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NUR-SULTAN, September 24 (FENA) - Meetings like this are of particular importance because they are a good platform and an opportunity to exchange information and create the necessary trust that should result in partnerships for the benefit and well-being of the citizens who live in our countries. This is not a mere assumption, because my country, Bosnia and Herzegovina has a rich experience of dialogue and trust building between different ethnic and religious groups, said Speaker of the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly Bakir Izetbegović at the 4th Eurasian Parliaments Meeting "Greater Eurasia" : Dialogue. Trust. Partnership", that is taking place in Kazakhstan's capital, Nur-Sultan.
Izetbegović emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a democratic country which, due to its cultural and religious interconnections, geographical location and historical heritage, is justifiably considered a bridge between East and West, and its capital Sarajevo, in which within a few hundred meters you can see and pray in, both the Orthodox and the Catholic Church, in the synagogue and in the mosque, is rightfully called "Jerusalem of Europe".
“It is a country with highly educated people and workforce, significant natural resources and investment opportunities in the energy, metal, food and dedicated industries. With its geographical location close to the EU market, and as a potential candidate for EU membership, BiH provides excellent opportunities for the development of economic cooperation.
BiH has made progress in many areas in the past, especially in the last four years. The reform agenda adopted in July 2015 has produced impressive results. The adopted laws and by-laws allowed for the most significant economic growth and development in the post-Dayton period.
Industrial production grew over 4% annually, manufacturing over 6%. Exports grew at double digits, 39% in four years, it is a country with the fastest-growing tourism sector, almost doubling in four years. Nominal GDP grew at an average of 3% per year. The number of employees has increased by 14% over the past four years. The volume of foreign trade exceeded 30 billion KM,” said Izetbegović.
He also noted that great progress has been made in recent years in trade with the Republic of Turkey, and that the volume of trade is likely to reach the target of 1 billion USD this year. With the Russian Federation, he said, BiH is also making significant progress in cooperation, especially in exporting food to the Russian market. It is also significant to note that about 70% of its products BiH exports to the European Union, with which BiH has very favorable customs-free arrangements.
“Cooperation of companies from Eurasian countries with BiH companies through joint-venture projects provides them with the same benefits,” said Izetbegović.
In addition to progress in the area of economy, he added, Bosnia and Herzegovina has come closer to its main foreign policy goal - EU membership, and that now is a good time to intensify cooperation and investments in BiH.
(FENA) S. R.
