World Bank ready to monitor project implementation as fast as BiH can

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Denis Zvizdić met in Washington with the World Bank Director for Southeast Europe Ellen Goldstein to discuss the implementation of current projects and future cooperation between BiH and this international financial institution, the Council of Ministers announced, reports the Patria News Agency. 

Zvizdić thanked for the cooperation so far and said that the World Bank is one of the largest institutional investors in BiH and praised the continuous advisory and technical support in various areas. They also discussed projects being implemented in BiH and highlighted visible progress in the realization of reform processes.

Goldstein expressed optimism due to the progress BiH has made in the past year. She said that this is the first time that a BiH delegation has had meetings at an exceptionally high level at the World Bank and IMF, and that this is a sign that BiH is entering a new dynamic phase in which further progress on the path to the EU is possible.

Discussing the implementation of projects financed by World Bank funds, Chairman Zvizdić asked Director Goldstein for the funds for projects to be disbursed at a pace that BiH will be ready to implement them. These projects concern infrastructure, reconstruction of the healthcare system, public enterprises, and projects dedicated to strengthening transport and energy infrastructure. He emphasized that everyone in BiH is aware that reforms in all sectors have no alternative. He also said that work must be done on healing the entire system so that investments yield results.

Director Goldstein said that the World Bank is ready to support BiH and implement agreed projects as quickly as BiH can. She also said that the World Bank will continue to provide assistance in overcoming problems in the future.

The meeting was attended by Tatyana Proskuryakova, Head of the World Bank Office for BiH, BiH Ambassador to the USA Haris Hrle, Governor of the Central Bank of BiH Safet Softić, and Prime Minister of RS Željka Cvijanović, according to the statement.