Minister Hrnjić visits Velika Kladuša: An opportunity for a multi-million project in sanitation
The Federal Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry Kemal Hrnjić has started today his weekly visit to the Una-Sana Canton in the Municipality of Velika Kladuša. This is the first in a series of meetings that Minister Hrnjić plans to hold in USK from 1-4 September 2025.
Accompanied by the representatives of the Sava River Water Area Agency headed by director Senad Memić, minister discussed priority areas at the meeting with Mayor Boris Horvat, including sustainable management of water resources and capacity building in the area of sanitation. The meeting focused on the implementation of the water supply and sanitation project in the area of Velika Kladuša worth 16 million euro. The project concerns the construction of the sewage system in the urban part of the municipality, the regulation of the Kladušnica riverbed and the construction of a wastewater treatment plant.
During his visit to Velika Kladuša, Minister Hrnjić also visited the modern dairy farm Zara, where he discussed the challenges and potential in dairy sector. He also met with the members of the Association of Entrepreneurs of Velika Kladuša, discussing ways to strengthen support for entrepreneurship and creating a more favorable business environment, as well as the challenges faced by businessmen due to the ongoing traffic blockades and the demands of carriers in Bosnia and Herzegovina that operate within the territory of the European Union.
“The goal of this visit is to talk directly with the representatives of the local community, to hear their needs and to look for solutions together. Velika Kladuša has the potential to participate in the project of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and today we informed the mayor and his associates about the possibilities available to them. It is a multimillion-dollar project in which the municipality participates with credit funds and an equal amount of grant funds,” said Minister Hrnjić.
Mayor Boris Horvat thanked the minister for coming and emphasized the importance of direct dialogue. “The support of the federal level of government is extremely important to us. Together we can implement projects that will improve the lives of our citizens and create new jobs. I see this meeting as the beginning of even more intensive cooperation, especially in the areas needing development and improvement in Velika Kladuša, which is water and sanitation system,” Mayor Horvat said after the meeting.
Minister Hrnjić plans to visit several local communities in the Una-Sana Canton and attend the opening of the EKOBIS Fair in Bihać, where he will talk with businessmen, agricultural producers and representatives of local authorities.
This visit is a pledge of the line ministry to recognize and respond to their specific needs in direct dialogue with local communities in order to contribute to improving farming, sustainable management of natural resources and strengthening the economy and agriculture of the Una-Sana Canton.