The Minister of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development Božidar Kalmeta opened today on the Island of Iž the reconstructed berth ‘Bršanj’ and as well as the upgraded passenger berth ‘Komoševa’ in the total value of HRK 7.25 million which the Ministry co-financed with HRK 3.86 million.
Kalmeta pointed out that in the year 2006, the State would invest another HRK 1 billion into the development of islands and that during this Government's term of office 60 ferry berths and small ports would be reconstructed. He also announced that in the year 2007 there would be no more islands within the County of Zadar without a ferry berth.
Other operations, which are currently ongoing, include the enlarging of the sea passage ‘Mali Ždrelac’ as well as the introduction of night ferry lines towards larger islands.
The prefect of the Zadar County, Ivo Grbić, informed those present that the construction activities related to the berth on the Island of Olib would soon be finalized. He also talked about the fact that last year his county had registered the transport of 2.4 million passengers and 406 thousand vehicles which is a 10% increase as compared to the year 2004.
The mayor of Zadar, Živko Kolega, pointed out that all those measures would help to prevent the further depopulation of islands.