Agriculture, Healthcare, Infrastructure and Education – Government Projects Continue in Semberija: Main Goal – Keeping Young People in the Region

Young farmers in Bijeljina were handed the keys to 49 “Belarus” tractors as part of an incentive programme of the Government of Republika Srpska. The keys were presented by Prime Minister Savo Minić, who also visited Bijeljina Hospital and announced the expansion of its capacities. Important projects for Bijeljina were discussed by representatives of the Government and Mayor Ljubiša Petrović. After visiting the “Elvako MetPro” company, the Prime Minister said that businesses could count on the support of the institutions.

“Republika Srpska and the village of Republika Srpska – my place to live” is a government programme for young families in rural areas, under which 86 “Belarus” tractors were purchased. In Bijeljina, the keys were handed over to 49 beneficiaries.

“I am 23 years old and I have started working in agriculture. I would like to thank the Ministry for listening to us young farmers. This means a lot to us,” said Veljko Ćeremidžić from Pale.

Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Savo Minić added that more than 23 families with three or more children are among the beneficiaries.

“These are our young people who want to stay in Republika Srpska. This is a special project in which the Government participates with 60 percent of the funding, while our farmers contribute the remaining 40 percent,” he said.

Young people are the future of Republika Srpska, and it is necessary to provide them with the best possible living conditions, including quality healthcare and social protection. Bijeljina Hospital will soon expand its capacities through the construction of a new annex. Investments in medical equipment are also continuing.

“Today we opened a CT scanner that is among the more modern technologies and, in addition to conventional imaging, offers more advanced CT capabilities, as well as additional software based on artificial intelligence,” said Mikajlo Lazić, director of the “Sveti Vračevi” Public Hospital in Bijeljina.

Minister of Health and Social Protection Alen Šeranić said that since the hospital opened in 2007, the number of examinations has increased by 75 percent, from 14,000 to 25,000 services, while the number of surgeries has also increased by 75 percent.

The meeting was initially intended to address the water supply issue in the southern part of Semberija. However, Mayor Ljubiša Petrović arrived at the meeting with the Prime Minister and local residents carrying a large amount of documentation, which still needs to be assessed to determine whether it is adequate for resolving the problems faced by residents of eight villages, and attempted to turn the gathering into a political rally.

“That is why it is necessary to reconstruct the pipeline network from Ljeskovac to the new settlement of Janja, replace asbestos pipes that are more than 50 years old, and install pipes of a larger diameter to increase the flow,” Petrović said.

Minić responded that the Government of Republika Srpska wants to resolve this problem.

“If I receive, and I will request this within seven days, confirmation from a certified company that this is a valid project, the Government of Republika Srpska will make a decision at its first session and approve 6.5 million KM,” he said.

The company “Elvako MetPro” generates 90 percent of its business through exports, according to owner Slaven Ristić. The system employs around 1,000 people, with additional hiring planned in the coming period.

“We are currently building a new company facility where we plan to relocate the company, providing both workers and engineers with better working conditions, while continuing to expand our market,” Ristić said.

Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Savo Minić added that he was pleased that a nine-hectare plot had been secured, where the relocation and consolidation of machinery and workers is planned, along with the integration of another production process with TRB and the employment of an even larger number of people.

The Prime Minister concluded his visit to Semberija with a message: because of the young people who have decided to stay here and work, government support must be stronger.