With the aim to promote entrepreneurship, employment, and advancement of women in the business world, alongside successful women from the business sphere and women leading associations with the same mission, we are launching the “Successful Women’s Club” and an event that will ceremoniously award a prize titled “𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐮 𝐛𝐢𝐳𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐮” at every “Jahorina Economic Forum.”

Starting from 2025, we will award the most successful and inspirational woman in the field of business and entrepreneurship, who, through her actions and example, motivates other women to become more actively involved and engaged in the labor market. The “Lady of Business” award is a symbol of recognition, appreciation, and encouragement to continue striving for success!

In partnership with sponsors and patrons, our “Successful Women’s Club” will actively work on community strengthening and improving conditions for the work and advancement of women. Our inaugural “Business Lady” will be rewarded with a Lux weekend mentorship at a high-end hotel, where she will have the opportunity to participate in a mini mentorship program with one of the most successful regional managers.

Join us in this important mission to collectively contribute to the advancement of women in the business world!

Stay tuned for more information about the “Successful Women’s Club.”

Mercedes-Benz is coming to Jahorina again this year as the official vehicle of the “Jahorina Economic Forum,” offering participants the opportunity to test electric cars.

If you are a forum participant and interested in test driving along the roads of this Olympic beauty, you can apply via email at info@jahorinaekonomskiforum.com, indicating “Application for Mercedes-Benz test drive.”

Don’t miss the chance to experience the ride of the future!

See you at the seventh “Jahorina Economic Forum” from May 14th to 16th.

“Jahorina Economic Forum – Long-term Development Directions” is one of the most prestigious regional events where representatives from government institutions, companies, and experts engage in discussions to reach relevant conclusions on how to improve public policies, the economy, and the quality of life of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the region.

This year’s event will take place from May 14th to 16th at Jahorina, and according to the president of “Economic Forum”, organizer of “Jahorina Economic Forum”, and the President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce Banja Luka, Goran Račić, preparations are in the final stages. The organization is being carried out by a top-notch team of experts, and a record number of visitors is expected.

-There is less than a month left until the start of the event. Can you tell us in which phase the preparations are?

Račić: The final preparations for the “Jahorina Economic Forum” are currently underway. We have already completed 95 percent of the organizational part. Regarding the panels and participants, we are still awaiting confirmation from some panelists from abroad, and we expect to have the complete program finalized by the end of this month, including the schedule and the names of all participants.

-Compared to last year’s Forum, which was exceptionally well attended and positively evaluated by participants and visitors, how many participants do you expect this year and how many panel discussions?

Račić: We will have 15 panels. At the central panel, we expect regional leaders and a lecture by Professor Dragan Primorac from Zagreb. As for the participants, there will be around 100 panelists and moderators, while the number of visitors is expected to be between 600 and 650 people. We are somewhat limited by the accommodation capacity and the space provided by the hotel “Termag,” where the Forum takes place. In previous years, we have set high standards and goals for the production, organization, and everything else related to the organization of this event, and we can confidently say that no forum in the region has yet reached our level. In addition to the program, which will be broadcasted by the Radio-Television of the Republic of Srpska this year, the plenary and ceremonial opening, all panels are recorded and broadcasted via our YouTube channel. Furthermore, since last year, we have introduced the practice of recording “podcasts” with key speakers, which are then broadcasted on our YouTube channel. This has proven to be a good practice. People who are unable to attend in person will have the opportunity to follow what is happening at Jahorina through our social media channels.

-What will be this year’s central theme and what might be the most interesting?

Račić: The central panel is related to the main theme of the forum “Western Balkans and Long-term Development Directions.” Last year, we also focused on the Western Balkans and regional integrations. We are aware that today the entire region, and therefore Bosnia and Herzegovina as well, cannot achieve the desired level of economic development without regional integration. We need to concretize certain regional processes, primarily in creating a unified regional market, in terms of border crossings, flow of goods, human resources, and human potentials. So, regarding labor, we need to create conditions for workers to be able to be employed freely and work throughout the Western Balkans. On the other hand, we must ensure that all certificates, which accompany the flow of goods and diplomas, are recognized among all countries in the Balkans, which would create a significant precondition for development. We have a practice of being divided among ourselves and being limited by the existence of borders. Previously, we had one border that was sometimes associated with the former Yugoslavia, while today we have six borders. For example, we have a situation where the flow of goods between Banja Luka and Belgrade takes two to three days. We know that the cost of transportation significantly contributes to the cost structure of a product, and if we could create a paperless transport of goods and if we could facilitate easier flow of goods at the border, and recognize each other’s certificates, we could significantly reduce transportation costs, and thus reduce the cost of certain goods sold in our market.

-The forum brings together business leaders from the region, making it significant for the entire region. What are the greatest benefits achieved so far in terms of business cooperation?

Račić: As you mentioned, we gather people from about 20 countries every year. All leading regional leaders have the opportunity to get to know each other, to exchange experiences, and on the other hand, many conclusions that we have formulated at the “Jahorina Economic Forum” in previous years are now an integral part of some official documents present in the official institutions of Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina. I will mention that last year we initiated an idea aimed at improving the position of young people, which relates to the purchase of their first real estate with exemption from paying VAT. Our initiative was accepted by the officials of Republika Srpska, and two to three months ago, the Minister of Finance of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Srđan Amidžić, immediately after taking office, concretized that idea, and preparations are already underway for certain changes in the law, which would allow the first real estate in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be purchased by young people without paying VAT. So, they now have an ambition to negotiate with all authorities at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement this idea, and I expect that it will already be in the parliamentary procedure during this year. It is a concrete idea aimed at helping young people at the age when they decide whether to leave this country or to permanently bond with the place where they were born and the country where they live.

This idea certainly needs to prevail in favor of them staying in this area where they were born and where they live, and in this way, it will certainly influence the decision of many young people, when they are at a certain age and at a crossroads whether to leave these areas or stay. We are aware that migrations and the economic situation have influenced the trends that many young people from almost all Western Balkan countries have left in the past period seeking better places where they can achieve certain business and life ambitions, but we see that in the last few months, we also have the return of young people, although it has not been sufficiently presented in the media and in other ways.

-What other significant topics will be represented at the Forum?

Račić: Since we had the ambition to address the long-term development directions of our region, we have planned a panel that deals with demographics and migrations. We cannot have serious long-term development programs if we do not monitor our demographics and trends. Surely, in this part, we will have competent speakers from the entire region, and we will try to support certain trends with statistical data. This means we will discuss where we are today in terms of population, the issue of natural increase, and what we can expect in five to 10 or 20 to 30 years. The fact is that some professions that are interesting today will no longer be in focus in 20 or 30 years, and the situation will change over time, reflecting the needs of the economy. If we look at artificial intelligence, we are talking about something that is inevitable today and is an integral part of our lives, a challenge for everyone. In this context, we will have a panel featuring speakers such as the director of the National Institute for Artificial Intelligence from Serbia, then young entrepreneurs dealing with robotics and creating certain applications and software solutions that support artificial intelligence. Also, we expect the vice president of the Huawei Group to speak on the topic of artificial intelligence. The theme is inevitable, and in the coming years, it will be increasingly present in our daily lives. Therefore, we must “draw out” certain directions in which we need to move. If we do not have an adequate approach to the application of artificial intelligence, it can have negative and unwanted effects.

– How appealing are we to foreign investors?

Račić: As for our country and the interest of foreign investors, we cannot be satisfied with the presence of foreign investors due to certain political tensions. Unfortunately, we are not attractive to foreign investors because of these tensions. However, it is encouraging that all those foreign investors who have been present in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the past 10 to 15 years have significantly increased their production and expanded the scope of their business. So, in a way, this is an indicator and proof that there is a positive environment here. Regarding investment development, on the other hand, foreign investors are committed to investing in labor and certain projects in our area, which is very good. Today, when talking about foreign investments, the first question is whether there is a sufficient number of labor force. Unfortunately, we will have to change and adapt our legislation, which deals with the issue of labor force, to the needs of the market. We see that Croatia has abolished all permits that previously prevented the import of labor force because they simply realized that they have nothing more to protect. Also, the number of people registered with our Employment Bureau is not realistic. Although this number is much lower today compared to the past five or 10 years, these people are mostly not active job seekers, and therefore, legislation should be adapted to the real interests and needs of the economy. The need of the economy today is to try to quickly, efficiently, and easily obtain satisfactory labor force in those markets that currently have that labor force. So, the first question of foreign investors is whether we have enough educated, trained, and quality labor force. If we can provide that, there would certainly be many more investments.

– Considering the aforementioned, can we add that the “Jahorina Economic Forum” serves as a promoter of our country’s potentials and resources, while also highlighting the deficiencies that need to be addressed to create a better business environment?

Račić: I agree. We have always endeavored to promote our potentials and resources. This year, we will also present our tourism potentials, discuss destination management and tourism management. Agriculture and food production are also on the agenda, as these have become global trends. We aim to showcase our successful managers and practices as examples for all of us, while also pointing out problems, shortcomings, and the need for regulatory changes or new regulations that should facilitate our development and promotion.

– Recently, a delegation from Hungary visited Republika Srpska. Political relations should contribute to economic cooperation. What is your perspective on this?

Račić: Cooperation with advanced and developed countries is always welcome. Hungary is a developed country that has shown interest in cooperating with Republika Srpska. Back in 2008, during the global economic crisis, they decided to diversify their foreign trade to other markets as they were overly dependent on the European Union, with nearly 60% of their foreign trade conducted within the EU. They realized that relying solely on one market could be economically detrimental, so they are trying to expand their cooperation to other regions, including the market of Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It’s beneficial that, in addition to economic cooperation, we also have good political understanding between the official political elites of Republika Srpska and Hungary. This lays the groundwork for development and cooperation, and certain agricultural projects are welcome. Several successful projects involving the import of equipment from Hungary have already been realized, and this cooperation is expected to expand further in the future, which is positive. The interest of our entrepreneurs in purchasing equipment from Hungary is quite satisfactory, especially considering that a significant portion of this equipment is provided through grant funds approved by the Hungarian government through its fund.

– You recently returned from Greece, where a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Greek-Serbian Chamber of Commerce was held in Thessaloniki. What agreements have you reached?

Račić: We are trying to expand cooperation with Greece. There is interest on the Greek side for collaboration. The trade exchange between Greece and Republika Srpska is at a relatively low level, around 60 million euros, and we believe there is potential and interest to increase it. In this context, we had discussions with our partners and colleagues from Greece. One piece of good news is that we were guests at the tourism and economy fair in Thessaloniki, where our businessmen were provided with free booths for presentation and business purposes. That is certainly a positive step, and at the moment, we are negotiating for a portion of hotel accommodation for our businessmen to be financially covered by the hosts, which would be very interesting and attractive for our businessmen. We have already surveyed some companies that have shown interest, and I hope that by this fall, we will be able to lead the first delegation of businessmen from Republika Srpska to Thessaloniki for the fair, where they will have the opportunity to talk to interested partners and create conditions to expand not only to Western European markets, where we export about 70% of our domestic products but also to the Greek market, which is very interesting. It is a market that, in addition to its own consumer base, has a large number of tourists, so it is certainly a very significant consumer base to consider.

– A visit to Italy, Trento region, is planned. In what aspect do you plan to establish cooperation with their Chamber of Commerce?

Račić: About 20 days ago, we hosted a business delegation from the Trento region, and they showed interest in certain products from Republika Srpska, primarily fruit, specifically berries like blueberries, raspberries, and even aronia. We agreed that at the end of May, a delegation of blueberry, raspberry, and other fruit producers will visit the Trento region. Along with the Chamber of Commerce delegation, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture would also participate, and during that time, we agreed to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation between our Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of the Trento region, which should serve as the basis for future projects.

– Besides yourself as the president of the Organizing Committee of the “Jahorina Economic Forum,” who else is involved in organizing such a representative event?

Račić: We have strong support from our partners, primarily involving individuals from agencies responsible for social media promotion, developing complete media and marketing content. On the other hand, we have an agency assisting us with guest accommodation because we need to accommodate over six hundred people, including participants of the forum itself, which involves organizing their transportation, flights, transfers from the airport to the hotel… Regarding the individuals creating specific program packages, our partners from the Economic Institute Belgrade, Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina, and Chamber of Commerce of Republika Srpska significantly assist in that aspect. So, there is a broad spectrum of people involved in this endeavor.

(RTV KD)

The seventh “Jahorina Economic Forum” will be held from May 14th to 16th this year, and according to the organizers’ announcements, a record number of participants is expected.

In addition to the central panel on the Western Balkans’ long-term development directions, numerous panels will address perspectives and challenges of artificial intelligence application, green mining as both a developmental opportunity and an environmental issue, the unique regional market, creative industries, energy transition and its associated challenges, circular economy, electromobility, sustainable agriculture, and the application of digital tools, as well as business collaboration and investment in the Republic of Srpska. Regional investors will discuss experiences with regional free zones, with participation from domestic and regional leaders, representatives of leading companies, and foreign investors.

“This year’s forum is a continuation of the previous two forums, which primarily focus on regional topics. We are aware that we must develop regional cooperation and connectivity as it is a significant prerequisite for further progress,” said Goran Račić, President of the Banja Luka Chamber of Commerce, in an interview for the Banja Luka.net portal.

We spoke with Goran Račić about the Jahorina Economic Forum, as well as the state of the domestic economy, the challenges it faces, and the Chamber’s plans for the coming period.

The “Jahorina Economic Forum” this year is themed “Western Balkans – Long-term Development Directions.” How are the preparations going?

RAČIĆ: Preparations are in full swing; we already have most of the program ready. We expect confirmation of participation from about five percent more panelists, so we can say that everything is in the final stages. This year’s forum is a continuation of the previous two forums, which primarily focus on regional topics. We are aware that we must develop regional cooperation and connectivity as it is a significant prerequisite for further progress in this region. It is also favorable that Bosnia and Herzegovina recently obtained candidate status, so we are somewhat closer in that regional sense. Our immediate neighbors, Montenegro and Serbia, have obtained candidate status in the previous period and are currently in the process of realization and alignment of certain chapters.

So, regional topics and development are our goals. We will consider all topics relevant to the region, starting with the specific obligations the region has undertaken, such as the issue of green transition, the green agenda, and how far we have progressed in that regard, what we can expect, whether it is a burden or whether more assistance from the EU is needed. The obligations defined by the green agenda and energy transition require significant financial support from the European Union.

We will be discussing the resources that this region possesses. On that topic, we plan to motivate the entire region and mobilize current speakers to see how we can leverage our resources. We want to determine if our resources can be a developmental opportunity given the upcoming times, or if they will be subject to internal political or environmental issues… When it comes to other panels, there’s also the issue of agriculture and food. Today, food is a priority for all developed countries. We see that wars will no longer be fought over oil as they were in the past; now, the focus is on food and water. The entire region has excellent resources in food production. Today, it’s not just about agriculture but also agribusiness, and it’s possible that these processes will develop on other platforms in the future. The influence of digitization on the economy is increasing. We are keen to make agriculture more sustainable through these digital processes.

This is the leading regional event in the field of economics. Who will the Jahorina Economic Forum bring together this year, how many participants do you expect, and who are the standout panelists?

RAČIĆ: We’ve made an effort to invite the most competent people from the region to all the panels, which are very relevant. For the topic of natural wealth and green mining, we’ll have Professor Dejan Ilić, who is the creator of the battery, former director of Varta, and an advisor in Angela Merkel’s team for renewable sources. He’s certainly one of the people who has something significant to say in this field. As for the central panel dealing with long-term development directions, which we can call a political panel, we expect all regional leaders to contribute. When it comes to agriculture as a panel, we expect regional agriculture ministers and regional leaders in food production.

I can confidently say that the most competent people who can provide answers to specific questions are represented in all our panels. Regarding energy transition and energy issues, there will be regional directors of power utilities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, along with experts in the field who are currently involved in energy production as private entrepreneurs. Additionally, there will be consultants who are well aware of our obligations regarding energy transition. Furthermore, we’re moving towards certain new directions in electromobility. The moderator of that panel is journalist Mladen Alvirović, and representatives from Mercedes, Verano Motors, and other regional auto companies aiming for a greater role in electromobility will participate.

The problem with the domestic economy is uncertainty

What burdens the domestic economy the most in economic terms, and what challenges does the economy face?

RAČIĆ: At the moment, a major problem for our economy is uncertainty. All processes occurring at the global level over the past two to three years significantly influence both our economic capabilities and our developmental potential. On one hand, we have reduced demand for our products in the Western European market due to consumer uncertainty in Western Europe, fear of job loss, reduced wages, and the recession that has been present, along with high inflation rates. All of this has led to a decrease in consumption in the Western European market, resulting in reduced demand for our export products, which we exported to the Western European market to a certain extent, about 70%. Before that, we faced problems with the rising costs of production in terms of raw materials.

Especially this year, we’ve seen an increase in labor costs, with the minimum wage increasing by about 28%. We have increased wage costs that certainly affect profitability and the capital of companies. In such circumstances, companies face a labor shortage, so in the coming period, we will focus more on developmental projects in the economy, which will involve acquiring new technologies that could impact profitability and the competitiveness of our economy. Through new technologies, we could somehow compensate for the lack of labor.

Clearly, in the coming period, we will, like the entire region and Europe, need to import labor. Already, we have workers in construction and a certain number of workers in manufacturing industries, and in the future, we will need workers in the hospitality industry as well. It is evident in the region; you have hospitality workers from Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, and other countries, and this is something that will soon be happening here. Therefore, at the forum, we will discuss demographic challenges for the Western Balkans and the issue of migrations with demographers, to what extent all of this affects further developmental processes, and how it will impact the current situation in terms of labor market needs. I’m looking forward to hearing from all the participants in the Demography and Migrations panel and their impact on the labor market and developmental processes. Through assessments and analyses, we will be able to predict what to expect in 2030, 2040, 2050, and see which occupations, according to some estimates, will be most relevant in the next 20 or 30 years.

It’s clear that certain occupations will cease to exist over time, but new occupations will be created very quickly. We will have a significant panel on artificial intelligence and the use of artificial intelligence in business. This is a major challenge for the entire region. We have trends present worldwide. It is necessary to create the application of artificial intelligence in business very carefully and under control. Professors and panelists from the National Institute of Serbia, as well as distinguished managers dealing with artificial intelligence and robotics, will surely have something to say on this topic.

How will the sanctions imposed by the U.S. administration on certain companies affect the economy?

RAČIĆ: As someone who is a legalist and involved in economics, I am always against sanctions that are not supported by evidence and not processed by judicial decisions. In this case, we have sanctions that do not have formal legal coverage, and thereby we undermine the economic potential of our country, while on the other hand, we create a practice that will affect the market itself and create a negative image and atmosphere in Republika Srpska. I think we should do everything to lift these sanctions as soon as possible and free the economy from this burden and threat. Unfortunately, from what I’ve been informed of these days, there’s little talk of lifting sanctions; on the contrary, there’s talk of expanding the list of companies that could be sanctioned. In any case, I condemn it. We will try to influence the centers of power to show them that sanctions are not an instrument to help a country. Everyone has a mission to help create a more acceptable environment for development and further investment.

What is the situation with foreign investments? The Chamber is definitely the bridge in connecting and linking entrepreneurs both in our area and with foreign ones?

RAČIĆ: Unfortunately, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we cannot boast about investments in the previous period. They are quite limited due to the political situation itself. We have a poor reputation as a space where certain political processes have not yet been completed, and as a result, significant foreign investments have not come to the expected extent at this moment. The positive aspect is that companies present in the territory of Republika Srpska, primarily from the most developed Western countries, such as Germany and Austria, have been increasing their capacities year by year. We have a situation where one of the world’s largest auto parts producers, “Mahle,” has built a new factory spanning over 33,000 square meters in Laktaši, which will be operational this month. This will lead to the employment of several hundred workers, which is a positive example. Additionally, there is the company SHP “Celex,” which has a five-year investment plan of around 100 million BAM. Unfortunately, we do not have any significant influx of new foreign investments, but all existing investors in the territory of Republika Srpska have development projects for the coming period, which means that there is potential for investment growth here, given our favorable tax environment and, above all, the available workforce that is working in these companies and can meet market demands.

Republika Srpska has significant development potential in the energy sector

In which sectors do we currently have the most potential for development?

RAČIĆ: When it comes to Republika Srpska and the region, the energy sector is among the priority projects. In energy, we have significant developmental potential, considering that almost every local community is bordered by two or three rivers. Also, natural conditions regarding wind and sunlight allow us to consider such projects, meaning that energy is certainly at the top of the priority list when it comes to investments in Srpska. I would also mention the need for larger and more significant investments in the agriculture sector, and we must consider developmental potentials such as the IT sector and artificial intelligence. Countries that have had a quality educational base, universities, have managed to create a new generation of people who are now performing significant roles in the global market. These are the people who are changing the world and adapting it to new trends. We have a solid potential for the development of the IT sector, and I believe that we should focus more on educating new talent, creating a university base related to designing new resources in terms of new personnel, and thereby adapting our tax environment to these individuals. A significant portion of the IT sector today operates on the margins in terms of laws, working as freelancers, not covered by the existing legal tax system, and we are preparing proposals for legislative regulations to motivate all individuals from that gray area to transition into normal legal frameworks.

Plans of the Regional Chamber of Commerce Banja Luka for the next period.

RAČIĆ: Our goal is to position the Chamber every day as an indispensable factor in discussions with relevant institutions regarding representing the interests of the economy. We aim to work with the Government of Srpska to create an environment that will meet the needs of the economy. We must find a way to compensate for all negative trends such as reduced exports, reduced demand in Western markets, and at the same time, increased wages. We need to find a way to help companies affected by wage increases. Whether it’s a partial tax refund related to increased wages or an increase in the non-taxable portion of income to a higher amount… These are all modalities to alleviate the existing negative consequences of wage increases, as well as reduced demand in Western markets and decreased exports.

(Aldijana Mirković, Banjaluka.net)

The “Jahorina Economic Forum,” which brings together leaders and leading experts from various fields, will have its seventh edition from May 14th to 16th.

Goran Račić, president of “Economic Forum”, organizer of “Jahorina Economic Forum”, announced one of the largest regional economic events where more than 600 participants and about 100 speakers are expected.

During his appearance on Radio-television Vojvodina, he talked about interesting topics that await us, as well as about the Festival of Regional Wines, which will be organized at Jahorina.

You can watch the complete appearance of Goran Račić, President of the JEF Organizing Committee, at the link below.

JAHORINA – The President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, stated today at the ceremonial opening of the “Jahorina Economic Forum” that BiH should join the “Open Balkans” initiative.

Dodik mentioned that the concept of “Open Balkans” has been discussed for a long time, and the benefits can be seen from the example of countries already involved in this initiative.

“The term ‘Open Balkans’ exists because the region has long been closed and needs to be opened,” Dodik emphasized, recalling his support for the idea even during his tenure in the BiH Presidency.

Dodik highlighted that the business community in both Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH believes this should be embraced.

“This was the reaction from businessmen in the Federation of BiH and all institutions in Republika Srpska. Political decisions on why this cannot happen, I can only speculate,” Dodik remarked, noting that these decisions may suggest hidden motives, as reported by Srna.

Upon analysis, he pointed out, it becomes evident that this initiative has a multi-ethnic character, and when considering its constituents, one can see high-quality structures in every aspect.

Dodik noted the significance of discussing the “Open Balkans” at Jahorina, at the forum, as, in his words, such discussions are not possible in Sarajevo.

He added that this economic forum is gaining significant importance and that the intention is to elevate it to an even higher level.

The Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Borjana Krišto, emphasized the need to work on accelerating economic growth and increasing the competitiveness of the economy.

Krišto stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s economy is dependent on economic trends in the surrounding region.

“This is particularly evident today when we are facing various global challenges, from slow economic growth to worsened labor market conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Krišto said.

She emphasized that the Council of Ministers is committed to sustainable economic growth and development, continuing socio-economic reforms, and strengthening the rule of law, political opportunities, and EU membership.

Highlighting that the “Jahorina Economic Forum” has been established as an important event for six years, she noted that the forum provides an opportunity to discuss crucial issues that will contribute to long-term socio-economic development and improvement of the business environment.

She expressed confidence that this year’s “Jahorina Economic Forum” will foster better communication among participants and yield quality conclusions.

Račić: Bosnia and Herzegovina should not allow itself to be a passive observer

Goran Račić, President of the Organizing Committee of the “Jahorina Economic Forum,” stated at the opening of the event that Bosnia and Herzegovina should not allow itself to be a passive observer but should be part of an integrated market of 18 million people where people, capital, and knowledge move freely.

Račić emphasized that although the “Open Balkans” initiative, founded by Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania, is based on economic principles, it has not received approval from other countries in the region.

“It is well known that Republika Srpska has accepted the ‘Open Balkans,’ while the reasons for rejection from the Federation of BiH are political in nature. At this moment, it is encouraging that the newly elected president of Montenegro (Jakov Milatović) has expressed readiness for this country to be part of the ‘Open Balkans,'” Račić emphasized.

According to him, all Balkan countries prioritize regional cooperation as one of the main objectives of their foreign policy. At present, there are more than ten agreements regulating regional integration into the EU, with the most significant initiatives being the “Berlin Process” and the “Open Balkans.”

“The Berlin Process is an intergovernmental initiative launched in 2014 under the auspices of the German Chancellor with the aim of connecting the Western Balkan countries and the EU on their path to full EU membership. However, the results of this initiative are modest, and it has not met the expectations of citizens or the economy,” Račić said.

He highlighted that the “Open Balkans” initiative does not intend to replace the “Berlin Process” and is related to its own resources, mutual recognition of certificates accompanying the movement of goods and services, simpler border procedures, and mutual recognition of diplomas.

Račić emphasized that the “Jahorina Economic Forum” has been one of the most prestigious regional events for six years, bringing together representatives of state institutions, companies, and experts to discuss relevant conclusions on how to improve public policies and the economy.

Today, the first day of the forum, discussions are planned within nine panels, while tomorrow, the second day, participants will engage in discussions within eight additional panels.

The forum will address regional topics such as “Open Balkans,” economic cooperation, energy transition, agriculture and digital transformation, and strengthening the competitiveness of local communities and the local economy, the organizers announced.

The “Jahorina Economic Forum” is held under the joint patronage of the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, the Serbian member and chair of the Presidency of BiH Željka Cvijanović, the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, and the Association “Economic Forum.”

Source: nezavisne.com