The Director of the Department for Policy Strategies and Implementation at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Christoph Denk, told FENA that the institution is ready to prepare studies on the expansion of the Internet in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to finance the process.
He pointed out that currently, the price of internet in BiH is twice as high as in the EU countries, while at the same time, internet speeds are much lower, and that there is a lot of potential for the introduction of faster and cheaper internet.
“I came to Sarajevo to see how the EBRD can help Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans in digitalizing the economy. Digitalization is the main driving force behind economic development and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s integration into the European Union,” said Denk.
He added that he held a successful meeting with the Minister of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Edin Forto, where they agreed on the importance of developing digital infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which includes the expansion of the Internet in rural areas.
Denk emphasized that at the conference ‘Investing in digitalization in the Western Balkans’, which is being organized today in Sarajevo together with the European Investment Bank and the Regional Cooperation Council, special consideration will be given to how to support the digitalization of the private sector.
He explained that the EBRD and the EU are particularly advocating for the digitalization of small companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and together with local banks through the ‘Go Digital’ program, funds will be provided for that process.
Denk stated that they are also implementing an advisory program to support the digitalization of companies and that he held a successful meeting with representatives of the MDG company, which significantly improved its export strategy thanks to that program.
“It was inspiring to see such success stories, how companies expand their operations and increase profits thanks to digitalization,” said Denk, Fena reports.
