Economic Forum of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2017, held on February 9th 2017, is the first event of this type which has managed to gather at one place government representatives of business and academic community in B&H, which have a shared goal of economic and business improvement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This event has multiple values for BH society due to the evidence that for the first time at one place through open dialogue, government, real and public sector, each from its own angle of functioning, have had a chance to discuss problems and opportunities with which they encounter.

Forum was organized by School of Economics and Business, University of Sarajevo (SEBS) and it is first in the series of events which marks 65 years of existence of this school. Event was attended by 500 participants, over 50 media organizations and 25 speakers. Conference was launched by the chairman of Presidency of B&H Mladen Ivanić, chairman of Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdić and Prime Minister of Government in Canton Sarajevo Elmedin Konaković.

Chairman of Presidency of B&H, Mladen Ivanić, had an opening statement. In the focus of his speech was the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is economy and reforms which according to his assessment should have preference over other political questions.
“Reforms must be implemented in a professional and integral mode, fully, must be based on the outstanding practices and must have planned dynamics which will enable adjustment and adaption of business community and state administration, which in final indicates preservation of macroeconomic stability and strengthening the competitiveness. “ – stated by Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Denis Zvizdić.

Elmedin Konaković has spoken on behalf of Canton Sarajevo and Assembly of Canton, as founder of University of Sarajevo: “School of Economics and Business, which is a member of University of Sarajevo, is one of the initiators of academic community and economic processes in the area of Canton Sarajevo. I am especially pleased that today, in this meeting, on this forum we speak about economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am glad that we are opening issues about economy in B&H in this particular way.”
“It is extremely important to initiate, in this manner, conversation between representatives of real and public sector, along with active members of academic community. Various positive examples exist in B&H, which we must affirm and about which we must actively discuss “- pointed out by Dean of School of Economics and Business, Kemal Kozarić.      

General conclusion of participants of the first Economic Forum B&H would be that in 2017. economic issues must be a priority.

Photos can be found HERE.

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