David Petraeus first visited Sarajevo during the war, and now returns as the president of the institute “KKR Global Institute”. During his speech at the Sarajevo Business Forum he explained his brave move to invest billions in the countries of former Yugoslavia. He says this was a way to encourage others who are thinking about investing in this region. Petraeus says he never doubted his decision.
”The answer is obvious. We would not have invested 1.2 billion dollars in the countries of the former Yugoslavia if we did not believe that these investments will succeed and grow, and that the investors will earn even more money”
Petraeus believes that political and economic stability, as well as transparency, is attracting investments. To make it easier for investors we need true reforms and increased proximity with the European Union. Although there is so much more to do in BiH, he admits that the results of the reform can already be seen.
”There must be more reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in other countries that are not yet members of the EU. EU accession requires the implementation of many reforms that help investors in those countries.”
Although sometimes it seems like BiH has progressed slowly, Petraeus underlined that it is often forgotten how Sarajevo blossomed during the last twenty years.
Considerable resources have been invested in the first regional news platform N1, whose aim, says Petraeus, is to enable citizens to get objective information, and a space for the development of democratic values.
”N1 encourages objective journalism and reporting based on facts and truth. There is no place for political and partisan influences. This is great for any country and region, but is particularly important for a region like BiH which went through a war. Countries like these are undergoing a transition from the former system to democracy and the free market,” said Petraeus.
(Source: NAP)
