Ministers Šabani and Pozder visit Olovo Municipality: Committed to tourism development and environmental protection

(PATRIA) - Minister of Spatial Planning, Transport, Communications and Environmental Protection of Zenica-Doboj Canton Adnan Šabani and Federal Minister of Environment and Tourism Nasiha Pozder paid an official visit to the Municipality of
Olovo today.

During the meeting with the host, Mayor Đemal Memagić and his associates, they discussed the development potentials and challenges currently facing this local community.

Mayor Memagić spoke about the Municipality's commitment and projects in tourism, among which the project of arranging the "Zeleni vir" picnic area, including the construction of bungalows and rest areas, holds a special place.

He also emphasized that the Municipality is open to cooperation with investors, but
exclusively in compliance with the law and principles of environmental protection.

-Investors must be socially responsible and invest in local communities,
so that problems can be solved in a sustainable manner. Our primary concern is to protect the Bioštica River, as well as to improve the operation of the "Gradina" landfill, which is being rehabilitated, and for that reason, in addition to very good cooperation with cantonal authorities, we also need partners at the federal level - Memagić stated.

Minister Pozder emphasized that Olovo, like all other Municipalities and Cities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has a partner in the Ministry and the Government of the Federation of BiH. Pozder presented the progress made in drafting the Federal Waste Management Plan and provided guidelines regarding the budget and potential projects for the next year in the environmental segment, especially for the remediation of illegal landfills, as well as tourism.

She particularly highlighted the importance of using interest-free loans from the Development Bank for tourism projects, where the Federal Ministry takes over the repayment of interest.

-For sustainable tourism development, which is in balance with environmental protection, it is important that municipalities like Olovo have quality and ready projects. Protecting natural areas is something we can work on together – at the beginning of the year, amendments to the Nature Protection Act came into force, allowing local communities to protect nature on their territory in a simpler way, so Olovo can use this opportunity for its potentials, and we will provide support there - Minister Pozder stressed.

Also, Pozder informed the Mayor that the Government of the Federation of BiH recently adopted comprehensive information regarding the operator "Geomet", and that one of the conclusions is that the Federal Institute for Agro-pedology provides support in determining the condition of the soil.

Minister Adnan Šabani assessed that the Municipality of Olovo has significant potential for tourism development, and that the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton will continue to support infrastructure projects, regional roads passing through the Municipality, as well as those leading to destinations such as the "Zeleni vir" picnic area and the Sports and Recreation Center "Ajdinovići".

-Infrastructure development will be one of the priorities, and at the same time we are working on establishing waste management centers, as well as an institution for protected natural areas in the canton, which will give us momentum for development but also for the protection of the natural beauties our canton abounds in", said Adnan Šabani, Minister of Spatial Planning, Transport, Communications and Environmental Protection of ZDC.

Ministers Šabani and Pozder, accompanied by Mayor Memagić, visited the "Zeleni vir" picnic area, where the relevant cantonal ministry recently financed the rehabilitation of the local road. The common position is that tourism development, nature conservation and responsible behavior of investors must be interconnected, so that Olovo and the entire region can realize their full potential in a sustainable and long-term manner.