The economic symposium “Development of economic relations between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina – Sustainable new perspectives” was organized by the Foundation for Economic Research Istanbul, in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Chamber of Foreign Trade of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The symposium brought together representatives of chambers of commerce, institutions, investors and members of the business community from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey, with the aim of strengthening economic cooperation and opening new development perspectives.
President of the Foundation, prof. Ph.D. Ahmet Incekara emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina should be seen as the economic center of the Balkans and that the relations between the two countries should be transferred from the domain of emotions to the space of long-term and concrete projects.
At the opening of the meeting, Samir Šibonjić, Minister of Economy of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, also addressed the attendees, who in his address emphasized the importance of strengthening economic ties between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey, as well as the need to connect businessmen, exchange knowledge and investment partnerships that can contribute to the sustainable development of both societies.
– Cooperation with Turkey is not only friendly, but strategic. Our economy has enormous potential, and through joint projects we can create new jobs, increase exports and contribute to the stability and growth of our canton and the entire country. Without a strong economy, happy and satisfied workers, as well as entrepreneurs who want to invest, there is no strong state. Indeed, the example of the Republic of Turkey is the best in this sense. In less than two decades, this fraternal and friendly country of ours managed to achieve a complete turnaround in terms of growth and development, becoming an indispensable economic force in this region – said Minister Šibonjić.
The symposium is part of a wider initiative aimed at renewing and deepening economic relations between the two countries, ten years after the first gathering of this kind.
Šibonjić used the opportunity and once again invited domestic and Turkish companies to participate in the International General BH Trade Fair ZEPS 2026, the economic event of the year in Southeast Europe, to whose return he made an immeasurable contribution. The minister emphasized that ZEPS is an example of how to build domestic brands with international sign and importance.
