The "INVEST FORUM" has exceeded all expectations. Banja Luka has been the business center of the region and the center of Europe this week, all thanks to the Investment and Development Bank of Republika Srpska, which, in collaboration with the Government of Republika Srpska, organized this Forum.
More than 300 participants, including entrepreneurs and potential investors from 22 countries – from the entire region, Europe, and Asia – came to get acquainted with Republika Srpska and our investment potentials. They are thrilled with the organization of the Forum and the hospitality in Republika Srpska.
All plans and desires have been exceeded – both in terms of the number of visits by foreign delegations and in terms of concrete agreements established during direct meetings between business leaders, as well as in discussions between potential investors and IRBRS (Investment and Development Bank of Republika Srpska) and the Government of Republika Srpska.
Acting Director of the Investment and Development Bank of Republika Srpska, Dražen Vrhovac, stated that investors have shown great interest in investing during the "INVEST FORUM." Among them are major global companies such as Socar Group, the Azerbaijani national oil company, the Turkish conglomerate "Doğuş Group," and Alcazar Energy from the United Arab Emirates.
During the Forum, final steps were taken for the opening of a factory for the production of automotive parts in Prnjavor by the reputable German company "Mubea." In the first phase, the factory is expected to employ 1,000 workers, with plans for an additional 500 employees. The investment is valued at 150 million euros.
Alcazar Energy from the United Arab Emirates has expressed interest in investing in Republika Srpska in the field of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy.
"An attractive business environment and a stimulating tax policy are the main motivations for investment. Companies from the East see Republika Srpska as an ideal gateway to Europe, as by investing in Republika Srpska, they gain access to markets with 600 million citizens based on free trade principles and agreements such as CEFTA, the Free Trade Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey, and the EFTA agreement," said Vrhovac.
Among the interested investors are Austrian company Infiniti Media, AIM Global Foundation from the United Arab Emirates, multiple Chinese companies from various sectors including trade, agriculture, finance, processing industries, and the IT sector.
He expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Forum, with its impressive number of participants and concrete agreements, confirmed that IRBRS has done serious and substantial work in promoting the potential of Republika Srpska in the past period.
"The Forum and the interest shown by companies in investing in Republika Srpska are the culmination of all the previous activities of the Investment and Development Bank of Republika Srpska. We continue to promote Republika Srpska in the best light possible to attract new investments and create new job opportunities," Vrhovac concluded.
