The results of the EU funded project of support to capacity building of the Development Agency of the Una-Sana Canton were presented at its final conference held in Bihać on 29 January.
Project’s objective was to speed up the process of regional development and create an adequate business environment in the North West BiH. The European Union financed it through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA 2008) in the amount of 202.000 EUR, with matching funds provided by the local authorities thus bringing the total project value to approximately 400.000 EUR.
Martin Schieder, Head of Operations for Economic Development, Natural Resources and Infrastructure at the EU Delegation to BiH said in his welcome remarks: „Over the past years, the EU has been supporting local and regional economic development through provision of some 20 million EUR of assistance. Local communities play an important role when it comes to the European integration process. Therefore I welcome all the efforts put in place to enhance the capacity of administrations as good governance is key to attracting inward investments.”
Haris Komić, Director of the Development Agency of the Una-Sana Canton, also presented the Development Strategy of the Una-Sana Canton for 2015-2020, developed under the project with the technical support of the UNDP under their Integrated Local Development Programme.
„I would like to thank the EU for their support and hereby emphasise that the EU recognises the importance of regional development and clearly show it,” Komić stated.
The EU’s specific assistance to the economic and business environment development of Una Sana Canton has involved the provision of approximately 1.5 million EUR in support of strengthening the capacities of cantonal development agency, development of the National Park Una, cross-border cooperation projects and business innovation and support measures.
