August 11 (SeeNews) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on Tuesday it is considering providing a loan of up to 25 million euro ($35.4 million) for upgrades at the Sarajevo International Airport (SIA).
"The loan will finance an extension of the passenger terminal, together with upgrading and expanding the taxiway and apron. The investments are required to meet the growing passenger traffic at the international airport. In addition, measures to enhance the participation of the private sector in the operations of SIA will be introduced," the EBRD said in a statement.
The total cost of the project is 31.9 million euro.
The lender said it has a long-standing relationship with the Sarajevo airport and has contributed to the creation of SIA as a limited liability company owned by the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"As part of the current project, the Bank will support measures that increase the participation of the private sector in the airport’s operations through the outsourcing of selected activities to private companies. In addition, the Bank will assist SIA in increasing the share of non-aviation revenues such as duty free areas, catering, business lounges and car parking. Finally, the project will include support for the EU’s Open Skies Policy," the statement said.
SIA is an airport operator responsible for the management of the Sarajevo International Airport, the main airport in Bosnia. It has a maximum passenger capacity of 800,000 to one million per year.
($=0.7072 euro)