The second Jahorina Economic Forum officially started with over 400 participants, high officials from BiH and the region, representatives of the academic community, the corporate sector, diplomatic corps, the EU Delegation, EU Parliament, as well as delegates from Greece, China, and other countries.
“We must be aware that we have an unfavorable structure of the economy and small businesses, but we must be the winners of these turbulent problems. It will not be easy, but I am sure that the Forum will help in finding the best solutions that can help the RS and BiH,” said the President of the Organizing Committee of the 2nd Economic Forum Jahorina, Goran Racic, at the opening ceremony.
Head of EU Delegation in BiH, Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, noted that citizens of BiH have to think on the local level because the majority of workplaces are generated there, in the small and medium enterprises.
“The growth of 3 % is not bad, but the whole region still must have higher economic growth. BiH should join the World Trade Organization and get the support of its members. You have to trade with everyone. The initiative of Prime Minister of Serbia to unite markets in the Western Balkans is very important. You have the full support of the EU to become a WTO member as soon as possible. BiH needs to trade as much as possible, it needs higher exports. Serbia managed to halve its unemployment rate and it should be done here as well,” said Wigemark.
It is expected for the Forum to become a traditional gathering and to take its place among the leading business events of this type in the region, and also to help businessmen and representatives of BiH in the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience that can help in creating a better business environment, attracting new investments and the overall economic development, both of the RS and BiH.
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