Thanks to the funds from the loan, Bosnia is expected to take over the control over its air space until early 2009.
Since the end of the war in 1995, the control of the intermediate air space in Bosnia has been carried out by the air control in Zagreb, while the control of higher air space is divided between Zagreb and Belgrade.
The EBRD loan, signed in Sarajevo by Bosnian Finance Minister Ljerka Maric and the EBRD Director for the Western Balkans Claudio Viezzoli, will be used for the training of 54 air traffic controllers and for purchasing necessary equipment.
In addition, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) will help the Bosnian authorities in this project by providing consulting services worth 500,000 euros. The assistance, also worth 500,000 euros, will be allocated by the European Commission, while the U.S. Trade and Development Agency will assist with 300,000 euros.