ELEK: PROFIT OF BAM 1,022,000 ACHIEVED THIS WINTER SEASON

JAHORINA, MARCH 6 /SRNA/ – The chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Jahorina Olympic Centre, Nedeljko Elek, stated that during this winter season the Olympic Centre recorded a profit of BAM 1,022,000, BAM 600,000 of which will be allocated to projects in municipalities within the Istočno Sarajevo AOR, as well as the municipality of Rogatica.

"The municipalities of Pale and Trnovo, which border Jahorina, will receive the most, but we also would like to help Sokolac, Rogatica, Istočni Stari Grad and all municipalities in order to jointly create a tourism product unique to this entire region," Elek said after today’s meeting with the Minister of Trade and Tourism of Republika Srpska, Ned Puhovac, on Jahorina.

He emphasized that the Republika Srpska Government of had taken over the Olympic Centre’s loans, creating conditions for the Centre to develop Jahorina using its own funds.

"We feel responsibility toward all other municipalities based on the Government’s decision on us us being the driver of development for the entire region," Elek said.

He recalled that during this season alone, BAM 40 million was paid into the budget of Republika Srpska.

"From Jahorina alone, meaning from hoteliers, the hospitality sector, ski rentals and ski instructors, BAM 40 million went into the budget," Elek stressed.

He added that investments from the private sector amount to BAM one billion, while BAM 170 million was paid to the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH, part of which again went into the budget of Republika Srpska.

"Everything the Government invested, including taking over loans, was effectively returned within a year, and now through fiscal revenues and the budget it is generating income. That is the purpose of the Government’s investments," Elek said.

Of BAM 600,000 that will be distributed to local communities, Pale will receive BAM 250,000.

"A sports field will be built there. They will make the final decision themselves, although we have already agreed on some details," Elek announced, thanking members of the National Assembly Damjan Škipina and Aco Stanišić for participating in the agreement.

Elek announced that Stanišić will provide land where the sports fields will be built.

According to him, the municipality of Trnovo will receive BAM 150,000 for the arrangement of a picnic site.

"Our agreement with the mayor of Sokolac, Strahinja Bašević, is that BAM 6,000 will be paid to one family, but we also agreed to build two sports fields there worth BAM 30,000," he said.

Istočni Stari Grad will receive BAM 6,000 for the Mountain Rescue Service, and Elek emphasized that they are open to supporting any project.

The chairman of the Supervisory Board said he was particularly proud that BAM 72,000 had been allocated for the renovation of a secondary school in Rogatica, demonstrating that attention is not focused only on municipalities bordering Jahorina.

"Local communities of Pale and Trnovo have benefited the most from the development of Jahorina. I remind you that the budget of the municipality of Pale used to be eight million KM and is now 24 million, largely thanks to revenues and development related to Jahorina," Elek said.

An additional BAM 30,000 will be allocated to the Faculty of Economics Istočno Sarajevo of the University of Istočno Sarajevo.

He also pointed out that the most expensive square meter of an apartment in Republika Srpska is no longer in Banja Luka or Bijeljina, but in the municipality of Trnovo.

"These are all consequences of investments primarily by the Government of Republika Srpska on Jahorina, after which Jahorina generated the entire subsequent investment cycle. Jahorina will continue to help not only through these projects, but we will also be the initiator of all future projects toward the Government," Elek announced.

Emphasizing that the Olympic Centre has good cooperation with all local communities, he said they will approach the Government together with municipal mayors, because this is how a state project can function.

"The Government helps and invests during the first three or four years, and after those four years the investment cycle continues on its own," Elek explained.