Minister Hrnjić with EIB’s Friscia

Minister Hrnjić met with EIB representative in BiH Sandrine Friscia to discuss the projects of importance for municipalities and towns in the Federation of BiH.

They exchanged perspectives on the activities in the current EIB-funded project and the plans for new projects of interest to municipalities in the Federation of BiH. They discussed the preparation of the new project Watsan FBiH – Phase II focused on water supply and waste water treatment infrastructure development. Systemically and functionally, the new project should be improved in accordance with the analysis findings and lessons learnt on the WATSAN FBiH project.

Ms. Friscia informed Minister Hrnjić that the EIB is ready to approve 60 million euros for this project as favorable loans for municipalities willing to participate in the project. According to Ms. Friscia, up to 50% of the funds could be provided as grants, depending on the local communities and the quality of the project designs. Other source of grants could also be tapped for the implementation of projects.

Minister Hrnjić also spoke about the demands for projects in the field of effective flood defense, forest management and renewable energy. It was agreed that the local communities interested in participating in this project shall have project documentation ready, and that technical support for the Project Management Service should be prepared for the development of studies and project proposals.

Friscia congratulated Minister Hrnjić on his appointment as Federal Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, expressing hope that the established cooperation will continue in the future. The meeting was also attended by Amina Smajić, head of the Project Management Service at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry.

The municipalities that expressed interest in participating in the EIB project Watsan FBiH – Phase II are the following: Bihać, Bosanska Krupa, Bosanski Petrovac, Bosansko Grahovo, Banovići, Grude, Breza, Busovača, Bužim, Cazin, Center Sarajevo, Čitluk, Doboj Jug, Drvar, Goražde, Ilijaš, Ilidža, Jablanica, Kakanj, Kalesija, Konjic, Kupres, Ključ, Kreševo, Lukavac, Ljubuški, Maglaj, Neum, Novi Grad Sarajevo, Odžak, Posušje, Sanski Most, Srebrenik, Široki Brijeg, Tešanj, Tomislavgrad, Trnovo, Velika Kladuša, Visoko, Vogošća, Zavidovići, Zenica and Živinice.