INTERVIEW: PERO GUDELJ, OWNER AND DIRECTOR OF FIS VITEZ
By: Hamed IBIŠEVIĆ
SARAJEVO, April 19 (ONASA) – Owner and director of company FIS Vitez Pero Gudelj in an interview for ONASA speaks on the establishment and operations of the company FIS Vitez, the current socio-political situation, the construction of the runway on Vlašić, amendment of the Law on VAT, and other topics.
ONASA: Company FIS Vitez has become a respectable brand even in the European framework. In the beginning when you owned a bar and a video rental business, did you imagine that you will create a trading empire of this scope?
GUDELJ: No.
ONASA: When you were a high school student and a man who dealt with music, did you recognize managerial skills in yourself?
GUDELJ: I was slightly aware of them.
ONASA: When and how was the idea of establishing FIS born, and what kind of traits does one have to have in order to open a successful company?
GUDELJ: My accordion was what made FIS, it all started with it an my love towards the accordion as an instrument and my love of music. The name of the company, FIS, came from my gratitude towards them.
As for the traits, a person has to have a vision, courage, trust in people and has to give others the chance to work, which is what I do.
ONASA: How many employees does FIS have today and how much truth is there in some information according to which you said that when you reach the number of 5,000 employees you will know you haven’t lived in vain?
GUDELJ: FIS currently employs 3.500 workers and my true goal is that FIS employs 5,000 people, and the goal is based on real foundations and I believe that in the coming years FIS will achieve this goal.
ONASA: What fields of business is FIS engaged in today and in which areas of BiH and abroad do you have facilities?
GUDELJ: FIS deals with trade of consumer goods, production of cleaning and maintenance products, and apart from that we have our own shipping company FIS ŠPED, as well as some other things.
FIS Vitez also owns the tourist-recreational center EKO FIS Vlašic.
FIS does business in the entire territory of BiH, in 15 retail facilities, as well as in 2 facilities in Croatia, and we also operate in many countries of the EU and the rest of Europe.
ONASA: Apart from trade business FIS is also engaged in production. Can you tell us what industries are these and in which volume do you conduct them?
GUDELJ: These are the production of furniture Ambyenta from solid wood, production of upholstered furniture, clothes for children Anbinni and production of GMS socks.
ONASA: In the decades long business, did you have support, understanding or incentive of the politics for your business given the fact that the number of people you employed and the fact that you became a trademark of a city and beyond?
GUDELJ: The support was modest, and from politicians I only expect that they do their job.
ONASA: Company FIS Vitez iz also recognizable for the fact that “it expands from day to day in every sense thanks to innovative ideas.” Are you preparing some surprises or projects for BiH public this year?
GUDELJ: There will be no surprises, we have plans for the next year but for now there are no surprises.
ONASA: You invested a lot into the Sports-recreation complex EKO-FIS Vlašic, and there are information that you plan to build a runway on Vlašić plateau?
GUDELJ: That is the plan for the future that is currently in working, and in this sense we expect support of the Travnik Municipality.
ONASA: As a highly successful businessman, how would you assess the current socio-political situation in terms of investment and do you believe that the existing political sets are ready to support those who are willing to invest their wealth and knowledge in BiH economy and, of course, employment?
GUDELJ: Listening and looking at what the media report, the situation is not great, due to bureaucratic hurdles several partners withdrew from investments with FIS, and the reason is the unstable situation in BiH.
There were individuals who were willing to support us who invest in BiH, but a lot more support from politics is needed.
ONASA: In our country there are periodic and sporadic mentioning of the need for amendment of the Law on PDV. How do you see this problem?
GUDELJ: I believe that the VAT on staple foodstuffs should be lower, and higher for luxury products.
ONASA: How much privileged are foreign investors in relation to local ones and do you believe that BiH is a fertile ground for both of them?
GUDELJ: I believe that local investors should have bigger privileges. (end)