The 25th International Business Fair has started in Mostar, where 800 exhibitors from 30 countries of the region and the European Union will present themselves.
The fair was opened by the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković.
On that occasion, Plenković said that the presence of numerous Croatian companies at the International Economic Fair in Mostar shows the close connection between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which in economic terms is best manifested at the Mostar Fair.
According to him, the trade exchange between the two countries last year was slightly less than 4 billion euros.
“BiH is among the top five export markets for the Republic of Croatia and the second country in terms of investments by Croatian companies. The intertwining and connection of our two countries, geographical and each other, is such that there is practically no important traffic route that is not connected to our two countries and therefore I want the remaining parts of corridor 5c to be defined as soon as possible, which will connect our two countries from Budapest, through Osijek and to Ploče through that European direction,” Plenković said.
The Mostar Fair, as one of the most recognizable symbols of Mostar and Herzegovina, is and should be one of the drivers of economic development in BiH, said the director of this fair, Dalfina Bošnjak, opening the 25th International Business Fair.
Bošnjak pointed out that the event is being held in the atmosphere of the beginning of BiH’s accession negotiations with the EU, which will have enormous positive effects on the economy and life in general.
She pointed out that in the next five days of the fair, exhibitors from 30 countries will present themselves, and that a large number of useful thematic conferences, expert meetings, round tables, and other important events will be held.
Bošnjak thanked Croatia, which she stated has been the most important partner since the beginning of this manifestation, and added that many companies from that country used this fair to enter the BiH market.
The Mayor of Mostar, Mario Kordić, said that today this city is an example and leader of positive processes in BiH in numerous segments, as well as that they want to create the conditions for Mostar and BiH to become a better place to live.
In his address at the opening of this year’s Mostar fair, Kordić stated that it is happening at a special moment, when Bosnia and Herzegovina received the green light from the EU to start negotiations on membership, which is a significant moment that opens up perspectives, but poses great challenges and obligations.
Kordić thanked the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, who, according to him, created another bridge of cooperation between BiH and Serbia by establishing an air line between Belgrade and Mostar.
“Thank you very much for supporting this project,” said Kordić.
He clarified that the country is a partner of this year’s fair Croatia, and thanked the Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who, as he said, with his arrival once again testifies and confirms that Bosnia and Herzegovina has no greater advocate than Croatia on the way to the EU.
“With four headquarters, Zagreb, Belgrade, Rome and Munich, Mostar is now connected to Europe and the whole world, and this gives us the assumption that the Mostar airport will be a strong driver of the development of Mostar and Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Kordić.
Products from the metal and construction, agricultural, food, automotive and other industries, as well as the service sector, from banking to tourism, are traditionally presented at the Mostar Fair.
During the duration of the fair, sub-fair events, tourism fair, wine fair, IT technology fair will be held, and international business meetings are also planned.
As part of the rich accompanying program, there will be fashion days, numerous workshops on various topics, fair quizzes and the like.
The fair will be open until Saturday, April 20.
The opening was also attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, RS President Milorad Dodik, FBiH Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić, FBiH President Lidija Bradara, Head of the EU Delegation to BiH Johan Sattler and former High Representative for BiH Miroslav Lajčak, BHRT writes.
Photo: BHRT/Sanela Gaković
