IFC Helps Bosnian Producer of Construction Materials Implement Environmental and Safety Standards
In Washington, DC:
Thoko Moyo
Phone: +1 (202) 458-8517
E-mail: tmoyo@ifc.org
In Sarajevo:
Selma Rasavac
Phone: +387 33 251 555
E-mail: srasavac@ifc.org
In Belgrade:
Slobodan Brkic
Phone: +381 11 3023 750
E-mail: sbrkic@ifc.org
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, July
24, 2007 — IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, helps
BBM Amfibolit implement IS0 14001 (environmental management) and OHSAS
18001 (occupational health and safety) international standards. This will
help the company, a private construction materials producer based in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, improve its competitiveness and increase its exports in
regional and international markets.
BBM Amfibolit is one of the region’s largest producers of crushed stone,
mainly for road construction. It also exports to Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia,
and Slovenia. Its products are used in road and railway constructions,
production of mineral insulation materials, and high-quality concrete.
“The relationship with our customers is based on the high quality of our
products, reliable capacities, and meeting delivery deadlines. That is
why IFC’s assistance in getting the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards
is important to us. It will help expand our reach in Europe and improve
our position in the region,” said Rasim Operta, Director of BBM Amfibolit.
In Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia,
companies face steep challenges in meeting most international standards
and technical requirements of the European Union, which must be satisfied
if their products are to be exported and if these companies are to be recognized
as a part of the global economy. To help, IFC is implementing an international
standards and technical regulations program in the region, which is supported
by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Slovenian Ministry
of Economy.
“A lack of understanding about the nature and scope of regulatory barriers,
and the resources to meet requirements, are perceived by companies in this
region as non-tariff barriers to reaching new markets. By helping them
attain international standards, we hope to increase their exports and competitiveness
in local and international markets,” said Ivana Curic, Regional Program
Manager.
“The motto of BBM Amfibolit is: quality leads to quantity. We want to
be recognized as a reliable supplier of quality construction materials.
With the introduction of key international standards, we have made another
step in this direction,” said Operta.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, fosters sustainable economic growth
in developing countries by financing private sector investment, mobilizing
capital in the international financial markets, and providing advisory
services to businesses and governments. IFC’s vision is that poor people
have the opportunity to escape poverty and improve their lives. In FY06,
IFC committed $8.3 billion, including syndications, to 284 investments
in 66 developing countries. For more information, please visit www.ifc.org.
IFC is helping companies in transition economies of Southern Europe introduce
international standards and technical regulations to support development
of the private sector in the region. By implementing these standards, companies
are overcoming technical barriers in international commerce caused by differences
among regulations and standards developed independently by each nation.
To learn more about IFC advisory services programs in Southern Europe,
please visit www.ifc.org/pepse.
About BBM Amfibolit
BBM Amfibolit is one of the major representatives of Germany’s BBM Group.
BBM Amfibolit is a private company whose core business is production of
construction materials. The company has a 40-year concession to develop
the Vareš stone query in Bosnia and Herzegovina. BBM Amfibolit employs
136 people. For more information, please visit www.operta-bbm.ba/amfibolit/index.htm.
|
