INTERVIEW: AMER KAPO, ACTING DIRECTOR OF SKENDERIJA
Interviewed by Ines Sandzaktarevic
SARAJEVO, May 29 (ONASA) – Acting Director of Skenderija Amer Kapo in an interview for the Agency ONASA spoke about return of young and athletes to the Center Skenderija, plans for future cooperation, possibilities of business incubators, renovation of plateau of spectators…
ONASA: As one of the priorities you have highlighted filling empty office space in the business center. How far have you reached in this regard?
KAPO: We have adjusted conditions to the current market, we have divided our offices into three zones depending on their location in the commercial center. In this way we have set up three different prices of tenure. The effect of this categorization can already be observed because we in the last three months have leased several offices specifically intended for the young population.
ONASA: When it comes to the return of young people to Skenderija, you have stated one interesting idea – building a ‘business incubator’. Can you explain it?
KAPO: Our first step towards this is to offer young people that with a minimum price and the lease and with paying their utility bills they start a business on the premises of Skenderija, which is located on the best location in the city. The next step will be to raise funds for equipping and putting into operation a business incubator. Our desire and the idea is that young people in the common area develop their businesses and that they can present them in the sales part of the business incubator. Currently we do not have the means to do this immediately, but we will go gradually towards this goal and complete realization of the idea.
ONASA: In the context of the preceding questions is the fact and assessment of many that the Youth Center is an under-utilized space. What are the plans of the administration for this part of Skenderija?
KAPO: Youth Center is currently working on the principle of tenure, which is, in my opinion, a great pity because I think this is the best place for young people in the city. We have already invested some funds for additional regulation of the rest of interior so that the Youth Center opens its doors, with new and own programs, next autumn.
ONASA: Will soon renovation of the announced Skenderija plateau begin?
KAPO: In case that there is no obstacle to an administrative nature, very soon we can expect the start of renovation of the plateau of Skenderija and completion by the end of the year.
ONASA: Skenderija is used to be known and recognized in the former Yugoslavia for its large trade fairs. How to return to Skenderij the old fair glow?
KAPO: Fairs were once great brand of Skenderija. I have already presented on one of the recent presentations that in the future will be organized six to eight fairs in our area. Some of them are already well-known to the citizens, such as the Book Fair, fairs of economy, tourism, health and others. I believe that with the high quality work we can really return to Skenderija an old and widely known fair glow.
ONASA: How do you see the existence of the art collection of the Ars Aevi, which is currently located in the Youth Center, as well as to be sports section – running of the training processes, and appearances of the basketball club Bosna, like the other clubs and sports in KSCS?
KAPO: Ars Aevi collection is a major project for the city, which, unfortunately, is not used at maximum capacity and we hope that this will soon change. Be sure that we are ready to help in this field. All I can say at this point is that the current situation is such that most of the cost of rental space of Ars Aevi is covered by Skenderija Center, and the only one that respects the obligations under this lease is the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Canton of Sarajevo, which co-funds arrangement of settings of Ars Aevi in the Youth Center.
On the other hand, with the clubs we have very good cooperation, and we are extremely happy that we can say that our indoor capacity is full. I believe that the clubs performing the training and competition processes are also satisfied.
ONASA: Can we call your recently signed contract on the use of large sports hall “Mirza Delibasic” with handball and basketball national teams of Bosnia and Herzegovina a real return of premium sports to the halls of Skenderija?
KAPO: When I took over the responsibility of Acting Director, we did a gap analysis, and this was one of them. Currently four sports club of former five play their matches in Skenderija. Until recent, we could only dream that BiH young team in basketball could win the European Championship, but it happened. It is important to play in halls of KSCS, no matter what kind of results they achieve.
ONASA: According to the news in the media, to May 16 there were open bids for the former restaurant Borsalino, the Green restaurant (two also cult places of gathering of Sarajevans), as well as the area where Drvopromet stood. Gave you got favorable offers and will, perhaps, a new owner convert these premises?
KAPO: Frankly, we are not satisfied with the results of the auction because for some premises an offer ha come while for some other offices it has not even though they are in my opinion a lot more attractive. For these reasons, we will work to promote these offices and their possibilities. I might add that only after end of the auction contacted those interested so it is very possible that at the end these offices will be leased. The purpose would certainly be in line with market needs.
ONASA: Recently in the media you have presented a very interesting idea. In fact, you believe that the best way to increase visits to the commercial center would be the opening of a large supermarket like Konzum, FIS Vitez or Bingo. Will it be possible to implement?
KAPO: This supermarket would be something that would certainly solve the problem of the commercial center and its visits as in the center we do not have large supermarkets with consumer goods. This would increase the number of visits to Skenderija, of which would benefit the current tenants. I repeat, I am convinced that this supermarket would have a great business success at such a location.
ONASA: How much is the financial situation at Skenderija changed today, given that the 2014 business year ended with a minus of 344,335 BAM?
KAPO: Unfortunately, the previous 2015 year ended with another major minus and that is a big indicator that revenues decreased steadily. One of our main tasks is a stabilization of income and its increase in the coming period and work on new ideas and projects, as well as the re-branding of existing projects and activities.
ONASA: Do you plan the reconstruction of the Ice Hall and what is the amount of funds required to achieve it? If you do not find investors, will you look for other sources of funding?
KAPO: Reconstruction of the Ice Hall requires considerable financial resources which unfortunately Skenderija does not have. One solution is a loan, but before that it is important to make a very detailed analysis, because the credit is to be repaid from the revenues KSCS currently does not realize. Just new projects that we are planning in the period ahead of us, can solve this problem. (end)