MOSTAR, MAY 2 (ONASA) – The International Economic Fair has started in Mostar, where exhibitors from 30 countries are presented.
The fair was opened by the director of the fair, Delfina Bošnjak.
She said that this is a confirmation of the importance of the event and to all the participants of this project.
“We are honored because Israel is a partner and this is one step in developing relations with BiH and will result in investments in our country. This event should be a driving force for development forces,” Bošnjak said.
The mayor of Mostar, Mario Kordnić, said that he hopes that the guests from the City of Light, as Ivo Anadrić spoke about it, will take memories with them.
“This is one of the most important fair events in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Kordić.
He added that one of the reasons why Mostar is progressing is a stable and safe business environment, and that Mostar is an example of positive things in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“It is not said that capital does not like uncertainty,” said Kordic.
He reminded that they have done a lot in the past two and a half years to achieve political progress, he believes that connecting is what should be done, to develop the regional cooperation that is needed for stability.
He added that together with the City Council, the city and everyone, we should persist in promoting Bosnia and Herzegovina in the world, and promote our diversity as an advantage.
At the opening of the fair, the newly appointed Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, Nermin Nikšić, said that we are in a time of many challenges, and that today we increasingly need initiatives on integration and connection.
“The economy is key to integration, that’s why the fair in Mostar is important. The presence of the prime ministers of Serbia and Croatia sends an important positive message on mutual cooperation on both sides of the border,” said Nikšić.
He emphasized the presence of international representatives as a message that we are welcome in the European Union.
“In order to successfully deal with the problems, we all need to cooperate together, we within BiH, the region and the EU and the world,” said Nikšić.
He underlined that Israel is one of the important world economies and that we need to build closer relations with them, adding that there are many challenges ahead of us, and the fair in Mostar is an event that is a good example.
He also reminded that according to data from the World Bank, BiH is recovering more slowly after COVID, the risk of poverty is increasing, and that exports are declining.
“These are trends that we have to work on. One of the problems that everyone is worried about and that they are facing is the emigration of the population, and it is the biggest pandemic that has hit us and is ongoing. It is the white plague,” said Nikšić.
In the end, he emphasized that the networks of cooperation that are woven today never unravel.
The Prime Minister of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, said that she was pleased to come to Mostar again.
She pointed out that 14 business entities from various sectors are coming from Serbia.
“I am coming with reinforcements from the Assembly of Serbia, MP Milimir Vujadinović is here. He is the president of the friendship group with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the assembly, and this shows the importance we attach to the Mostar fair and the relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entire region”.
Brnabić pointed out that bilateral cooperation between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina has doubled in the last 10 years.
“When you look at how important the BiH market is to us from Serbia’s perspective, you can see that BiH is Serbia’s second exporting partner, and Germany is the first. BiH is so important to us.”
Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Croatia, highlighted several important things that happened in Bosnia and Herzegovina, namely the candidate status for EU membership, the decision of the High Representative and the formation of the FBiH Government.
For any progress, it is necessary for political institutions to ensure political stability, and this is a prerequisite for development, Plenković emphasized.
“Precisely these large-scale developments, which include the formation of the FBIH Government, give a big sign that it is time for more development in front of BIH.”
Croatia is an important strategic partner of BiH, both politically and economically, he said.
“The exchange amounts to 4 billion euros and has increased by 50 percent, and this year’s numbers already show that it is higher by 10 percent, and this means that our orientation towards each other will be increasing. We hope that the companies of both countries in neighboring countries to do business as well as possible.”
So far, we have invested 1.3 billion euros in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we will continue to do so.
“Starting tomorrow, we are resuming the direct line between Mostar and Zagreb, by plane. Three times a week. I think it will contribute to better economic exchange”.
Plenković also announced a joint session of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of Croatia on June 20 in Zagreb. In the end, he said that Croatia is the most committed lawyer of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Brussels.