FBiH entity PM says Vucic promised Serbia will lift gunpowder export ban for BiH's largest ammunition manufacturer

In recent days, as stated by the Office of the FBiH Government, Niksic has been working intensively on resolving the issue of procuring raw materials necessary for the continuation of production at Igman, after the Republic of Serbia temporarily banned the export of gunpowder to all countries, thereby cutting off supplies to one of the key companies of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defense industry.

“I am aware of how much the production halt has affected the workers, as well as Igman’s partners. In recent days, we have held intensive talks in the region and beyond, including with companies from the Czech Republic and Turkey, examined the quality of gunpowder at Vitezit, and sought alternative solutions. Today, in a direct conversation with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, I received a promise that the gunpowder export blockade for Bosnia and Herzegovina will be lifted within the next 48 hours. Today’s guarantees mean that the supply of raw materials can resume as soon as possible, enabling Igman to maintain stable production, preserve jobs, and fulfill contractual obligations to domestic and international partners. I especially thank President Vucic for his understanding and emphasize that we agreed it is in the common interest of our regional economies that workers in the region perform their jobs without obstruction,” Niksic said.

He added that the Government of the Federation of BiH remains committed to strengthening the defense industry as one of the strategic sectors of the economy and that the management boards of companies in this industrial branch will in the coming period work on stabilizing supplies, with the aim of preventing possible production stoppages in the future, the Office of the FBiH Government for Public Relations announced.