The online platform “Diaspora Connecting”, which, among other things, connects the BiH diaspora worldwide through an interactive map, facilitates cooperation, information exchange and the placement of BiH products on the global market, and strengthens institutional ties with BiH, was presented today at the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH (PSBiH).
The results, next steps and goals of the Bosna International Forum (BIF) project were also presented. This is a project that has been analyzing and working on establishing relations between the BiH diaspora and BiH in all sectors and directions, encompassing all layers of society, for ten years.
The Chairman of the Mixed Club of Deputies in the House of Representatives of the PSBiH, Jasmin Emrić, addressed the media, emphasizing why it is significant that this event is organized in the PSBiH building.
“This creates another opportunity to send a message that, despite objective and subjective institutional weaknesses, there is a will to open up various forms of improving communication and institutional cooperation with our very numerous and successful diaspora,” he said.
He recalled that in terms of the legislative framework at the state level, the Council of Ministers of BiH made a decision in 2017 to adopt a policy on cooperation with the diaspora.
With this policy, the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH is tasked with reporting annually to the Council of Ministers on the implementation of the policy on cooperation with the diaspora, and after eight years, its results have been summarized.
“A decision has not yet been made on the adoption of a framework strategy for cooperation with the diaspora for the period 2024-2028 and an action plan, because the entity governments have not submitted their opinions,” Emrić stated.
However, he emphasized as a positive fact that the Council of Ministers of BiH appointed an inter-ministerial working group at the beginning of the year to draft a law on cooperation with the diaspora, expressing hope that the proposal will soon be submitted to the legislative procedure and thus regulate the legal framework for this cooperation.
In addition, he added, it is also positive that the Ministry has established partnerships through a memorandum of cooperation with a total of 76 local self-government units in BiH.
He recalled that the Council of Ministers adopted the criteria for awarding recognition to expatriates and their organizations in 2018, but that in 2023 it did not adopt the proposal of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, which, Emrić points out, is disappointing.
Since the recognitions are awarded every two years, he said that it is expected that this will be corrected during this year, as a sign of respect for the diaspora above political divisions.
Hasib Hadžić, president of the Bosna International Forum, who has been working for many years on the analysis and establishment of a network and cooperation between the BiH diaspora and institutions in BiH, also addressed the media.
“Unfortunately, so far we do not have institutional data or any reliable, precise base when it comes to our people in the world, and that is something that has been missing until now,” he pointed out.
He explained that a model for connecting business communities and individuals of BiH origin around the world via an interactive map has been developed through an online platform.
In addition, by registering, users receive precise information about businesses, along with navigation, descriptions and the possibility of achieving benefits through the use of the platform, which further strengthens the network of the BiH diaspora.
“On the other hand, through the platform we have also launched a service for the diaspora where our people around the world would have one address, one service where they would address their needs from information to services through which inquiries from the local community level would be further placed,” he added.
So far, Hadžić says, they have established a network that includes around 30 local communities and connects all levels of government, from municipalities to state institutions, including ministries and the Presidency of BiH.
“When it comes to institutionally connecting our people, our primary goal is to strengthen BiH institutions focused on the diaspora through this platform,” he said.
The platform allows businesses to register as members of the BiH Diaspora Business Union, in order to cooperate with each other and place BiH goods and services globally.
Also, by registering individuals, the aim is to establish a database of BiH citizens around the world, especially experts and academics, who can contribute to the development and promotion of BiH abroad.
The owner of the Slovenian company SAS ELEKTRO Smajo Barjaktarević said that entrepreneurs have recognized the platform as a way to help themselves, strengthen their path and support people from BiH, both individuals and entrepreneurs.
“The platform is a bridge for our diaspora and our country,” he said.
Hajrudin Jusić, co-owner of the Edeka chain in Germany, believes that it is crucial for BiH to connect as much as possible and build mutual trust.
He noted that BiH has great human and production potential that should be used through common interest and cooperation, and that this will help individuals, small communities and the economy as a whole.
He concluded that BiH has great export potential to the EU market, but that better cooperation and networking with Western partners are lacking, Preporod writes.
