VIDOVIĆ: ONE-OFF AID FOR PENSIONERS TO BE PAID BY END OF AUGUST

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 19 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Finance Minister Zora Vidović announced today that one-off assistance for pensioners in Republika Srpska will be paid by the end of August, adding that the possibility of securing additional funds in the coming period is also being considered. "We are conducting analyses, and I believe we will manage to secure something," Vidović said, adding that the increased pensions will be paid in September. She reminded that Republika Srpska had also increased benefits for war veterans, with a further increase planned for next year. Vidović pointed out that Republika Srpska had launched its largest investment cycle to date this year, with around 59 cities and municipalities in Srpska receiving funding. She said that capital investment in the infrastructure of cities and municipalities amounted to around BAM 215 million, and that BAM 500 million had been allocated for projects of national importance, the majority of which were in the healthcare sector. "Around BAM 200 million has been allocated for healthcare and around BAM 80 million for education. In addition, we have many more projects," Vidović told RTRS. She said that the investment cycle, worth a total of BAM 7.4 billion, is expected to be completed over the next three years. "This is the largest investment cycle in Republika Srpska to date, amounting to 37 percent of the gross domestic product expected to be generated this year," Vidović told RTRS. She said that BAM 400 million is being invested in road rehabilitation, while around BAM 1.8 billion is being invested in motorways. "All sections from Doboj to Rača have been contracted, and work is about to begin. The Banja Luka–Mrkonjić Grad motorway will also be built," Vidović said. According to her, a major investment cycle is also underway in Republika Srpska's power sector and gas infrastructure, with total investment in energy amounting to around BAM 3.5 billion. Vidović stressed that the Republika Srpska budget has been meeting all its obligations on time for years and that Republika Srpska has gained recognition for this record. "This investment cycle shows that Republika Srpska is extremely financially stable, because few countries can secure an investment cycle of this scale," Vidović said, adding that a much larger number of foreign investors is also expected. Speaking about Republika Srpska's B stable credit rating, Vidović said that this was a major step forward, as it means that obligations can be met on time. Regarding RTRS, Vidović stressed that Republika Srpska would not allow RTRS, as its symbol, to run into difficulties and leave its employees without salaries. /end/ša/ljlj/sg