The office of the Science and Technology Park of the Republic of Srpska was officially opened today in Banja Luka in the presence of the Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of Srpska, Željko Budimir.

The opening of the office at the Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy of the University of Banja Luka was attended by Rector Radoslav Gajanin and the Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of Serbia, Jelena Begović.

Minister Željko Budimir emphasised that this is finally the meeting point between the academic community and industry, and that the project of constructing the building where the park will be located should begin soon. He also mentioned that funds have been applied for from the Saudi Fund for Development.

"I hope that this day marks the history of a new scientific community in the Republic of Srpska, which, together with the Serbian academic and scientific community, should achieve what we have long awaited, the Science and Technology Park of Srpska. This park should become the engine of technological development, technology transfer, and the integration of all high technologies in which the Republic of Srpska should participate in the 21st century," said the Minister.

According to him, the Science and Technology Park is created according to the needs of the Republic of Srpska, and he assessed that the best should have the opportunity to start their businesses and contribute to the scientific research work of Srpska.

Minister Budimir stressed that every year there is consideration for additional investments in the science sector and added that certain projects were realised over the past year.

"In the upcoming period, we will invest heavily in joint projects with Serbia," Budimir announced.

The Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of Serbia, Jelena Begović, believes that the Science and Technology Park of the Republic of Srpska is a great opportunity for young people.

"For young, brave, smart, and educated people who should bear the burden, but also the beautiful things for the future. To develop innovations, provide solutions for challenges that are local but also global thanks to their knowledge and education, and their courage, and we should support them," said the Minister.

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 this park will represent a place where numerous innovations in Srpska will be successfully commercialised. He expressed his wish for science and technology parks to be established in all parts of Srpska in the future.

The director stated that the total investment value is around 19 million euros. The Science and Technology Park will cover an area of 8,200 square metres.

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 the Republic 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. 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.