prijava
SARAJEVO, December 3 (FENA) – Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, Fadil Novalić, said today at the Business Forum of the FBiH Chamber of Commerce in Sarajevo that the BiH automotive industry has a long tradition, and that this sector is characterized by dynamic development and strong export orientation.
"We are country that has experience in automotive manufacturing industry. We all remember the manufacture of golf in Sarajevo, and automotive industry included the entire industry that FAMOS was in charge for. Even today, 30 years after the war devastated that industry, we have a good foundation and good experience. New automotive industry that has the character of a supplier to the Western automotive industry came from this base. However, it cannot be overlooked that we have all prerequisites for the automotive industry such as experience which is basic, proximity to the European market, and eminent suppliers with good standards. Also, we cannot ignore the fact that despite predictions that went mostly negative or crises that occurred in that industry, even after 130 years, it does not cease to be the greatest engine of economic growth in the world," said Novalić.
FBiH Prime Minister added that we export two-thirds of the products in Germany and Austria, and the majority are automotive products and thus we feel every recession in Western Europe.
"We have also felt it on our economy last year because the gross export balance has changed for 800 million KM and this immediately affects our economic opportunities. However, Germany showed +0.1 percent growth in the last quarter, so we are optimistic that it will get out of this recession," said Novalić.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in BiH Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedov stated that UNDP supports the economic development of BiH, and that automotive industry is one of the important economic sectors in BiH. He added that 90 percent of the sector's production goes to exports, employing 11,000 people.
"It shows that this sector is extremely important, both for employment and for export," Khoshmukhamedov pointed out.
UNDP has developed a study on the BiH auto industry, which analyzes trends and development opportunities. Khoshmukhamedov said that the study will be presented in this forum and it is very important that BiH authorities take into account findings and recommendations of the study for the further development of this branch.
"One of the important segments of the study are technological changes that are happening in this industry, as well as how these achievements can be applied in BiH," added Khoshmukhamedov.
One of the topics of this year's Business Forum will be attracting significant investments in BiH through potentials and opportunities that our country offers to investors. Also, the perspective of the automotive industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the world will be discussed. Special attention will be given to regional representatives of the world's leading companies in the automotive industry, as well as representatives of companies working on the development of the most current technologies in the world, such as driving a virtual vehicle.
Representatives of reputable automotive companies, governments, non-governmental and international organizations, as well as international experts participate in the Business Forum. The Business Forum is held under the auspices of the Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and with the sponsorship of the USAID WHAM Project, UNDP, as well as Porsche BH, Hager Bosnia and Cromex d.o.o.
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