Zvizdić: To Focus Future Cooperation at Fostering Economic Development of BIH

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BIH Dr Denis Zvizdić and Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BIH Mirko Šarović received in Sarajevo a delegation of the Qatari Development Fund, led by Fund Executive Director Musfar Hamad al-Shahwani. 

Chairman Zvizdić informed the Qatari delegation of the current political developments and economic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He said that BIH is extremely interested for cooperation and that this visit represents a continuation of friendly cooperation and good relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar.

The meeting discussed possibilities of cooperation and investment into Bosnia and Herzegovina’s economy by establishing a Fund of Qatari Friendship. The aim of the Fund would be crediting to incite primarily young people with business ideas and to boost development of SMEs.

“Our focus is SMEs and improved employment among young and educated people. The Fund of Qatari Friendship would be focused at strengthening of economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina. BIH has young people capable to develop businesses, and I am sure that you will get convinced into that soon”, said Chairman Zvizdić during the meeting.

Director of the Fund Musfar Hamad Al-Shahwani informed the meeting of the operations of the Qatari Development Fund, saying that its task is to assist developing countries to improve their economies and implement development programmes though lending operations, grants, technical assistance intended for both economic and social development”.

Director Al-Shahwani said that three areas were defined which are interested to the Fund, namely: support to the state in terms of infrastructure, SMEs and small businesses inceptive micro-crediting . He said that the Qatar Development Fund wants to transfer its considerable business experiences to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be the direction of its future work.

Chairman Zvizdić and Minister Šarović proposed a business forum for Qatari businessmen, to be held in Qatar, where BIH investment projects would be presented.

Chairman Zvizdić invited the Qatari Development Fund to take part in a business forum to be held in May in Sarajevo, with the participation of 16 South-East Europe and Western Balkan countries and the People’s Republic of China.

They agreed that BIH is a country of usable potentials and prospective partner for high-quality sustainable investments.

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