and happens to be in the area to come and see this beauty for themselves. He added that they had discussed today the improvement of a section of the riverbed so that it would fit in with the surrounding environment, bearing in mind that it is located just before the river's mouth. "It will be one of our applicants for tourism support through regular measures, as well as, of course, through special extraordinary measures that will contribute to making this a place as it should be," Minić said. He emphasized the wealth of Republika Srpska, with its beautiful destinations, noting that more than 1,000 tourists are currently staying in Šipovo alone, and that during the "Days of Šipovo" event there will be as many as five or six thousand visitors. "All of them will promote what they have seen in Republika Srpska, and the Government will support all these projects and express its gratitude for the courage and patriotism shown by deciding to invest your savings in your homeland, after spending several decades abroad," Minić said. Hotel owner Dragan Krndija said that he had returned from Vienna, where he had worked for 35 years, and that he and his wife came back to their hometown of Šipovo, where they purchased a hotel in poor condition and renovated it. He explained that the hotel is located at the confluence of the Pliva and Janj rivers, and that he plans to build swimming pools, sports facilities, another smaller zoo, and an outdoor gym. He stated that the hotel has a capacity of 50 rooms plus 12 apartments and can accommodate around 150 guests. It currently employs 17 workers, and he said he plans to hire at least as many more. "You can have a great time here for a small amount of money. This is a beautiful town with many opportunities for everyone," Krndija said. He called on people living in the Diaspora to return to their hometowns, explaining that there is work available here as well, that one can live well, and that anyone willing to work can earn a good living.