Update July 2000: Bosnia and Herzegovina

The overall situation in IS development in the area is still significantly affected by the financial and economic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite efforts by the federal and the governments of both entities in pursuing economic growth. The privatisation process is undergoing at its own tempo and with its own difficulties, typical for all transitional countries in this region. There are, however, great expectations from the Stability Pact, and the programs and projects within the Pact, which must be financially supported.

In the past quarter, there have been no changes in the government of both entities and federal institutions.

There was a significant effort in the realisation of the Computer Network of the University in Banja Luka and the backbone of the future Academic and Research Network of the Republic Srpska. The major part of the Computer Network of the University in Banja Luka is realised and becomes functional. The backbone of the Academic and Research Network of the Republic of Srpska should be realised in the near future.

There is a trend toward better Internet connection and usage of all possible Internet services, which are especially emphasised within the University, academic, and research community.

Internet Providers:

• UniNet: Computer Network of the University of Banja Luka and backbone of the Academic and Research Network of Republika Srpska. It was designed in 1998 by the University Computer Centre of the University in Banja Luka and the Institute of Information Sciences from Maribor (Republic of Slovenia), after consultation with the Department of Telecommunications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia). The project was financially supported by donations from the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, and World University Service, Austria.