SARAJEVO, FEBRUARY 26 (ONASA) – The Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto, participated today, via video link, in the EBRD’s 10th anniversary summit on investment in the Western Balkans.
During her address, Chairperson Krišto spoke about the business climate in Bosnia and Herzegovina, benefits for foreign investors and regional projects.
She emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina is on the verge of opening negotiations with the EU and that we are a country that has achieved astonishing progress in improving the business environment over the past year through a strong reform process.
The chairwoman pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina is an open and desirable destination for foreign investments. She said that the comparative advantages of our country are a convenient geographical location, natural resources and beauty, a tradition of industrial production, a large number of available industrial zones, locations and production facilities, favorable legislation, low taxes, qualified labor force, a currency tied to the euro, numerous signed bilateral and regional agreements, the perspective of EU accession and post-investment programs for foreign investors. She noted that numerous foreign companies operate successfully in Bosnia and Herzegovina through 283 active investment projects, most of which are in the sectors of agriculture and food production, tourism and energy.
Chairwoman Krišto introduced the participants of the 10th EBRD summit on investment in the Western Balkans to the key priorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in regional projects related to infrastructural connection, green transition of the economy and development of rural areas.
She emphasized that the development of infrastructure is of key importance for economic development and connection with regional and European markets.
She pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina recognizes the importance of the green transition as a key element of sustainable development and modernization of the economy, and through active cooperation with partner countries and institutions strives to implement policies and projects aimed at achieving the goals of sustainable development and environmental protection.
She emphasized that projects focused on the development of rural areas through support for agriculture, tourism, rural entrepreneurship and rural infrastructure are very important for balanced regional development.
She assessed that these projects have the potential to significantly contribute to economic growth, sustainable development and strengthening the competitiveness of the BiH economy, and therefore should be supported and developed in accordance with European standards.
At the end of her address, the chairperson said that Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to work on achieving its priority goals in regional projects, striving to strengthen regional connectivity, sustainable development and stability of the region.