Hodžić: We consider our profit from importing ventilators modest

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Following the information detailed today by Fokus.ba about the import of ventilators through the agricultural farm "Srebrena malina" LLC from Srebrenica, owned by Fikret Hodžić, Hodžić himself issued a statement. The ventilators were paid for with 10.5 million BAM, and this story will have further installments as numerous questions remain unanswered.

He confirmed the information that his company, as he says, under very specific and difficult market conditions, managed to procure 100 ventilators for the needs of the healthcare system of Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation.

"The largest part of the ventilators, 80 of them, have already arrived in our country. Numerous regional media have reported on this. As everyone knows, ventilators are currently the most sought-after commodity in the world, and even the largest and wealthiest countries have problems procuring them. Our satisfaction is even greater because, by utilizing our connections and business relationships with partners from China, we have managed to significantly strengthen our healthcare system with this procurement. It is true that a few months ago we did not imagine that we would be involved in procuring medical equipment. But we are also responsible enough to seize the opportunity presented, especially after realizing that without the involvement of 'FH Srebrena malina', the Federation might have to wait for ventilators, as someone critical was informed, until September or October. We took responsibility, aware that we are thus calming our own conscience and repaying our debt to the community, and that there will be those who will find grounds for attacks even in a humanitarian act and gesture," Hodžić stated.

He says that "Srebrena malina" imported ventilators from China, and in the transport, services of several international airports were used, customs and security agencies of several countries issued the necessary documentation, as did state agencies specialized in controlling and monitoring the trade of medical equipment.

"In addition to the above, a number of international organizations monitor every form and every segment of ventilator trade globally. This was also the case with our delivery. In addition, all domestic prerequisites, all domestic obligations and procedures were met. Competent institutions, governments, and foreign embassies were involved in the business, issuing the necessary documents. No one, at any meridian, stopped us and asked: How is it that the company 'FH Srebrena malina' LLC is buying ventilators. We successfully completed the job because we respect laws and procedures, we do not meddle or cheat. We love our country and agriculture, but we are not an 'agricultural farm'. If those who today present themselves as knowing everything about us had ever visited us in Srebrenica, if they had stopped by Sućeska, they would know that behind us there is only a lot of hard work. We did not expect support, but spare us from unjust and malicious attacks. The business of procuring ventilators for the Federation, although it had a humanitarian character, was primarily trade. In that trade, our company 'FH Srebrena malina' LLC earned a certain amount of money. Those who engage in 'simple calculations' have already declared us millionaires. Others say we 'live on credit'. The truth is in the middle. We work very hard, we are in debt, but there is enough left for us and our ten employees, for dozens of cooperants. In the ventilator business, we were not driven by profit. On the contrary, given the nature of the work we did, we could consider our profit modest. But, we repeat, profit was not our priority. In the end, we sincerely hope that the misfortune that has befallen us will pass quickly. That the need for ventilators will decrease. And we at 'FH Srebrena malina' will continue to work hard, invest in ourselves and our products, and perhaps we will live to see the day when our people will also be proud of us - stated Fikret Hodžić in the announcement.

Meanwhile, the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office has opened a case to investigate the procurement of coronavirus tests and the procurement of ventilators.