Bećirović spoke with World Bank representatives: In 30 years, they invested 2.8 billion dollars in 95 projects in BiH

(Patria) - Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Denis Bećirović spoke with World Bank representatives as part of activities marking 30 years of partnership between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the World Bank. The meeting was attended by Eugene Philip Rhuggenaath (Executive Director), Akihiko Nishio (Vice President for Development Finance - DFIVP), Dirk Reinermann (Director for IDA Mobilization and IBRD Corporate Finance), Xiaoqing Yu (Director for the Western Balkans, Europe and Central Asia), and Christopher Sheldon (Country Manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro).

World Bank representatives highlighted the significance of projects that have contributed to the country's economic development and improved living conditions for citizens. They also emphasized the importance of continuing this cooperation for future infrastructure projects and investments.

Executive Director Eugene Philip Rhuggenaath presented the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Denis Bećirović with a publication issued on the occasion of thirty years of cooperation between the World Bank and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the history of the World Bank, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the first country to emerge from war and become a donor to the International Development Association (IDA) in just 28 years.

World Bank representatives proudly noted that Bosnia and Herzegovina became a donor country to the World Bank last year, emphasizing that during the period 1996-2000, Bosnia and Herzegovina was the largest per capita recipient of World Bank concessional loans through IDA, demonstrating its significant progress and development.

Chairman Bećirović expressed satisfaction with the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina has transitioned from a recipient of development aid to a partner of the World Bank:

“From a country that was one of the largest recipients of development aid and concessional loans, today we have become a reliable partner in implementing key projects. Our joint work has resulted in significant improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other sectors. This progress would not have been possible without the continuous support and cooperation of the World Bank, for which we are extremely grateful,” said Bećirović.

A special occasion for the meeting is also the marking of 30 years of partnership between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the World Bank, as well as the marking of 20 years since the reconstruction of the Old Bridge in Mostar.

World Bank representatives highlighted the significance of past investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As of 2022, the World Bank has invested approximately 2.8 billion US dollars in BiH through 95 projects. Additionally, during the period 2023-2024, two additional projects worth about 150 million US dollars were agreed upon. Particularly notable is the largest investor, IDA, which also invested in the reconstruction of the Old Bridge in Mostar as part of its 65 projects.

This meeting once again confirmed the strong cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the World Bank.

Bećirović and World Bank representatives expressed a shared commitment to continuing work on projects that will bring further economic and social progress.