The Fifth Bosnia and Herzegovina Economic Forum ended

Building a more resilient environment and recovery as a priority in the new normal

The Fifth Bosnia and Herzegovina Economic Forum was held online on 27 April 2021. It was organized by the Faculty of Economics, University of Sarajevo and the Institute of Economics Sarajevo. The forum brought together more than 400 participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region, Europe and the world.

The introductory speeches were delivered by Faculty of Economics online, Prof. Dr. Jasmina Selimović, Head of the Delegation and Special Representative of the European Union in BiH Johann Sattler and BH Presidency Member, Šefik Džaferović.

“We share the same feeling of frustration and loneliness because we are personally and collectively deprived of the fundamental wills that are at the very foundation of our nature - the need to feel secure and the desire for freedom of movement. Efforts to preserve ourselves and others have transformed all aspects of our actions - communication and greetings, work and creation, the way we celebrate and how we regret. The year 2020 is also the year of new heroes, the superhuman strength of medical workers, scientific innovators and all individuals who subordinate their own daily care to others has been shown. However, we are united by the common hope that this will pass one day, that the terrible story of ours today will soon end and remain behind us as a great warning and lesson in the pages of history” said Dean Selimović.

“In order to accelerate growth and raise living standards in BiH, the authorities must accelerate the reforms they have committed to in economic reform programs as well as those listed in the European Commission's Opinion, including 66 socio-economic reform measures. A key element for progress is strengthening public investment, while focusing on infrastructure, green investment, health and education, and easing complex regulatory burdens. The EU is here to help, including through support in the recovery from the crisis caused by the pandemic,” said Ambassador Sattler.

BH Presidency Member Džaferović pointed out: “It is necessary to preserve the continuity of such forums, because the intellectual and scientific community must provide answers to all questions that our society is facing." People's health and lives are paramount, so restrictions have been introduced that have affected the economy, but ways should be sought to keep economic damage to a minimum even in these conditions. "

The Forum was organized in two panels with two keynote speakers - Gerry Jacobs, President of the World Academy of Sciences and Arts, and Ismail Serageldin, Vice President of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center. The keynote speaker and moderator of the first panel entitled “In Search for New Normal” was Prof. Dr. Zlatko Lagumdžija.

The conclusion of this panel referred to three key priorities of humanity in the coming period: saving lives and preventing the spread of the pandemic; protection of the poor and vulnerable through saving jobs and businesses; building a more resilient environment and recovery. All these priorities are activities that the world is already facing and which should certainly be the focus of all mankind.

Moderator of the second session, Faculty of Economics in Sarajevo professor, Dr. Fikret Čaušević, together with the main speaker Ismail Seregeldin and the panelists, concluded that the Millennium Development Goals and greening of the economy, defined in the European Green Plan in December 2019 and the Green Plan for the Western Balkans, are the main directions of economic development in the region and Europe as a whole. In addition, it is necessary to expand the measurement in the system of national accounting, i.e. the measurement of created wealth with full respect for the impact on the human environment.

The panelists of the 2021 Forum were distinguished domestic and international experts from the academic and business community. Among them are Phoebe Koundouri, a professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business; Igor Lukšić, Prime Minister of Montenegro 2010-2012; Sabina Silajdžić, professor at the Faculty of Economics in Sarajevo; Jan Fischer, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic 2009-2010; Belma Hadžiomerović, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications & Sustainability Management Raiffeisen BANK d.d. BiH; and Emir Žunić, Head of the Department for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Infostudio.

The Economic Forum of BiH 2021 was organized in cooperation with: the Foundation of the Society of Common Values, Nizami Ganjavi International Center and the World Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Partners of the Economic Forum BiH 2021 are: Raiffeisen Bank d.d. Bosnia and Herzegovina, BH Telecom, Council of Foreign Investors in BiH, Kakanj cement - Heidelberg Cement Group, FBiH Banking Agency, City of Sarajevo, Municipality of Centar, Municipality of Novo Sarajevo, Municipality of Ilidža, Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH, Pharmacy Al-Hana, Dolfarm, Infostudio.

Media partners of the Forum are: Business Magazine, Dnevni Avaz, RSG, Antena Sarajevo, TVSA and the portal radiosarajevo.ba.