GOVERNMENT FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER KEY ISSUES

BIJELJINA, JUNE 11 /SRNA/ – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik has stated this evening in Bijeljina that Republika Srpska is secure and that the goal is to improve the living standards of 400,000 families in Republika Srpska.

"We would like the coming period to bring fewer people facing social and other hardships, and to create as many jobs as possible. Compared to several years ago, we have 50,000 more people employed. Our production and economic output in Republika Srpska exceed BAM 20 billion," Dodik told the press in Bijeljina.

Dodik recalled that more than BAM 4 billion has been invested and pointed to the recently adopted budget revision amounting to BAM 8.5 billion.

"This is Republika Srpska we have brought into a position of balance. We are stable, our system and government are predictable, it is focused on solving infrastructure and economic problems, social needs," Dodik emphasized.

He added that Republika Srpska has strengthened its position internationally and that, although he is not yet satisfied with everything, progress has been made that gives a hope.

"Unlike those who get up every day and say that nothing is good, I must say that I am fighting for Republika Srpska that is good. We may not yet have exceptionally high salaries or everything else we would like, but that is why we are still fighting for," Dodik said.

Dodik recalled that only two years ago the average salary in Republika Srpska was BAM 650, while today it stands at BAM 1,680.

"That is not the result of inflation; it is the result of continuous increases. Pensions are paid regularly. We have the same number of pensioners as workers, and we are succeeding in maintaining the pension system," Dodik stressed.

According to him, Republika Srpska demonstrates its statehood every day through strong institutions.

"I am ready to fight against those defeatists and nihilists who constantly claim that nothing is good and that our young people are leaving, while everywhere we look new apartment buildings are being constructed. Through incentives for young married couples, we are trying to provide favourable arrangements for purchasing those apartments," Dodik said.