Mr. Johann Hesse, First Counsellor of the Delegation of the European Commission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Head of Operation section for Economic Reforms and Natural Resources visited the locations of the EU funded project "Posavina – Hunting and Fishing Paradise" on 5 December, 2008. The central event of the visit was held at Gradacac Fortress and was hosted by director of Posavina Canton Tourist Board Mr. Hajrudin Hadžidedić, President of Posavina Canton Mr. Mijo Matanović, Minister of trade, tourism and traffic of Tuzla Canton Mr. Zoran Milic, Mayor of Vukosavlje municipality Mr. Amir Zahirovic, Mayor of Domaljevac municipality Mr. Zeljko Josic, and other representatives of the municipalities involved in the Project.
The EU funded Project "Posavina – Hunting and Fishing Paradise" is based on tourism development needs and potentials in Posavina region, with aim for this region to become leading hunting and fishing tourist destination. The main activities designed to accomplish the set objectives are creation of Tourism product "Posavina – Hunting and Fishing Paradise", Tourist Product Promotion and attracting investments for further improvement of tourist potentials.
The Project has been designed through joint efforts of municipalities: Odžak, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Šamac, Vukosavlje, Orašje, Domaljevac, Modriča, Gradačac, as well as Tourist Association of Posavina Canton (the implementing agency), Government of Brcko District of BiH (the partner) and Independent Office for Development – NBR (technical assistance). «It is fascinating that the Project managed to bring together many people from different municipalities, cantons and entities, to work and cooperate on its implementation, which is not very often a case. Therefore, we wish you many tourists and lots of success in your future work», said Mr. Hesse. Members of the Association of Sport Fishermen “Hazna” from Gradačac awarded Mr. Hesse a token of appreciation for the assistance provided in promotion and development of sport fishing.
Mr. Hadžidedić pointed out that partners in the project were very unified in the tourist development of this region. «Tourism can be developed only as a destination, and Bosanska Posavina is a destination. We have to expand it, not only through hunting and fishing tourism, but also through other forms of selective tourism», concluded Mr. Hadžidedić.
«I am glad that the project has this title. Posavina is the paradise for hunting and fishing indeed. We will give our best to make our region and our Canton an interesting place to visit», emphasized Mr. Mijo Matanović.
About Project
The Project will have three stages, and besides respective municipalities, there are nine hunters and nine fishermen associations respectively involved in its implementation. To date more than 50% of planned activities have been implemented improving infrastructure and enhancing the contents of tourist offer, such as construction of hunters and fishermen houses and procurement of high quality game and fish species.
The project supported regional and local tourism development, improvement of regional/local tourism capacities and successful preparation for EU integration process.
Total value of the Project is 332,000.00 EUR of which the European Union allocated 295.480 Euro or 89% of the total project funds. The rest of 36,520.00 EUR is provided by other participants in the project.
