The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is
supporting improvements to the wastewater network in the Croatian city
of Sisak and neighbouring municipalities with a €9.2 million loan.
The
funds will be provided to Sisački vodovod, the local water supply and
wastewater company, for the financing of the construction of a new
wastewater treatment plant and upgrades and extensions to the municipal
wastewater network.
Sisak is located south-east of the capital Zagreb
and has a population of around 47,000. It used to be a leading
industrial city known for its steel production, among other things. In
March 2013 the EBRD provided a €20 million loan for the restructuring
and modernisation of the famous Sisak Ironworks.
The EBRD has also
worked with the municipality in the past, financing the acquisition of
new buses and providing a first loan for upgrades of the wastewater
network. Further development of both water supply and wastewater
collection and treatment services, which will help preserve the city’s
three rivers Kupa, Sava and Odra, is a clear priority for the City of
Sisak.
Vedrana Jelušić Kašić, EBRD Director for Croatia, said: “We
are pleased to sign this loan agreement with Sisak Water Company as it
underlines our commitment to this important Croatian city. Decent water
supplies and well-functioning sewage disposal are preconditions for the
sound development of any municipality. In our strategy for Croatia we
emphasise our readiness to work with the authorities and the European
Union to modernise the country’s infrastructure.”
Kristina Ikić
Baniček, the Mayor of Sisak, added: “I am pleased that we managed to
secure EBRD financing, especially funding for the project design and
extension of the wastewater collection network in more remote areas of
our municipality, such as Pogorelec, Galdovo Kaptolska and parts of
Zeleni brijeg.”
The EBRD has been active in Croatia as an investor
since the country’s independence and has invested some €3.2 billion in
more than 170 projects to date. The Bank’s activities cover all areas of
the economy but are especially strong in the infrastructure, corporate,
financial institutions and energy sectors.
(balkans.com)