The first BANJA LUKA EXPO 2024 International Trade Fair opened yesterday in Banja Luka, bringing together around 300 exhibitors from the region and the world.

Fair opening was attended by the President of the Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik, the event’s sponsor, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska Radovan Višković, the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska Nenad Stevandić, Minister of Economy and Entrepreneurship Vojin Mitrović and other ministers in the Republic of Srpska Government, in addition to the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac and Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Momirović.

The President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, said that operating in the real sector was a big challenge because the whole world was in trouble due to the recession, and pointed out that Srpska’s authorities would devise the ways to support local businessmen in overcoming problems and keeping the operation.

– We are in an inferior position compared to the EU economy and we have to rely on our own strengths – Dodik said opening the BANJA LUKA EXPO 2024 International Trade Fair.

The President of Srpska noted that this fair was an opportunity for experience exchange, but also for new contacts in order to achieve every businessman’s goal, which is development.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska, Radovan Višković, said that the Banja Luka Expo 2024 International Trade Fair was significant for Srpska since attendees included more than 300 businessmen from 10 countries.

‘This shows that the Republic of Srpska is visible and recognizable, regardless of the media’s desire to spin that we are isolated and that no one will do business with us,’ said Višković at the BANJA LUKA EXPO 2024 International Trade Fair.

‘Our gratitude goes to Serbia, which is with us today. In the last month or two, the Republic of Srpska has had two or three fairs, one more significant than the other. From energy and tourism fairs, to solar and trade fair. This is very important for Srpska, which offers the best conditions for business, as businessmen are aware,’ added Prime Minister Višković.

He says that the Republic of Srpska wants to attract as many investments as possible with the conditions it offers.

‘The International Trade Fair is our victory, because we want to connect business and education. That is why a science and technology park will be built on the campus of Banja Luka University. Srpska is going its own way, and our policies are proving to be victorious,’ said Prime Minister Višković.

A conference on Regional Economic Cooperation was held within the first BANJA LUKA EXPO 2024 International Trade Fair, organized by the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska and Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH.

The conference was opened by Pero Ćorić, president of the RS Chamber of Commerce, and Zdravko Marinković, vice president of the BiH Foreign Trade Chamber.

Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation Zlatan Klokić took part in the Regional Economic Cooperation conference within the first BANJA LUKA EXPO 2024 International Trade Fair.

Fair attendees will include exhibitors from various fields, wood and metal industry, electrical and IT sector, design, finance, and representatives of many organizations, ministries, agencies and financial institutions.

The organizers of the BANJA LUKA EXPO 2024 fair are the companies RS Consulting and Trade Banja Luka and Elite Fair Banja Luka, with the institutional support of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in the Council of Ministers, Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH, Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska and City of Banja Luka.

The Republic of Serbia is a partner country of the Fair, which is attended by representatives of ten EU countries, and business delegations from China and Hungary.

The Fair will be open until 5 April.

Source: Government of the Republic of Srpska – Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska – RTRS

Photo: Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation