Privredni izveštaj / Economic Report - ANDRO VLAHUŠIĆ
Gradonačelnik Dubrovnika / Mayor of Dubrovnik
Prvi čovek jedne od najatraktivnijih svetskih turističkih destinacija bio je i ministar zdravlja i upravnik bolnice, a trenutnu funkciju vidi kao izazov. Svoj posao smatra odgovornim, ne tako teškim, trudi se da radom doprinese boljem životu sugrađana i brojnih gostiju, gleda isključivo napred, a najveći doprinos rodnom gradu dao je na polju obrazovanja. U vrtiće su uvedeni specijalni programi, škole imaju asistente u nastavi, a studentima je omogućen beskamatni kredit za školovanje na poznatim svetskim univerzitetima. Koliko uživa u poslu, uživa i u mirisu grada, a drage goste bi poveo skalinama u šetnju Stradunom i gradskim zidinama da vide ovaj „srednjovekovni grad u moderno vreme“.
S obzirom na Vašu bogatu profesionalnu političku karijeru, reklo bi se da ste od studentskih dana na nekoj od važnih funkcija. Koja Vam je bila najdraža i na koju biste se ponovo vratili?
Jedna od najdražih funkcija je sigurno trenutna funkcija gradonačelnika, a druga koja mi je draga je funkcija upravnika Opće bolnice u Dubrovniku. Svako vreme nosi svoje, u svakom poslu koji sam radio sam na neki način i uživao, jer se poslu posvećujem s puno energije. Raduju me novi izazovi, posebno kada ih uspešno savladam i kada se rezultati vide. Nazad se ne bih vraćao, jer uvek u životu gledam napred.
Da li je teže biti ministar zdravstva u Vladi ili voditi Dubrovnik − jednu od najatraktivnijih turističkih destinacija u regionu?
Ne bih rekao da se uopšte radi o težini posla, nego o odgovornosti koju je potrebno preuzeti. Lično uživam i uživao sam i u jednom i u drugom poslu.
Da li ste zadovoljni onim što šte postigli tokom svojih mandata?
Jesam, jer iza mene stoje vidljivi i vrlo uverljivi rezultati. Kad sam bio ministar, u Ministarstvu zdravstva pokrenuli smo mnoge važne promene, kao što je kompjuterizacija zdravstvenog sistema. U Dubrovniku poslujemo u suficitu, radimo na kapitalnim projektima, smanjujemo nezaposlenost, kupujemo imovinu umesto da je prodajemo, subvencionišemo vazdušni i drumski saobraćaj našim građanima do glavnog grada Zagreba, u 2013. smo smanjili dopunski porez sa 15 na 10 posto, a svakodnevno radimo na novim merama i projektima.
Koliko je teško, u globalno lošoj ekonomskoj situaciji, voditi grad?
Na početku je bilo teško vratiti dugove i smanjiti budžet. Međutim, locirali smo mesta gde se novac nepotrebno trošio, pa smo nakon dve godine počeli opet da ostvarujemo rast prihoda i budžeta. Pritom, nismo ukinuli nijedno pravo građanima, posebno socijalnim kategorijama, nego smo samo pametnije, poslovnije i odgovornije počeli da koristimo sve gradske resurse, u prvom redu imovinu. Prihodnu stranu budžeta okrenuli smo više prema turistima i onim delatnostima koje nisu zahvaćene krizom, tako da možemo da kažemo da Dubrovnik od 2012. više nije u recesiji. Štaviše, budžetsku 2012. i 2013. završili smo sa suficitom, a javnost će reći kako nikad nije bilo više investicija iz gradske blagajne nego u tom periodu.
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The first man of one of the world's most attractive tourist destinations was also Minister of Health and hospital administrator. He sees his current position as a challenge and considers that his work implies a very high responsibility, but it is not particularly difficult. He tries to contribute to the work of his fellow citizens and numerous guests. He only looks to the future and considers that the greatest contribution to his hometown will be done in the field of education. There have been introduced special programs in kindergartens; schools have teaching assistants and students are provided interest-free loans for education at world-renowned universities. He enjoys his work as much as the smell of the city and he would take the dear guests of Dubrovnik to the city stairs, so that they could take a walk in Stradun, visit the city walls and see the "Medieval town in modern times."
Given your rich professional political career, it seems that you have held some important positions since you were a student. What was your favorite position and to which you would like to return?
One of my favorite positions is definitely the current one, as city mayor. The other one is that one of Director of the General Hospital in Dubrovnik. Every period of time has its charm and I have enjoyed in a certain way all the positions I have had, because I fully commit to my work. I love new challenges, especially when they are successfully overcome and results can be seen. I would not like to go back, because I only look ahead in life.
What is harder, to be in the government as Minister of Health or to lead Dubrovnik, one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the region?
I would not say that it is a matter of difficulty at all, but of the responsibility that must be assumed. Personally I have enjoyed both positions.
Are you satisfied with what you have accomplished during your time in office?
Yes, I am satisfied because I have had very convincing results. When I was a Minister, we launched many important changes in the Ministry of Health, such as the computerization of the health care system. In Dubrovnik we are operating with surplus, working on capital projects, reducing unemployment, buying property instead of selling it, subsidizing air and road transportation for our citizens up to the capital city of Zagreb. In 2013 we reduced the surtax from 15 to 10 percent, and every day we work on new measures and projects.
How hard is it to lead the city when the global economic situation is bad?
It was difficult at first to repay debts and reduce the budget. However, we identified those places where money was unnecessarily spent, and two years later we began again to register growth in revenue and budget. In doing so, we did not deprive our citizens, especially the most vulnerable categories, of any of their rights. We just began to use our resources, first of all our assets, in a smarter, more businesslike and more responsible way. We turned the revenue side of the budget towards tourists and those activities that are not affected by the crisis. For that reason, we can say that by 2012 Dubrovnik was no longer in recession. Moreover, we ended the budgets for 2012 and 2013 with a surplus and I can say to the public that there have never been more investments from the city treasury than in that period.
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