The Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Srpska, Zlatan Klokić, and Minister without portfolio in the Government of Serbia in charge of international economic cooperation, Nenad Popović, discussed economic potential of Podrinje today in Banja Luka, and stated that it was a resource that might be of great importance for both Srpska and Serbia.
Klokić said that the Podrinje project was a great development opportunity for municipalities and cities on both sides of the Drina, due to its covering 31 local self-governments.
'We spoke about how Srpska and Serbia could act together internationally in the field of economy. We also discussed the possibility of establishing IT hubs in the Republic of Srpska through IT companies operating in Serbia,' Klokić told reporters after the meeting.
Popović noted the existence of huge potential for cooperation between the governments of Srpska and Serbia, as well as international cooperation in third markets.
'Public and private companies of Serbia and Srpska can act jointly in the region, but also on the comprehensive Russian and former Soviet Union markets, which include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus and Azerbaijan. Those are growing markets,' said Popović.
He added that they had also discussed the potential of the markets of the Middle East, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, which would be expanding in the coming 30-40 years.
'I am certain that by acting together we can always bring good to both Serbia and the Republic of Srpska,' says Popović.
He stated that engineers were one of the main resources, noting that Banja Luka was renowned for excellent mechanical and electrical engineers.
'I am certain that with new scientific potential and technological challenges, Banja Luka can be the new IT hub of the Balkans, like Belgrade. The opening of start-up centers, which are more than 25 in Serbia, would be a new opportunity for Srpska cities where young engineers would have the opportunity to show their potential, and the governments of Srpska and Serbia would support them to open their start-up companies there,' said Popović.