The project “REPRO” in Prijedor presented today its main objectives, planned activities and expected results. Given the Covid-19 pandemic and the negative impact it has on all BIH industries, including the wood industry, the “REPRO” project is of particular importance, both for the preservation of existing jobs and for the development of export-oriented businesses. The project plans to achieve this by introducing new technologies, through functional clustering of business in the wood-processing sector and by increasing the level of cooperation and improving services to members and other wood processing companies.
“Local partners and beneficiaries of the „REPRO“ project in Prijedor have joined forces to help small and medium enterprises in wood processing and furniture production to increase their chances for export and growth by applying innovations and new technologies. The current crisis is an opportunity to review priorities and help SMEs improve their information and communication technology skills and access to digital supply chains and e-business networks and standards. This should result in the retention and creation of new high-quality jobs in local economic development.”, said Richard Máša, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We want to strengthen the competitiveness of the wood processing sector in the Prijedor area through innovative approaches and by improving business cooperation and networking. To catalyze positive changes in the wood processing sector, the project introduces new technologies and information and communication technology tools to the targeted companies. Activities focus on strengthening the capacity of target companies and the business association “DRVO cluster Prijedor”. The intention of the project is to accelerate the development and growth of export-oriented companies for wood processing and furniture production.“, said Branislav Vujasin, project manager at the Agency for Economic Development of the city of Prijedor „PREDA-PD“.
The total value of this project is slightly more than 374,000 KM, of which the European Union through EU4Business provided grants in the amount of 229,000 KM. The REPRO project is implemented by the Agency for Economic Development of Prijedor “PREDA-PD”, in partnership with the Cluster „DRVO-PD“ and the company Gavranović d.o.o. Prijedor.
EU4Business is the European Union’s project aiming to strengthen Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capacity for economic growth and employment by fostering competitiveness and innovation in selected sectors. EU4Business is worth EUR 16.1, out of which 15 million funded by the European Union and the EUR 1.1 million funded by the Federal Republic of Germany. The project is jointly implemented by GIZ, UNDP and ILO, from April 2018 to March 2022. EU4Business is part of the Local Self-Government and Economic Development Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina supported by the German Government. For more information, please visit: www.eu4business.ba.
