International Economic Fair in Mostar Opened, Agreements on Cooperation Signed by HGK, State Office and GK FBiH

The International Economic Fair Mostar 2018 was opened on Tuesday in the city with the presence of numerous guests, including Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, along with calls for the establishment of better economic relations in the region as a way to overcome past problems, while Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić urged the establishment of a unified market in Southeast Europe with the aim of attracting larger investments.

“Divided into small states and even smaller markets, we have nothing to seek and hope for in relations with the world if we do not unite our small markets and create a much larger market in the future, and with such a market, everyone will want to cooperate,” said the President of Serbia while opening the Economic Fair in Mostar. He explained that the Mostar Fair demonstrates the need to eliminate barriers at borders, which are detrimental to the economies in the region.

>>> Plenković assessed that BiH is a Croatian state priority

“A unified market is necessary for investment. Here we are all partners. For our entrepreneurs, borders are just ballast. Therefore, I will continue to work on a unified market,” said the President of Serbia. He also added that many mistakes were made in the past and that cooperation now is “redemption for all the quarrels and nonsense made in the previous period.”

Croatian member of the BiH Presidency Dragan Čović assessed that the path towards the European Union is the most important goal for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and thanked the Prime Ministers of Croatia and Bulgaria, Andrej Plenković and Boyko Borisov, for their support. “Bulgaria is presiding over the European Council, and Croatia has done a lot to submit the application for candidate status and provide answers to the questionnaire to the European Commission. They helped us accelerate this path,” said the Croatian member of the BiH Presidency, adding that it is most important for BiH to stabilize its internal political conditions.

>>> Croatian Chamber of Economy opens office in Mostar

“BiH will stabilize if complete equality is ensured throughout the entire territory of BiH,” he added. The director of the Fair in Mostar, Dalfina Bošnjak, stated that around 800 exhibitors from twenty countries will be presented during the five days of the fair, which will last until April 14, and that various fair events will be held. This year’s partner country is Serbia. The Mostar Economic Fair is one of the most significant and most visited economic events in the region.

An agreement on cooperation between HGK, the State Office, and GK FBiH was signed

The leaders of the Central State Office for Croats outside the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian Chamber of Economy, and the Chamber of Commerce of the Federation of BiH signed an agreement on Tuesday in Mostar, on the sidelines of the opening of the international economic fair, which encourages even better cooperation between entrepreneurs from the two countries.

“Improving the business environment and strengthening economic cooperation is a common interest of Croatia and BiH. Therefore, we will work through our chamber systems to further improve bilateral relations, and this Agreement is an important step in that direction,” said the President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy Luka Burilović. The State Secretary of the Central State Office for Croats outside RH Zvonko Milas emphasized that Croats in BiH are the most important link for better cooperation between the two countries and that this office will support the connection of Croatian entrepreneurs.

>>> Plenković opens the Economic Fair in Mostar, Croatia partner country

“Croats in BiH, as leaders in many areas of life in this country, can be and are a good link in improving and strengthening economic cooperation between the two friendly countries,” said Milas. The President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Federation of BiH emphasized that this agreement will enable the use of HABOR funds and European funds.

“This is a window to the European Union from which, I hope, a new form of financing can emerge if our companies recognize this project and apply for financial resources that will be offered under very favorable conditions by HBOR in Croatia,” said Šantić. The Croatian Chamber of Economy opened a new office in Mostar yesterday through which stronger economic ties between the two countries should be encouraged.