The Republic of Indonesia is the partner country, and the city of Cazin is the partner city of this year’s 18th International Trade Fair Tešanj – BiH, which was officially opened today in Matuzići (Municipality of Doboj Jug). The fair has gathered 611 exhibitors from 15 countries, reports klix.ba.
The organizer of the fair, which will close on September 28, is traditionally the Business Association “Business Center” Jelah-Tešanj.
The president of the association, Saća Prnjavorac, welcomed officials from all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad, as well as exhibitors, guests, and visitors to the fair, which is held on about 25,000 square meters of exhibition space, including approximately 7,000 square meters of indoor exhibition space.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Denis Zvizdić, emphasized that the Tešanj fair has continued to grow and has become an “essential destination on the map of trade fairs in BiH, the region, and beyond.”
Zvizdić stressed the need to ensure political stability and commitment to economic reforms, as well as the economic integration of the countries of the Western Balkans region and the continuation of the path towards full European integration, which “requires serious structural, economic, and other reforms,” but also offers numerous opportunities for stability and progress.
“In this process, you entrepreneurs can play an equally significant, if not more important role than ministers or parliamentarians. You have enough knowledge and experience, you know exactly what you want, and you know the best practices and most efficient solutions.
You just need to be persistent in ensuring the necessary legislation is adopted and a better environment for growth and development, greater productivity, and better jobs is secured. What is needed at this moment is your positive influence and pressure on ruling policies to adopt the necessary reforms that are part of the European Union’s plan for the Western Balkans, specifically for BiH,” Zvizdić said.
The Minister of Defense in the Council of Ministers of BiH, Zukan Helez, highlighted that the Tešanj fair has grown into a respectable trade exhibition that connects business people, economic entities, and visionaries and opens new perspectives.
“Every year, every fair has been a step forward in creating new business opportunities and strengthening economic ties. This year’s fair brings a record number of exhibitors, entrepreneurs from BiH and abroad, public companies, representatives of chambers of commerce, and international organizations.
The Tešanj fair today is one of the best models for showcasing the economy of BiH and demonstrating its strength and commitment to regional and international cooperation,” said Helez, adding that this year’s fair comes at a very important moment when BiH has opened negotiations with the EU and made a significant step towards European integration.
The Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, Nermin Nikšić, expressed his pleasure in seeing how the Tešanj fair is becoming more significant on the regional map of business gatherings, expressing his belief that it will become an even more important event in the future.
“The fair is a meeting place for business leaders, a place for connecting business visions, innovations for a better future, exchanging ideas, and opportunities for business growth. When it comes to Tešanj, I would comment as follows: Tešanj and the entrepreneurs of this area do not need significant advice on how to start, create, and sustain a business. This is a true industrial region, and I dare say, a center of business ventures. Nothing is left to chance here, which is why the results are what they are and why the success is concrete,” said Nikšić, noting that he is aware that doing business in BiH is not simple.
However, he emphasized that the Government of the Federation of BiH, since its appointment, has taken “a series of steps to ease and relax the business environment.”
“I know that fiscal laws are of particular interest to all of you. But, let me also say, I would love to know: How much, in the meantime, has the government’s Decree on the payment of non-taxable aid by employers been respected?! Let’s see how much employers have thought about their workers!
The decree is a transitional solution until the final adoption of fiscal laws, and its implementation strengthens the synergy between the government and employers on the path to this comprehensive reform. It is further proof that we understand each other,” said Nikšić.
The Prime Minister of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Nezir Pivić, emphasized that Tešanj is an economic center and, for the next four days, will be the main business news.
“A local showcase of the achievements of the economy here has grown into a respectable international fair in 18 years. Therefore, a special welcome to the foreign exhibitors, and may you take away the best memories from our Tešanj, our ZDK, and our BiH, and may your participation in the fair be very beneficial, with new partnerships and good business agreements,” Pivić said, noting that the ZDK region is a leader in industrial production and exports in BiH.
The Ambassador of Indonesia to BiH, Roem Kono, reminded that this year’s participation of his country at the Tešanj fair coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and BiH.
“Today’s meeting is the first step in opening opportunities for entrepreneurs from BiH to discuss everything and to familiarize themselves with the potential Indonesia has,” Kono said. He emphasized that they want to strengthen cooperation in all sectors.
They are particularly interested, he said, in cooperation in the field of infrastructure and the defense industry, as well as technology transfer. Adriana Mesarović, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Serbia, also expressed a desire to develop cooperation with entrepreneurs from the Tešanj region and BiH.
The central theme of the fair, which will also be the subject of a panel discussion, will be carbon emissions in exported products from BiH. During the fair, the Chamber of Commerce of the Federation of BiH and the Public Enterprise Motorways of FBiH will also organize panel discussions in their respective areas.