The government of the Zenica-Doboj Canton achieved significant results in the past year, while the results in the two years of the mandate confirm the stable, responsible and development management of the Canton, said the Prime Minister of the ZDK Nezir Pivić at the annual press conference.
– The two years of mandate that are behind us show that we are fully implementing the strategic guidelines and program priorities we have set. The result of that today is better security, higher quality education, a stronger economy and an improved health system – emphasized Pivić.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the achieved results are the result of teamwork and unity within the Government.
– We are a team and we act as a team. From the first day of work of the ZDK Government, we have had excellent mutual communication and cooperation, and we have fulfilled all financial obligations properly and on time – said Pivić.
A special focus during the year was on the area of security. The budget of the Ministry of Internal Affairs amounted to 91.2 million KM, which is an increase of 18 million KM compared to the previous year. Police officers were equipped with new uniforms, modernized weapons and armored vehicles, and ZDK became the first canton in BiH to acquire a helicopter.
– The helicopter will serve Civil Protection, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the health sector, thereby further strengthening the readiness of institutions in crisis situations – emphasized the Prime Minister.
During the year, the process of strengthening the personnel of the police continued, with the recruitment of new officers and a competition for the admission of another 195 police officers and junior inspectors.
Health was one of the key priorities of the Government. Energy efficiency projects were launched in the Zenica Cantonal Hospital, the construction of a new hospital worth around 500 million KM was started, and funds were allocated for the education of doctors.
More than 20 million KM was invested in the field of education, sports and student standards.
– For the second year in a row, we provided free textbooks for all primary school students and invested significantly in schools, scholarships and sports – emphasized the Prime Minister.
A total of 2,880 scholarships were awarded, while about five million KM was set aside for student accommodation and standards. A total of 5.15 million KM was allocated for sports.
When it comes to the economy, ZDK records extremely positive economic indicators. According to Prime Minister Pivić, the value of the ongoing investments exceeds one billion convertible marks, and their full effect is yet to be felt.
ZDK achieved import-export coverage of 106.7 percent, industrial production index of 109.9, and growth in the number of foreign tourists of 38.3 percent. The economy was additionally supported through more than 12 million KM incentives, while a record budget of 6.59 million KM was realized in agriculture.
In the area of environmental protection, a Register of home fireplaces was prepared, as a basis for the project of their replacement with the co-financing of citizens.
Social policy remained the focus of the Government’s work. 49 million KM was set aside for maternity benefits, while more than 34,500 pensioners received a one-time benefit of 100 KM for the first time, as well as more than 11,000 demobilized soldiers. More than 22.8 million KM was provided for the care of the defense population.
Concluding his address, Pivić emphasized that the ZDK Government remains focused on working in the interest of citizens.
– We are doing business for the future. We do not look back at the obstacles that mostly come from other levels of government, but we find ways to be useful to the citizens and to do the best we can – stressed Prime Minister Nezir Pivić.
