The Žepče Development Agency successfully organized the 11th Economic Forum of the Municipality of Žepče under the motto “Be IN: Innovate, invest and internationalize”.
The Žepče Development Agency successfully organized the 11th Economic Forum of the Municipality of Žepče under the motto “Be IN: Innovate, invest and internationalize”. This traditional entrepreneurial event brought together numerous entrepreneurs, investors and representatives of local authorities with the aim of stimulating the development of the local economy. The sponsor of the event was the Municipality of Žepče, and the partner project “Local Economic Development” financed by the Government of Switzerland. The gathering was greeted by the municipal mayor Mato Zovko, the director of the Žepče Development Agency Branka Janko and the director of Caritas Switzerland Anna Goss. Letters of support were sent by the President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Lidija Bradara, Minister of the Federal Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts Vojin Mijatović and Ćazim Huskić, Chairman of the Assembly of Zenica-Doboj Canton.
STRENGTHENING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF LOCAL ENTERPRISES
The main theme of this year’s forum was strengthening the competitiveness of local companies through innovation, attracting investment and internationalizing business. As part of the rich program, participants had the opportunity to take part in panel discussions, workshops and B2B meetings.
“The Žepče Development Agency organizes this forum in order to encourage entrepreneurs to improve their products and services, attract new investments and expand their business to international markets,” said the director of the Agency, Branka Janko.
In two panel discussions, the challenges, opportunities and limitations that small businesses have when it comes to innovation and exports as drivers of their growth and development were discussed. Participants of the panel entitled “Innovations in small business (not) a realistic development perspective!” there were representatives of the companies “Dizart” doo Sarajevo, “Magbago” doo Bijeljina, “TEAM CNC” doo Kalesija, startup “BPARCO” Sarajevo and “Investicije fondacija Impakt”. The general conclusion is that innovations are a realistic perspective for the development of small businesses, but they need comprehensive support – from a change in mentality, through institutional and infrastructural support, to the strengthening of entrepreneurial and innovation competencies.
”EXPORT AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH”
The focus of the discussion of the second panel, entitled “Export as an opportunity for growth”, was on the importance of exporting for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as on the challenges that enterprises face during internationalization. Panel participants representatives of the companies “SAGA” doo Žepče, “STAUKO KOZIJNEN” BV Den Haag (Netherlands), “PEROTEH” GmbH Tresdorf (Austria), Eldar Hodžić (Qatar), Administration for Indirect/Indirect Taxation of BiH, Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH and Sparkasse Bank dd BiH said that exports represent a significant opportunity for growth and development, but that there are also numerous challenges that need to be systematically solved through support and the exchange of good practices. Companies from the Netherlands, Austria and Qatar shared their experiences of working in foreign markets and invited domestic entrepreneurs to joint projects to create new values, which contribute to successful business and a better environment for all citizens.
Special emphasis at the 11th Economic Forum of the Municipality of Žepče was placed on the presentation of successful entrepreneurial stories as inspiration for all company participants by Izudin Ahmetlić, owner of “HIFA-OIL” doo Tešanj, Snježane Köpruner, director of “GS-TMT” doo Travnik and Zlatko Oršolić. , owner of “YIMOR” doo Domaljevac. Edin Mehić, a successful Bosnian entrepreneur, investor and co-founder of Blumteq – the first AI-first company in the Balkans, had the opportunity to share his valuable experiences and insights on how artificial intelligence can be helpful in starting, developing and selling businesses, and optimizing key business processes. The presenter and moderator of the panel discussion was Una Bejtović, owner of the Bejtovic Communications agency, which deals with public relations from Sarajevo.
COMMON MESSAGES
From the 11th Economic Forum of the Municipality of Žepče, joint messages were sent in the direction of the need for tax incentives and financing programs for companies that invest in research and development, greater availability of risk capital and stronger cooperation with universities, which will provide entrepreneurs with the necessary funds and expertise for the development of innovative solutions. Such initiatives require the cooperation of key stakeholders – local authorities, the business sector, the academic community and development institutions.
Numerous domestic and international organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina provided support with their arrival; Ministry of Economy ZDK, Chambers of Commerce of the Federation of BiH and Ze-do Cantons, associations of entrepreneurs, the Federal Employment Agency and Labor Bureau Žepče, the Agency for the Promotion of Foreign Investments in BiH, the Administration for Indirect Taxation of BiH, the Development Bank of the Federation of BiH, USAID LGAA and USAID Diaspora, development agencies, municipalities and cities in BiH, and numerous small and medium-sized enterprises.
The media sponsors were: BHRT-Radiotelevision of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federal TV, Radio Television of Herceg Bosne, Naša riječ, BiznisInfo, Akta.ba and Radio Žepče.
As part of the 11th Economic Forum of the municipality of Žepče, the works of participants of the art colony HKUD “Naša baština” Globarica with gifted children from primary schools named “Marija Bonić” and the art works of participants of the painting school of the Citizens’ Association “Mrlja” were presented. Users of the JU Center for Children and Adults with Special Needs ZDK services presented their works as part of occupational therapy at the Žepče Day Care Center.
Source: akta.ba
