The Development Agency of the Republic of Srpska, in cooperation with the Gender Equality Institute of Vojvodina, and at the initiative of the Timișoara Alliance of Serbs, organized the participation of three women’s associations from the Republic of Srpska at a mini fair as part of the Marathon event, held on 5 September in Timișoara. The fair also presented 15 associations from Vojvodina in order to present and promote regionally the unique and indigenous products made by rural women.

‘This is another way to support women’s entrepreneurship, to empower women economically, especially those from rural areas. Such fairs are a good opportunity for them to promote their products, establish contacts with other associations, but also with tourism organizations, potential buyers and partners in the region and beyond, to exchange experiences and good practices,’ said the Acting Director of the Republic of Srpska Development Agency, Željko Perišić.

He recalled that at the beginning of the year, the Agency had signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Gender Equality Institute of Vojvodina wishing to support women’s entrepreneurship in the Republic of Srpska even more strongly through joint activities, and that this was the first joint activity in this regard.

‘This is a wonderful opportunity to promote our work, to make our name known beyond the borders of the Republic of Srpska. Today, we have only exhibited some of the works of our members because unfortunately we could not bring everything. There are handicrafts, embroidered clothing such as dresses, shirts, knitted woolen items such as socks, ankle slippers, crocheted works and the like. The reactions of the visitors are good, we have sold some of the works, but the most important thing is that we have the opportunity to establish contacts and exchange experiences with members of other associations from the Republic of Srpska, Serbia and Romania that bring together women,’ said Jana Jakovljević, representative of the General Agricultural Cooperative Žena from Bratunac.

The event in Timișoara was also attended by the representative of the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Srpska, Ognjen Šmitran, who said that the Ministry supported the Agency fully in implementing activities aimed at strengthening women’s entrepreneurship. ‘It was an honor for me to attend this event on behalf of the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship, to support our associations in presenting themselves here in Timișoara, together with the Republic of Srpska Development Agency. This is an excellent example of networking, promotion of women’s entrepreneurship, but also our culture and customs,’ said Šmitran.

Source and photo: Republic of Srpska Development Agency