EBRD Ready to Help BIH within Its Mandate



Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BIH and Minister of Finance and Treasury dr. Nikola Šprić talked today with Vice-President for Policy and Strategy of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Andraš Simor.

The main topic to today’s meeting was a prospect of EBRD assistance in the reconstruction process regions in BIH hit by floods.

Minister Špirić briefed EBRD Vice-President on on-going activities relating to damage assessment and organisation of a donor conference to secure needed funds for the reconstruction of flooded areas throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“It is still impossible to come out with precise estimates of damage caused by the floods, because BIH authorities are currently in the process of damage assessment, which involves relevant international institutions. It is certain that we will have to face with indirect, other than direct aftermaths of these disastrous floods, which may have an impact to the banking sector, as well”, Špirić underlined.

Simor conveyed his condolence for the victims of catastrophic floods in BIH, and said that the EBRD will extend assistance to BIH within its mandate.

He stressed that the most expeditious way to act is in the areas where the loans have already been approved in order to save time needed for lengthy procedures preceding the loan arrangements, and added that the EBRD may give its support in reconstruction of road and railway network and to small farmers.

The RBRD Vice-President pointed out that there are no restrictions as to the placement of Bank resources in BIH, and confirmed that his institution will participate at the donor conference, scheduled to take place after the damage assessment is done, which would be the best chance to define priorities and concrete support projects. 

The meeting emphasised that the EBRD currently finances 61 projects in BIH worth EUR 985 million.

The meeting was attended by Head of the EBRD Office in BIH Libor Krkoshka.

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