Bosnia expects record participants to 'Balkan Davos'

BELGRADE, Serbia

Bosnia and Herzegovina is expecting a record number of participants to the 10th Sarajevo Business Forum (SBF).

The SBF is a major business conference in Bosnia dubbed the ‘Balkan Davos’ where Turkey plays a prominent role.

The forum will be held in Bosnia's capital Sarajevo on April 17-19.

Anadolu Agency is the global communications partner for the event.

It will set the scene for exchanges between top government officials and key business figures in Bosnia, as well as other countries in the Balkans.

Amer Bukvic, CEO of Bosna Bank International, told Anadolu Agency that the number of participants are increasing every year.

"This year, at the 10th forum, we are expecting a record number of about 2,000 participants," he said.

He went on to say the SBF is in fact a large partnership project of the public and private sector, that is why the business forum is organized under the auspices of the Presidency of Bosnia, with support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sarajevo Municipality and Chambers of Commerce.

"Bosnia Herzegovina had a serious problem in terms of investment projects. It was not possible to offer investors a tangible project, when they come to the country. By focusing on this, we have created the necessary environment to meet investors with projects," said Bukvic.

He added that this year the forum focuses on the whole region as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"We are trying to make the region a single economy under the slogan of 'One region-one economy'," said Bukvic.

He said Turkey has deep ties with the region as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"This should be mutual. There is an intense pressure on Turkey. We need to be better prepared for Turkey. Because they do not have the luxury to spend too much time. Therefore, our bureaucracy and business projects need to be ready when Turkish people come. Bosnia and the region always need to be ready. Because, strong Turkey means strong Bosnia," he said.

Bukvic added that through credit lines provided by Turkey thousands of people have jobs in Bosnia Herzegovina.

The Sarajevo Business Forum has been held since 2010 in a collaborative effort by Bosna Bank International and Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank.