Delić on EXPO: The contract was signed with the organizer, not a marketing agency

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - During the debate on the rebalancing of the 2021 Budget of the Sarajevo Canton, representative Jasmina Bišćević-Tokić (SDA) raised several questions regarding the participation of the Sarajevo Canton at the EXPO fair in Dubai.

She asked for an answer as to which agency the contract was signed with, how long the public call lasted, why 4.2 million KM was paid, and why 20 people were planned to travel to Dubai when the proposal of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina had foreseen eight people. She also asked how the contract was signed on October 24, while the rebalancing that provides the funds has not yet been adopted, given that they are discussing it today.

These questions were answered by Minister of Economy Adnan Delić (NIP), who did not hide his anger at what he called an attempt to create a scandal. 

He stated that the Government of the Sarajevo Canton tasked the Ministry of Economy and him as minister to implement this project and enable the participation of the Sarajevo Canton, i.e., businessmen from Bosnia and Herzegovina, at EXPO. 

"I have the feeling that I am a minister in the RSNA and that I am answering some accusations," Delić said. 

Delić emphasized that 2.6 million KM was allocated from the current reserve for obligations in 2021 (including the rebalancing), and 2 million KM in the 2022 budget.

"The Government of the Sarajevo Canton approved those funds. 1,150,000 KM from the current reserve for the organization of trade fairs," he said, and that money has already been paid. 

He explained that the Office for the Fight against Corruption was asked for a list of public procurement experts and their alternate members, and that the Ministry of Economy created a Commission for operational presentation and negotiation procedure on October 13, which included seven experts in the field of public procurement.

When asked why the call was open for only one day and whether other agencies could apply, Delić said that the contract could only be awarded to a specific supplier.

He denied that a contract was signed with a marketing agency, stating it was with the organizer. 

"We will send at least 50 businessmen to Expo because they deserve to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina and have something to offer. We agreed that payment would be in four installments. The first installment has already been paid to the organizer's account. Installment payments were agreed upon due to possible abuses and according to the obligations incurred. We accepted the offer from EXPO and we know nothing about any other offer," Delić said. 

In conclusion, he said, "to all those who want to make a scandal out of this, I tell you, you will not succeed."