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SARAJEVO, February 5 (FENA) - Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH and Minister of Finance and Treasury Vjekoslav Bevanda and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Director for Central and Southeastern Europe Charlotte Ruhe signed two public transport financing agreements in Sarajevo today.
Bevanda and Ruhe signed a loan agreement for the Sarajevo Public Transport Project 1 - procurement of trolleybuses and spare parts and a loan agreement for the Sarajevo Public Transport Project 2 - reconstruction of the tram tacks.
According to Minister Bevanda, the two agreements will improve urban transportation in Sarajevo, and contribute to environmental protection and reduction of air pollution.
The first contract worth EUR 15 million relates to the procurement of trolleybuses and spare parts, and part of the funds is planned for consultancy services during the implementation of this project.
The second agreement will provide EUR 20 million for the rehabilitation of 19.5 kilometers of the Sarajevo tram tracks, which also plays a significant role in protecting the environment and reducing the use of buses, Bevanda noted.
The agreement represents the second phase of improving public transport in the canton, and a third phase is planned, which involves the procurement of trams.
"Both loans are allocated to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Sarajevo Canton, respectively, and the terms of the loan are very favorable with a repayment period of 15 years, including a grace period of two and three years on repayment of the principal," Bevanda explained.
The procurement project for the trolleybuses should be completed by December 2021 and the reconstruction of the tram tracks by December 2022.
According to Ruhe, air pollution in Sarajevo is the biggest challenge in terms of environmental protection, while cleaner and greener, or more environmentally friendly transportation is one of the key ways to improve air quality.
“The two projects we have signed today are not just investments in efficient and quality public transport in Sarajevo. Their implementation will also lead to a 30 percent reduction in CO2 emissions, aiming to solve the burning problem of air pollution in the BiH capital,” said Ruhe.
She noted that it would also contribute to achieving savings in electricity consumption.
"We are counting on the new government of the Sarajevo Canton to implement these two important projects, as well as the reforms that need to be implemented at GRAS to make this an efficient and stable public transportation company," Ruhe said.
These projects are part of the development of the Green City Action Plan for Sarajevo, funded by the Japanese Government.
Today's signing ceremony was attended by Japanese Ambassador to BiH Hideyuki Sakamoto and representatives of the Sarajevo Canton.
(FENA) S. R.
