The construction of the highway at the Adriatic-Ionian corridor would certainly give further impetus to the insufficiently employed construction sector in B&H, stated the Secretary of the Association of Construction and Construction Materials Industry of the Foreign Trade Chamber of B&H Dzemal Kalajdzisalihovic.
The section of the highway of the Adriatic-Ionian corridor through B&H was marked in the public as one of the priorities for the transportation connection of B&H with the region and broader, and it is in the level with the highway at the corridor 5C according to importance.
“It is unrealistic to speak about to which degree would that contribute to the increase of activity of the construction sector in B&H, because that will depend on a series of factors; primarily, where will the route of that highway go and whether it will significantly go through the territory of B&H, then what will be the length of the route through B&H, as well as will the BH constructors at this project have the strength to be in charge of the work, or they will be just sub-contractors at certain sections”, said Kalajdzisalihovic.
It is certain that B&H has interest in this highway which goes through B&H with its larger part but, as Kalajdzisalihovic added, reality is something else.
“It will primarily depend on the solution of the problem related to the construction of the Peljesac Bridge. Secondly, strategic interests of B&H and the Republic of Croatia must be considered as well. It must be born in mind that B&H has a strategic interest to connect the corridor 5C with the Adriatic-Ionian highway, at its most southern point if possible. On the other side, the strategic interest of the Republic of Croatia is that this highway passes as much to the North as possible, i.e. as close to Mostar as possible”, Kalajdzisalihovic considers.
It remains to be seen how these strategic issues will be resolved.
Kalajdzisalihovic added that the probable route of the Adriatic-Ionic highway through B&H will mostly depend on these solutions, as well as its influence on the increase of the activity of construction sector in B&H in the period of its construction.
“So far, some preliminary studies have been conducted about the possible route of the Adriatic-Ionian highway through B&H, but the Chamber had not participated in their consideration and elaboration yet. Although the Foreign Trade Chamber of B&H has significant cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Transportation of B&H, until now we have not been cooperating regarding the issues of the Adriatic-Ionian highway through B&H”, said Kalajdzisalihovic.
(Source: akta.ba/ photo slobodna bosna)