MINIĆ: NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH INSURANCE COMPANIES TO PROTECT AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

BANJALUKA, AUGUST 27 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Prime Minister-designate Savo Minić stated that consultations with farmers in Srpska addressed the necessity of establishing a consortium of banks or insurance companies that would insure agricultural production in case of damage.

“After every storm or extreme weather event, our agricultural producers turn exclusively to the Government. The Government is not an insurance company, it cannot and will not cover the damages, but we will create a system to allow insurance under simpler and binding conditions,” Minić stressed.

He explained that in due time, insurance will certainly be a condition for receiving agricultural incentives, as is the practice in neighboring countries.

Minić pointed out that imports have largely devalued domestic production.

“Our pig breeders now have problems with slaughterhouse production as well. I think that as a Government we need to see what we can do as a lex specialis regarding the Public Procurement Law, so that our hospitals, kindergartens, and all public institutions use domestic products,” Minić said.

He added that he also spoke today with representatives of pensioners, who number 230,000 in Srpska.

“They are satisfied with the Government’s stance, in that they are first on the priority list regarding the payment schedule and the latest adjustment, the three percent increase,” Minić said at a press conference in Banja Luka following consultations with social partners.

Minić also referred to the work of the Republic Investment Directorate, noting that it will operate in a way that all investors coming to Srpska report to a single point of contact.

“The goal is to simplify all permits at the local and republic level, everything that is important, in this way. To have someone who takes care of the investor and to build trust,” Minić emphasized.