Organized by the Ministry of Economy of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Thursday, 12. June 2025, at the Hotel Zenica in Zenica, the annual event “top 20” was held.
A round table was held, as part of the project entitled “Digitization of the CROCE Preparation and the preparation of collective digital promotional materials”. As part of the project, eight video presentations are presented, which are all industrial sectors present in Zenica-Doboj Canton.
According to the Cantonal Minister of Economy, Samir Šibonjić, who is also the initial idea of the institutional recognition of successful companies, such a manifestation has long been needed.
– This is the first time that someone institutionally rewards our most significant companies. For the first time, they were first awarded for contribution to development, investment, export and opening new jobs in the CCP. We want, on behalf of all citizens, to thank these people. This award, which is the name “Bosnian Royal Dukat”, is a symbol of the ZDK economy, which is the spine of the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina – said Sibonjić.
The President of the ZDK Chamber, Diana Babić, emphasized that the economy of this Canton is an accelerator of the development of the Federation of BiH and the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
– ZDK is a strategic important canton, which in the first quarter of 2025. year participated in the overall export of the FBiH from 19.9 percent and in the overall export of BiH with 12.3 percent – Babić said.
The awards were granted for five companies in the categories of micro, small and medium enterprises, and five largest exporters from the CCP. They handed them to the Minister of Economy Samir Šibonjić, Finance Minister Jenna Cišija and Minister of Labor, Social Policy and Refugees Antonio Šimunović and President of the Chamber of Commerce ZDK Diana Babić.
Receiving winners by categories
Micro Business: Kama doo Breza, Sea Way doo Zenica, Kosmopolit Travel Agency doo Zenica, Gaudi Travel doo Zenica and Biofood doo Usora.
Small businesses: PROTEXTIL doo Zenica, Startech doo Zenica, Sweet doo Zenica, Sinan Commerz doo Žepče and PZU Pharmacy Medica Kakanj.
Medium enterprises: KAM I BUS doo Doboj Jug, Dervishbegović doo Visoko, Toplana Zenica doo Zenica, IgM doo Visoko and Džananović transport doo Zenica.
The largest exporters: Arcelormittal Zenica doo Zenica, Natron-Hayat doo Maglaj, Mann + Hummel Ba dd Tešanj, Prevent Sewing doo High and Hifa-Oil doo Tešan.
CEO of Natron-Hayat from Maglaj, Omer Egilmez, Mann + Hummel Ba, Mahmut Galijašević, whose companies were awarded as the largest exporters, and the Government of the CC and the Chamber of Commerce on the Organization of Such Manifestation.
Natron-Hayat, as Egilmez, has invested 160 million euros so far, but continue with investments in BiH.
– Two weeks ago, we received approval for a new investment in BiH and we are moving into its implementation. The total value of the planned investments is 110 million KM. Our sales are 96 percent realized in exports, and the factory currently operates 850 people. With the companies we cooperate with, we have 1,500 employees in total – Egilmez said.
Mann + Hummel BA is celebrating 20 years of presence in BiH, reminded Galijašević.
– The business is stable, and we have many projects that we are currently implementing. 20 years ago Mann + Hummel represented one of the first investments, not only in BiH, but also in the region. Today, many investors come to the region, but, unfortunately, not in BiH. We’ve been here for 20 years. We started with 420, and we currently have about 800 employees and we are the largest employer in the municipality of Tešanj. Also, I must emphasize that we are the second largest German employer in BiH, “said Galijašević.
Minister Šibonjić reminded that the largest post-war investment was realized in this canton – Adriatic Metals mine in Vareš. He added that the ZDK leader in the production of chicken meat and the food industry, has strong oil companies, developed metal industry, and that the mining-energy potential is among the largest in the Western Balkans.
– Also, we have two most important economy fairs – Tešanj Fair and General BH Fair ZEPS, with Zeps the largest in the state.
But what is most important is that our people are capable and entrepreneurial, able to create a new value that makes them competitive in the market. That is why this annual economic manifestation is “the 20 best” crown of the efforts of all of them, and the Ministry on whose forefathers I was just recognized by all those achievements. That is why I am, as a minister, extremely happy and proud – the Minister Šibonjic concluded.
