The Austrian-Serbian Business Forum has started on Jahorina, aiming to further strengthen cooperation between businessmen from the Republic of Srpska and Austria.

Last evening, the forum was officially opened and a joint panel was held. More than thirty Austrian businessmen have come to Jahorina to learn about the business, energy and tourism potential of the Republic of Srpska in the coming days.

Mladen Filipović, Head of the Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Austria, said that forum participants were law firms with specific projects in the energy sector and tourism investments, manufacturing field, and consulting firms operating and developing tourist destinations.

‘We will discuss with them specifically further development of Jahorina and bringing hotel brands to this mountain,’ Filipović announced.

According to him, there are also engineering companies engaged in international infrastructure projects, from civil engineering to building construction; we have several companies from the management sector, which are interested in investing or taking advantage of the tax benefits offered by the Government of the Republic of Srpska and even in relocating their headquarters here for tax breaks.

‘We have companies that participated in our Fit4Austria program and recognized the capacities of cooperation with the Republic of Srpska through contacts and meetings with the companies brought to Austria by the Republic of Srpska Representation, and they want to discuss this at this forum,’ Filipović stated.

‘The Republic of Srpska Representation is the most important link, not only are we available to the Austrian investors already present in the Republic of Srpska and BiH, but also to future ones; we already have several projects that we are implementing this year, and on the other hand, we are a go-to address for our export-oriented companies and they can always count on us. The Representation is certainly a very important link for Austrian businessmen, but also for ours from the Republic of Srpska,’ Filipović said.

Speaking about expectations from the forum, Srđan Jovanović, Acting Director of the Republic of Srpska Investment Development Bank (IDB), said that in order to promote the Republic of Srpska and new investments, he expected fruitful work in the coming period.

He added that Srpska could offer Austrian investors a very attractive tax policy, great locations in the tourism and energy sectors and certainly potential in local communities, the actual drivers of the economic development of our Republic.

Andrea Kdolsky, former Austrian Federal Minister of Health and Youth, a doctor who now has her own consulting company, is also at this forum.

In coordination with the Republic of Srpska Representation, they have been working in the health sector for the past year, with the aim of improving certain structures, systematization and projects in the Republic of Srpska.

‘I am delighted with the capacities available at Jahorina and I really want to contribute to the future discussion about the economy, but also about the medical context, how we can further develop Jahorina with the support of medical services and similar services to be available to the satisfaction of all guests,’ said Andrea Kdolsky.

Many activities, presentations and lectures are planned for today. Among other things, a presentation of the investment potential of the Republic of Srpska is part of the program, and a tour of Jahorina is planned with a presentation of the potential of this Olympic beauty.

The Austrian-Serbian Business Forum will last until 21 February.

Source: Republic of Srpska Representative Office in the Republic of Austria – InfoBijeljina

Photo: Republic of Srpska Representative Office in the Republic of Austria