Discussion about measures for alleviation of the economic crisis
On 25th February 2009 Minister of economy, Mustafa Kurtovic hosted a meeting for representatives of German EUFOR LOT Team stationed in Gorazde.
In the meeting in which participants were to sum up the earlier results discussion was mainly focused on the consequences of the economic crisis. Minister Kurtovic emphasized that, according to the statistics of the Cantonal Employment Office, there were 175 workers who lost their jobs in the last three months. The Minister also emphasized that the current situation is best reflected in the fact that the purchasing power was decreased for 30 per cent.
All parties agreed that one of potential measures for overcoming the current crisis would be in providing better conditions for the development of rural areas and the Minister emphasized that this area also has very good chances to benefit from the funds allocated for cross border cooperation.
In the opinion of Colonel, Bernd Biertumpel the practice of providing funds from the pre-access funds of the European Union for concrete purposes and stronger development should be followed in this situation of economic crisis. Since the representatives of the LOT Team also showed interest in hearing about the issue of construction of hydro-electric power plants, the Minister once more emphasized that the citizens and Municipal Councils of the municipalities of Foca-Ustikolina and Gorazde should have their say before it happens.