The Cantonal Agency for Attracting Investments and Privatization (KAIP) has established cooperation with the Office of the Government of Catalonia and the Catalan Agency for Competitiveness and International Business – ACCIÓ, with the aim of strengthening investment promotion activities and improving the business environment in Sarajevo Canton.
On this occasion, a meeting was held in Zagreb with KAIP director Adnan Jašarević, and Amra Hašimbegović, assistant director for investments, with the representative of the Office of the Government of Catalonia for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alexander Fernandez Llopart, and the representative of the ACCIÓ agency, Jorge Salgada, where the possibilities of institutional cooperation were agreed upon and concrete steps were defined to attract investors from Catalonia to Canton Sarajevo.
During the meeting, common courses of action were agreed, which include the exchange of information, promotion of investment projects, direct connection of business entities, as well as the organization of future business meetings and visits of potential investors from Catalonia.
The economic strength of Catalonia, which represents the most developed and economically strongest region of Spain, with more than 20 percent of the country’s total GDP, a strong export-oriented economy, developed industry, technology and innovation, and Barcelona as one of the leading business and investment centers of southern Europe, is particularly highlighted.
As part of the meeting, a presentation of investment potentials and specific projects in Sarajevo Canton was held, with an emphasis on the comparative advantages of investing in Sarajevo, including a favorable geostrategic position, available and qualified workforce, low tax rate, support for investments and employment, competitive business costs, and growing sectors such as IT, tourism, energy, industry and services.
Representatives of Catalan institutions expressed their firm readiness and clear interest in investment and cooperation, stressing that they recognize significant opportunities for investment and development of numerous sectors in Sarajevo Canton, as well as the potential for long-term partnership.
During the conversation, the traditionally strong relationship between Sarajevo and Catalonia was particularly emphasized, dating back to the period of aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, when Catalonia and the City of Barcelona provided significant humanitarian, institutional and social aid to Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, continuing this support in the post-war period.
The established cooperation represents an important step towards strengthening the international visibility of Sarajevo Canton as an attractive investment destination and confirms KAIP’s commitment to strategic connection with the most developed European regions, the agency announced.
