Meeting with the EBRD and the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH

Today, September 10, 2020, Olympic Center Jahorina has been visited by the Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Ms. Manuela Naessl together with the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, Mr. Staša Košarac. The director and president of the Supervisory Board of OC Jahorina, Mr. Dejan Ljevnaić and Mr. Nedeljko Elek, welcomed them on the Olympic mountain and made them best assured to see all the beauties of Jahorina as well as its potentials and possibilites for growth and development of tourism.

The director of OC Jahorina, Mr. Dejan Ljevnaić, said: “I am happy that Ms. Manuela Naessl, Director of the Office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development as well as the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Mr. Staša Košarac are today tith us. The support of Minister Košarac in our work so far has meant a lot to us, and now I am sure that with the arrival of Mrs. Naessl that support will only be stronger for which we are very grateful. Today we held a constructive meeting regarding the plans and further development of OC Jahorina and I believe that such meetings will become a practice and contribute to the best possible positioning of Jahorina on the European market.

The good results we have achieved this summer season, despite all the difficulties with the Covid-19 pandemic, tell us that we have planned properly so far and that we have made a good selection of investments, which we promise in the future. Jahorina is in the focus of investors’ interest, but the construction is going according to plan, preparations are underway, and specifically the construction of a cable car, a ski slope with a snow system, carpet lifts, as well as the construction of the Rajska Dolina cable car with a point of sale and two ski slopes along the route of the cable car, sports hall Center and ski center Igrišta. The most demanding project will be the construction of the Jahorina – Pale Gondola, 7,500 m long, with a capacity of 3,000 skiers per hour, with the aim of connecting the city center of Pale with the mountain, which is a new type of transport.

As you can hear, a lot of infrastructural works await us, and our expert team will work diligently on the realization of historical projects, after which Jahorina will be the leader of the entire Southeast Europe, which is our vision and mission. We have acquainted our today’s guests with all our plans and we hope that their help in the realization will not be lacking, because in addition to major infrastructure works, we pay special attention to nature and its preservation as well as people from local communities and regions who will be provided with new jobs and a secured future, which is also one of Europe’s leading values. ”

“As far as the EBRD is concerned, we are open to negotiations when it comes to private and joint capital in the future. I am enchanted by Jahorina, it really has great potential that should be used and with smart investments make it an ideal tourist destination. I would also like to point out that we can provide support to the Ministry in the implementation of the tourism strategy, “Naessl said.

Minister Staša Košarac expressed satisfaction with today’s meeting and the results achieved when it comes to the summer season on Jahorina and added: “I am committed as before to work with the supervisory board and management on the affirmation of this mountain that can become a regional leader in tourism and the visit of Mrs. Manuele Naessl is just another proof that Jahorina is going in that direction. The management of OC Jahorina has a long-term development plan for this mountain, which we have heard on several occasions today, and that is something that makes me especially happy, because tourism in BiH can be an important branch of the economy if not take precedence. In the coming days, we will define our strategic movement from the aspect of promoting the plans and results of OC Jahorina, which are really an example of good business practice in the region. ”

The President of the Supervisory Board of OC Jahorina, Mr. Nedeljko Elek pointed out to the media that great efforts have been made to make this summer season successful: “Today’s visit and support of all institutions we have is extremely important, but great success is in good organization and field work . With the results so far, Olympic Center Jahorina has shown that it is going in the right direction. We count on the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development as well as the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, and that together with new projects and plans we will further improve Jahorina as a destination when it comes to winter and summer tourism.

During the visit to the Olympic Center Jahorina, the hosts  together with Ms. Naessl and Minister Košarac visited the members of the “Down Syndrome” Center from Banja Luka, who arrived in Jahorina today, where they will make preparations for the opening of a camp for people with Down syndrome by September 14. As part of a joint project with OC Jahorina, reflexology, phytotherapy and music workshops will be organized. After visiting the members of the Down Syndrome Center, the so-called “Banja Luka six” who will, among other things, work as waiters in the restaurant of the “Vucko” Hotel. Mrs. Naessl and Mr. Košarac had the opportunity to enjoy the most attractive content on the mountain, alpine coaster. that leaves no one indifferent, which was the case with our guests today. This summer on Jahorina is historic in all aspects, according to the last report, we recorded almost 50,000 rides, which is an increase of more than 4 times compared to the previous year, which was the most successful in all parameters. We have also prepared an interesting event for the end of the summer together with our partner Molson Coors “Crazy promo weekend”, where all visitors will be able to enjoy summer contents with 30 % discount.