Politics blocks export for the most successful company in Velika Kladuša, AIRVENT

Access to the factory of AIRVENT, one of the most successful Bosnian companies for the production of ventilation equipment from Velika Kladuša, has been blocked since this morning, writes NAP. The access to the company was blocked last night by the owners of the struggling construction company Grupex. The owners of this company have claimed for some time that the premises where AIRVENT's facilities are leased are their property. However, the former Velika Kladuša food giant Agrokomerc also claims ownership of these halls. They have written evidence for this.

While the ownership dispute over the halls is ongoing, AIRVENT is suffering significant losses.

Nermin Alešević, director of AIRVENT, told NAP that two trucks have been unable to reach the warehouse and pick up goods since this morning. Customers in the European Union are waiting.

AIRVENT is a successful company from Velika Kladuša that produces cooling equipment. The company employs 35 workers. The majority owner is an Austrian businessman. All production is exported to the demanding European Union market. Last year alone, they exported 360 trucks to the EU from this company. Alešević explains that in 2016, they plan to export 500 trucks. He also plans to create new jobs.

However, the crime committed during post-war privatization in Bosnia and Herzegovina is now standing in his way.

- We signed a lease agreement for the premises with Agrokomerc. We have been here for more than ten years. We leased about 2,000 square meters. But, for some time now, Grupex has been claiming that these halls are theirs. Now they have blocked our access to the factory. It is obvious that this is a case of major crime - says Alešević.

Agrokomerc claims for NAP that Grupex falsified documents to seize their real estate. The entire case has ended up in court.

Indikator.ba writes that the majority owner of Grupex is now the company Mujan Finance d.o.o. Sarajevo with 50.9 percent, GP Put owns 31.6 percent, and ZIF Fortuna fond 12.2 percent. Ownership in Grupex is also held by several smaller shareholders. The company recorded a net loss of 1.06 million KM in the first half of 2015.

MUJAN FINANCE d.o.o. Sarajevo did not wish to comment on this case, writes NAP.