Minister Hadžić Receives Austrian Ambassador in Introductory Visit



Minister of Communications and Transport of BIH Damir Hadžić received in Sarajevo Austrian Ambassador in BIH dr. Donatus Köck in an introductory visit.

Ambassador Köck said that Austria is a major foreign investor in BIH, and that 400 Austrian companies make successful business in our country.

A proof of good economic cooperation is in the fact that BIH has had a surplus in foreign exchange with Austria, said the Austrian Ambassador, mentioning that the Bosnia and Herzegovina’s diaspora is the major diaspora in Austria and that between 1,500 and 2,000 students attend studies in Austria.

Ambassador Köck expressed his interest for the corridor V c, Neum Corridor and Ploče Port projects.

Minister Hadžić said that a number of construction sites were opened along the Corridor V cm, and expressed his expectations that a motorway section long 100 km stretching from South part of Sarajevo to Zenica will be completed by summer 2014.

A Motorway section, long 20 km, on Corridor’s Southern part, from Bijača to Počitelj is currently under construction, as is the Odžak-Orašje section, also 20km long, on Northern part of the Corridor. Noting that the project documentation for other sections is currently in the process of preparation, Minister Hadžić expressed his conviction that the Corridor V c will be completed by the end of 2015.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is interested for the construction of the Neum Corridor, but there is still on-going debate in Croatia on construction of a bridge to Pelješac. An agreement will be reached hopefully, as Bosnia and Herzegovina is interested for a parallel solution finding to the Ploče Port, which is an extremely important issue for BIH’s economy, Minister Hadžić said.

Speaking of the implications of Croatia’s joining the EU, Minister Hadžić indicated that other than negative effects, BIH will also enjoy some benefits, as it is expected to be more attractive to foreign investors, and he invited Austrian companies to make their investments to BIH. He announced soon preparation of a Road Map on positive effects of Croatia’s entry into the EU.

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