EXPO 2027 Belgrade was presented to the audience at the seventh ‘Jahorina Economic Forum,’ held under the theme ‘Western Balkans – Long-term Development Paths.’ Congratulating the organizers of the ‘Jahorina Economic Forum’ on the splendid event that has been gathering economic, academic, and professional communities, as well as representatives of governments from the region for seven years, the Director of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, Dušan Borovčanin, stated that it is a great pleasure to introduce an event whose host will be Serbia in 2027, and which officially commences in exactly three years.

“We can say that the entire region has become a host to such an important event, which will draw the attention of more than 100 countries to this region. The specialized exhibition provides an opportunity to attract the attention of a large number of countries, which may consider relocating their businesses to this region, collaborating with our companies, or engaging in intense diplomatic activities,” said the Director of EXPO 2027 Belgrade.

Dušan Borovčanin emphasized that EXPO 2027 Belgrade is a catalyst for the development of all sectors in the economy:

“In addition to more than 100 countries, the exhibition will also host some of the most significant international organizations and corporations. EXPO is not just an event that lasts for 92 days at the exhibition site, but it is the idea that the whole city, the Republic of Serbia, and the region will live for those three months, while parallel events such as the ‘Jahorina Economic Forum,’ which represent an excellent venue for the exchange of business ideas, will take place,” he added.

The theme of the Specialized Exhibition in Belgrade will be ‘Play for Humanity: Sports and Music for All,’ focusing on the importance of play, sports, and music and their contribution to the development of humanity. During this period, it is expected that more than 2.6 million visitors will enjoy a very interesting content through the pavilions of Serbia and more than a hundred countries, presented on a 25-hectare exhibition area. By organizing the Specialized Exhibition, Serbia joins the 170-year history of EXPO events that have changed the world through major technological and scientific achievements of their time or lasting architectural legacies around the world.

Source: Blic.rs

Regional collaboration and linking companies from different sectors, facilitation for producers, and assistance from state authorities throughout the process were the key topics that dominated the discussions on the second day of the seventh ‘Jahorina Economic Forum.’

During the panel discussion ‘One Region, One Market,’ it was emphasized that everyone in the Western Balkans should develop their own economies but must not neglect the development of the regional market.

It was highlighted that political prejudices often hinder development, but regional initiatives can significantly help the economy. However, despite the existence of several regional initiatives such as the Open Balkans or the Berlin Process, entrepreneurs pointed out that many good ideas remained only on paper and did not materialize in practice. Particularly, attention was drawn to the problem of excessive retention of goods at borders, causing the economy to lose around 300 million euros annually, according to some estimates.

“Until we realize that our economic imperative is to cooperate despite past traumas and disputes, we will not work for the benefit of our citizens,” emphasized Jelena Trivan, the CEO of m:tel, as reported by Glas Srpske.

She added that the company she leads is an excellent example of success in the common market of the Western Balkans.

Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, Staša Košarac, emphasized that everyone in the region should invest more energy in the story of gathering and a common market.

“Without a unified market, we will have a series of problems if we fail to eliminate barriers that slow down entrepreneurs,” Košarac stated.

During the panel ‘Regional Energy Market,’ Minister of Energy and Mining of Republika Srpska, Petar Đokić, stated that Republika Srpska can obtain 60% of its energy from green sources within five years, which is a realistic plan and a sign of the country’s high level of responsibility towards the overall energy transition taking place in Europe and the world today.

He explained that energy transition means phasing out coal as an energy source for electricity production, which requires sincere and persistent European engagement, which is not currently the case.

Đokić mentioned that coal is a base energy source in the Balkan countries, and it is impossible to abandon it as the EU has envisaged, citing the case of Germany, which is restarting preserved coal-fired power plants.

“Republika Srpska and BiH, as small countries, need to take care of their interests and ensure a secure supply to meet domestic needs,” Đokić said.

Goran Račić, the president of the Economic Forum, met today at the ‘Jahorina Economic Forum’ with representatives of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in London and Sarajevo – Mohamed Asiri from the London Embassy office and Muteb AlShammari, an advisor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

They discussed possibilities of cooperation, the potential that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and our region possess, and the participation of Saudi Arabian representatives in the next ‘Jahorina Economic Forum.’

Guests from Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Asiri, Muteb AlShammari, and Embassy translator Bilal Merdan, attended the second day of the ‘Jahorina Economic Forum,’ one of the most significant regional economic events, which gathered leaders from various spheres.

The seventh “Jahorina Economic Forum,” one of the most significant regional economic events, has started today.

Watch how the Forum’s opening was at the Termag Hotel in Jahorina.

The president of the “Jahorina Economic Forum,” Goran Račić, stated during the opening ceremony of this Forum that the Western Balkans represents the market of the future.

He emphasized that this event represents one of the most significant regional gatherings.

“The theme is ‘Western Balkans and Long-term Development Directions’ with over 600 participants. This has been intensively discussed for the past 10 years. Today, all Western Balkan countries have association agreements with the EU,” said Račić.

He reminded that EU funds are intended for growth plans.

“Despite all Western Balkan countries having signed many agreements, on the ground, it’s not quite so, as major powers are entering the spheres of influence of all countries. We need to integrate the market of 18 million people. All prerequisites exist for this area to become the market of the future,” Račić stated.

The President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, stated during the opening ceremony of the “Jahorina Economic Forum” that Republika Srpska is open to the region and cooperation, and that it has perspective.

“It shows that we were right when we started telling this story at Jahorina seven years ago. If nothing else, let’s at least push ourselves to be a little better next year,” Dodik noted.

He emphasized that Republika Srpska’s decision to increase the minimum wage has led to an increase in domestic product growth.

“And we can say with certainty that we will end the year with a growth of 19 billion KM,” Dodik stated clearly.

Minister of Economic Relations and Foreign Trade in the Council of Ministers, Staša Košarac, highlighted that this forum represents the brand of Republika Srpska.

“We are proud that this kind of event has been held in Jahorina for the seventh consecutive year. The entire region, political, and economic elites are present. We want to show that Republika Srpska is recognized internationally as someone who wants to attract foreign investments to this region,” Košarac emphasized.

He noted that Republika Srpska emphasizes regional cooperation.

“And in that, President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, is leading. The concrete effects of all this will be felt not only by individuals and companies but by the entire Republika Srpska and also the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, from which there are constant obstructions, but that will not bring them anything good,” Košarac concluded.

Source: RTRS

“We have anticipated 15 to 16 very high-quality panels where we will cover all the topics crucial for the economic life of the region, which will somehow address and be incorporated into the central theme of this year’s forum, ‘Western Balkans – Long-term Development Directions,'” said Goran Račić, president of the “Economic Forum” and organizer of the “Jahorina Economic Forum,” in an interview with “Nezavisne novine.” The event will take place at the Olympic beauty from May 14 to 16.

“We will also tackle topics important for the entire region, such as tourism, destination management, and tourism management, with participants being the most significant tourism workers from Slovenia to North Macedonia. We will also discuss health tourism, which has become quite recognizable in the region. Additionally, we’ll delve into the issue of artificial intelligence, with high-quality participants such as the Vice President of ‘Deutsche Telekom’ and the ‘Huawei’ group, as well as other panels covering finance, insurance, agriculture, and more,” Račić said.

NN: The seventh “Jahorina Economic Forum” begins on May 14 and lasts until May 16. Can you tell us what to expect this year? How many panels and panelists will there be? What will be the focus of the forum this year?

RAČIĆ: This year, we’re embarking on new challenges related to organizing the forum itself. We have changed the concept; we have a three-day event, and in addition to the central opening, panels, and lectures, which will be held by Professor Dragan Primorac from Zagreb, we will also have a presentation of ‘EXPO 2027’ by the leadership of this event, the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, and the Minister of Trade and Tourism in the Government of Serbia. On the first day, we will have a Festival of regional wine and present between 35 to 40 regional wineries, mostly well-known in the area of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We expect over 600 participants, as in previous years. We have anticipated 15 to 16 very high-quality panels, where we will cover all the topics crucial for the economic life of the region, which will somehow address and be incorporated into the central theme of this year’s forum, ‘Western Balkans – Long-term Development Directions.’

“We will also tackle topics important for the entire region, such as tourism, destination management, and tourism management, with participants being the most significant tourism workers from Slovenia to North Macedonia. We will also discuss health tourism, which has become quite recognizable in the region. Additionally, we’ll delve into the issue of artificial intelligence, with high-quality participants, such as the Vice President of ‘Deutsche Telekom’ and the ‘Huawei’ group, as well as other panels covering finance, insurance, agriculture, and more.

NN: Can we say that this forum is in some way a link between institutions, the economy, and promotion of the potential of Republika Srpska?

RAČIĆ: You are correct. We have shown that we from Republika Srpska can create a forum that is already regionally recognizable and that this forum may be talked about even more in Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia than in RS or Bosnia and Herzegovina itself. Today, it is a highly visible event, a prestigious business event that brings together a large number of leaders from the region, competent experts in the fields we address at the forum. On the other hand, we are keen to discuss all the topics crucial for the region. This year, we will focus on the long-term development directions of the Western Balkans. We are keen to bring all the topics crucial for long-term development and utilization of all the potentials we have closer to the authorities throughout the region and reach the most competent conclusions and recommendations, not only towards government representatives but also towards managers themselves, on how certain processes can be elevated to a higher level or how to develop certain sectors.

NN: How important is it to organize such forums, or is it necessary to talk more about the economy and cooperation among the plethora of current topics?

RAČIĆ: It is very important to talk about economic topics in the region. Unfortunately, economic issues are somehow overshadowed by certain political processes and tensions present throughout the Western Balkans. However, we do not give up and try to change those things so that the economy is more present in the minds of all the key people determining certain processes. Unfortunately, after 30 years since the end of the war, we are still hostages to certain misunderstandings and lack of trust. We have not integrated economically, and there are still barriers between us, making communication between regions difficult. Trucks stand at our borders for two to three days, and on the other hand, we do not recognize each other’s certificates. Unfortunately, this is something that should have changed long ago. Furthermore, we do not recognize each other’s diplomas; we have not created a unified labor market, and all of this is the prerequisite for further economic progress in the region. We need to eliminate these barriers, integrate practically, not just declaratively. We need a unified economic space, a unified labor market. We need a space without borders, or if those borders exist, they should be more flexible or permeable, thus allowing the region to develop more and minimize all those unnecessary costs we create in mutual exchange.

NN: We know that some proposals from previous forums have been included or will be implemented and introduced legally. Could you tell us which proposals those are?

RAČIĆ: Many conclusions created at the previous six forums are now part of certain policies, not only at the entity level but also at the state level. One of the conclusions was the introduction of dual education into the school system of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today, we already have a dual system in some schools as a pilot project. On the other hand, the Law on Secondary Education of RS foresees dual education. Furthermore, we proposed certain changes in the incentive system within the Ministry of Labor of Republika Srpska, and now we have those systems included in the incentive level regarding new employment, increasing employment; these are some of the things we created earlier. There are new conclusions, for example, from last year, that buyers of the first real estate in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be exempt from paying VAT, and this has received general public support. Most politicians have positively responded to that issue, and the Ministry of Finance of Bosnia and Herzegovina has entered into the preparation of the legislative procedure to create that law to go to the Council of Ministers, then to the Parliamentary Assembly and the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

NN: How do you assess the past year in Republika Srpska? We know there were significant problems, especially in industrial production. Can we expect this year to be better?

RAČIĆ: Unfortunately, last year presented significant challenges as expected. With a heavy reliance on the Western European market, global tensions and conflicts contributed to a decline in demand. While the outlook remains uncertain, we continue to seek solutions, exploring new partnerships and strategies for sustainable growth.

(Nemanja Vukojević, Nezavisne novine)

President of the “Economic Forum,” organizer of the “Jahorina Economic Forum” Goran Račić and President of the Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina Boško Vučurević discussed the seventh JEF in the Morning Program of Radio – Television of Vojvodina.

JEF will be an opportunity for the exchange of innovative ideas, discussions on economic trends, challenges facing the regional market, destination tourism, wine as a region’s ambassador, and many other important topics.

“This year, we have endeavored to gather the most significant business figures from the region and decision-makers to discuss all the topics crucial for the region’s development. We want to focus on topics that are important for the entire region,” said Račić.

He emphasized that the first panel at the seventh “Jahorina Economic Forum” will be “One region, one market,” where leading business figures from the region will discuss:

“We are keen to address other topics that in a way restrict and slow down development in the region, such as the impacts of global events on economic development – like the use of artificial intelligence. At the panel ‘The use of artificial intelligence in business,’ we will hear from competent speakers, and we will also have two quality lectures. Professor Dr. Dejan Ilić, one of the creators of the lithium battery and a man with several patents, will talk about ‘green mining’ and electromobility, and a lecture will be given by one of the world’s best geneticists, Professor Dr. Dragan Primorac.”

Vučurević emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina and the “Jahorina Economic Forum.”

“The Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina has been supporting the event at Jahorina for years, which is of great importance due to the participants but also because Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska are important markets for the Republic of Serbia and the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina,” Vučurević said, reminding that last year the turnover between the Republic of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina was nearly three billion euros.

“The Jahorina Economic Forum” will be a gathering place for leading figures from the world of business, innovators, scientists, and decision-makers from May 14 to 16.

“I invite our businessmen to come to Jahorina because there they will be able to meet relevant and most important economic entities operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond,” Vučurević said.

Goran Račić, president of “Economic Forum”, organizer of “Jahorina Economic Forum” appearing on the “Afternoon” show on Una Television, discussed one of the largest regional economic forums and the establishment of the “Successful Women’s Club,” a new project of the JEF.

“The Jahorina Economic Forum” is launching a new initiative – we are establishing the “Successful Women’s Club” and launching the event “Lady in Business,” where we will award a lady who serves as an inspiration and motivation to other women,” said Račić, appearing on the “Afternoon” show.

Watch the entire interview segment discussing topics that will be covered at the Forum – new trends in the economy, challenges facing the regional market, demographics, destination tourism, and new initiatives.