Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the Western Balkans Holger Muent said that the bank invested more than 200 million EUR in 15 projects in BiH last year.
“Cumulatively, this means that we have invested more than two billion EUR in BiH, and these projects are worth more than 4.5 billion EUR,” said Muent after representatives of the EBRD in Banja Luka presented the Report on transition for the period 2016-2017 entitled as “Equal opportunities in the world of inequality”.
Muent emphasized that when it comes to BiH, the EBRD mostly invested in infrastructure, and they worked with small and medium enterprises with the aim of their growth and increase of competitiveness, which should lead to the creation of new workplaces and reduce the inequality.
Deputy Director of EBRD for strategy and policy Peter Sanfrey said that they put emphasis on the promotion of equal opportunities.
“The economic situation in BiH was improved in recent years, and we foresee GDP growth of 3 % for 2017,” said Sanfrey.
Speaking of challenges that BiH is facing with, Sanfey noted that in our country is being implemented a comprehensive program of reforms within the Reform Agenda.
“When it comes to ease of dealing with business, BiH is still lagging behind other regional countries. The encouraging fact is that this country is committed and dedicated to the membership in the European Union, and the many challenges it is facing with will be addressed in this process. It will be a difficult journey that will last for several years,” said Sanfrey.
He assessed that things are getting better, but not so quickly, and he emphasized that the EBRD will try to contribute to its activities.
Head of Resident Office of EBRD Jan Braun said that they secured loans and advisory support for women entrepreneurs.
“This is one of the examples of our assistance to the small and medium-sized enterprises that are led by women, and our goal is to reduce inequality,” stated Braun.
(Source: klix.ba)
