750 million euros for four sections of Corridor 5C that will connect the entire BiH territory

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Denis Zvizdić participated in the prime ministers' session of the Third Western Balkans Investment Conference in London, organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

During his address, Chairman Zvizdić welcomed the organization of gatherings aimed at cooperation and promotion of the Western Balkans region and emphasized the importance of the EBRD as one of the largest institutional investors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Speaking about priorities for regional projects, Chairman Zvizdić highlighted the significance of infrastructure projects and stressed the need for their swift implementation. He pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina has significant potential in its rich natural resources and that well-designed projects can further stimulate economic development in both BiH and the region. He stated that the countries of the region should define common interests and translate them into regional projects in the coming period.

The Western Balkans Prime Ministers' session was held after the official opening of the conference and welcoming remarks by EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti, Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borissov, and UK Minister for International Development Lord Bates.

During the prime ministers' session, discussions focused on upcoming investments in infrastructure, particularly transport, but also opened up opportunities for investment in energy infrastructure and the upcoming digital connectivity of the Western Balkan countries. Chairman Zvizdić stated that what is very important for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entire region is the fact that everyone understood that the lack of transport infrastructure, in particular, is one of the biggest reasons for the slow economic development of the entire region, and that this is the focus of further action by both the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank.

During the conference, an additional agreement with the EBRD in the amount of 750 million euros was signed for four sections of the 5C highway, approximately 70 kilometers in length, of which 500 million is for the territory of the Federation of BiH and 250 million for the territory of Republika Srpska. This will complete a significant section that will connect the entire territory of BiH, thereby enabling new investments and a stronger flow of goods and people, and ultimately, the economic development of BiH.

At the end of his address, Chairman Zvizdić expressed hope that the discussions at today's conference will improve and strengthen relations between the countries of the region and result in concrete projects.

In addition to Chairman Zvizdić, the conference was attended by the Prime Ministers of the Western Balkans: Edi Rama (Albania), Zoran Zaev (Macedonia), Ana Brnabić (Serbia), Duško Marković (Montenegro), and Ramush Haradinaj (Kosovo). The Deputy Chairman and Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, Mirko Šarović, also attended the conference.