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
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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
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