The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Željko Budimir, stated that the goal is to initiate and implement projects in the field of science, and that the scientific research potential will be the focus of the work of the Science and Technology Park of Srpska.

Before the conference "Science and Technology Park – The Main Driver of the Innovative Ecosystem Development in the Republic of Srpska," the Minister highlighted that the Science and Technology Park is a driving force that will assist new generations in developing high technology.

"We expect the team leading the Science and Technology Park and the Ministry's team to work diligently and to complete what we have planned for this year, which is the institutional and personnel strengthening, and hopefully the start of construction of the park building," said Minister Budimir.

He emphasised that Srpska has the capacity to start projects, as represented by the Science and Technology Park. Minister Budimir thanked the Serbian ministry for its support to Srpska and expressed hope that cooperation will be further expanded in the future.

The Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of Serbian, Jelena Begović, explained that the innovation ecosystem is the bearer of economic and social development. She reminded that Serbia has four science and technology parks and that new ones are being built.

"We have experience, we want to share it, and we want to help you avoid some of the mistakes we made, to shorten your path, give talented young people a chance, and allow knowledge to create an economy, which is the economy of the future," said Minister Begović.

She stated that the governments of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska support scientific communities that may be small but have many intelligent people.

The Director of the Science and Technology Park of the Republic of Srpska, Nikola Dragović, said that today's conference will present not only the activities and plans of the Science and Technology Park but also the knowledge and experiences from Serbia.

"We will hear concrete experiences and how the Innovation Fund of Serbia helps entities in the innovation ecosystem to further improve and perfect the commercialisation of their innovations," said the Director of the Science and Technology Park of the Republic of Srpska, Nikola Dragović.

The Director of the Science and Technology Park Belgrade, Gordana Grković Danilović, emphasised that science and technology parks have much to offer young people and innovative companies in the process of creating an innovation system. Serbia, as she says, knows how important it is to have and create an innovation ecosystem and how crucial the support of the relevant ministry is.

"We see that you have a lot of support here. We know how much a country can change and accelerate technological development through the establishment and development of science and technology parks and the adoption of the Law on Innovation Activities," said Danilović, wishing Srpska much success in this field.

Last year, the Government of the Republic of Srpska adopted the Information on the establishment of the first Science and Technology Park in Srpska, aimed at accelerating technological development in line with good examples of international practice. The Science and Technology Park of Srpska aims to attract innovative, technology-development companies, both domestic and foreign, and create conditions for the development of a knowledge-based economy, the commercialisation of innovations arising from research and development, and thus boost the development and export of products and services.

A total of 19 million euros will be invested in the Science and Technology Park for construction, equipment, and other expenses. The founders of the Science and Technology Park of Srpska are the Government of the Republic of Srpska and the University of Banja Luka.

The establishment and capacity building of the Science and Technology Park of the Republic of Srpska are supported through a project by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, funded by the Italian Fund for Innovative Projects and the Development Bank of the Council of Europe.