It is true that no Bosniak works in the galvanizing plant in Potočari, we hope that will change

The galvanizing plant Potočari – Srebrenica is one of the few factories in this area that operates successfully. However, a stain on the positive work of this factory is the fact that there is no room for workers of Bosniak nationality, writes the Bosnian news agency Patria (NAP).

Patria's interlocutors point out that the entire management of this company, as well as the workers, are of Serbian nationality. However, if there were a departure from these rules, and if there were room for Bosniaks in the galvanizing plant, it would not only have economic benefits for Bosniak returnees, but this act by the company's management would send the strongest message of reconciliation so far from a place where, nearly 20 years ago, the most horrific crimes and genocide in Europe after World War II were committed.

- That message would be stronger than any other gesture of apology - says Patria's interlocutor.

Neđo Trninić, director and one of the co-owners of the Galvanizing Plant Potočari – Srebrenica, spoke with Patria journalists. He did not hide the fact that currently not a single worker of Bosniak nationality works in the galvanizing plant, nor the desire for that to change. Relations, he says, are no longer as tense as a few years ago. If the factory expands its production capacities, Trninić firmly promises, there will be room for everyone, regardless of nationality.

- There were requests to employ a certain number of Bosniak workers after the work, but, as the factory was struggling, we were not in a position to fulfill that. One or two, yes, but we could not employ 15 or 20 as they requested - Trninić explained to Patria.

- Today things are much different, the factory is doing well, and if we expand the facilities, and we have ambitions to do so, there will be room for everyone.

Trninić explains that in recent years the galvanizing plant in Potočari has developed cooperation with the galvanizing plant in Sarajevo, but also with other galvanizing plants owned by Bosniaks, and he personally counts some of his best friends among Bosniaks.

- We hope that our factory will continue to do well, as will other factories, and that quality cooperation will develop among us - says Trninić.

The galvanizing plant Potočari – Srebrenica was, before the war, one of the most successful collectives of the Energoinvest giant. During the bloody conflicts in this area, its facilities were completely destroyed. In 2002, the factory was privatized, and in 2003 it began operations.

According to official stock exchange data, the Galvanizing Plant Potočari was one of the most successful companies in BiH in 2007, and it has remained among the top factories in BiH in terms of business performance to this day. Last year, over 60 workers of the galvanizing plant carried out the galvanization of a record 7,466 tons of metal elements and structures. This is 1,750 tons or 30 percent more compared to production in 2012, or six percent more compared to 2008, when this factory recorded record production, writes Patria.