Pivić visited New Zenica Steel Mill: Preserving steel production is a strategic interest of BiH

(Patria) - Prime Minister of Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK) Nezir Pivić stated at a meeting in New Zenica Steel Mill that preserving steel production is a strategic interest of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- I am sorry that we have even come to a position where we are discussing the eventual continuation of steel production in Zenica today, because we know how significant it is not only for Zenica and ZDK, but it is, first and foremost, a strategic interest of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

After that, we can talk about all economic parameters, about the 2,000 jobs that are directly threatened, and in the chain of partners and suppliers, a total of 11,000 jobs - said Pivić, who came to the meeting together with the Deputy Speaker of the ZDK Assembly, Goran Bulajić.



New Zenica Steel Mill organized a meeting with suppliers, to which representatives of the executive authorities at all levels were invited, after the Council of Ministers of BiH rejected the introduction of temporary measures to protect domestic steel production.

The Prime Minister expressed regret that the "top officials" of the Council of Ministers of BiH and the Government of FBiH, as well as the relevant federal ministry, did not attend the meeting, nor did representatives of the City of Zenica. He particularly emphasized the role of the Government of FBiH, which owns eight percent of the capital of New Zenica Steel Mill.

- The fact that the Steel Mill was sold and that the Government of FBiH is a co-owner of eight percent, and that it was not previously discussed what ArcelorMittal did, whether it fulfilled its obligations, whether it fulfilled the obligations under the agreement it had when taking over the Steel Mill, but that it abruptly left and we don't know what they left behind, indicates the responsibility of the Government of FBiH, which had to conduct that process transparently.

It had to inform the public about how this transaction occurred, what the vision of the new owners is, and from today's meeting, we must send a clear message that steel production must continue, what the modalities are, how and by what means the financial stability of this company will be ensured, and that is, of course, at higher levels of government.

Today, I sent a message that, as far as the Government of ZDK is concerned, we remain committed to resolving this issue and that we will stand by preserving production because we believe this is an extremely important issue - said Pivić.



He stated that ZDK has good macroeconomic parameters - growth in industrial production and a surplus in foreign trade, and that the interruption of production in New Zenica Steel Mill would not only threaten the economy but also cause a social crisis and unemployment.

- The consequences would also be felt in other segments, such as higher education, the future and development of metallurgy and mechanical engineering studies, and if you will, the entire University of Zenica. This would not remain only at the local community level, but the consequences would be felt by the entire country of BiH, because these parameters we have are linked to the entire economic system of BiH - Pivić points out.

He reiterated that the Government of ZDK does not have jurisdiction over key issues for the survival of steel production in Zenica and that it will make itself available if a concrete proposal or measure that the cantonal level of government can adopt is submitted.