Adnan Jašarević, Director of the Cantonal Agency for Attracting Investment and Privatization of Sarajevo Canton (KAIP), stated for Klix.ba that Sarajevo Canton has recorded a significant increase in total investments over the last two years.
According to the latest data from the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FZZS), the growth of investments last year, compared to the previous year, amounted to as much as 13%.
Last year, total investments exceeded 1.3 billion marks, a record for the past ten years.
“We have a clear growth trend over the past two years, and we expect it to continue in the current year, especially considering the numerous infrastructure projects that are being implemented or are planned in Sarajevo Canton, stable economic growth, and important measures being taken to improve the business environment and investment incentives,” said Jašarević.
According to him, the data shows that, as expected, the largest influx of investments is in Sarajevo Canton, representing more than a quarter of the total investments realized across the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“What is very important is that, as statistical data clearly confirms, we are seeing growth in investments in the procurement of equipment, machinery, and other fixed assets compared to investments in the construction of buildings. Just last year, over 720 million marks were invested in this category in Sarajevo Canton,” Jašarević emphasizes.
Adnan Jašarević, Director of KAIP
These figures indicate the return of confidence from both domestic and foreign investors in Sarajevo Canton, who are now investing more and thus contributing to economic growth, as well as benefiting from increasingly efficient measures that open doors for investors and assist them in realizing their investments.
“Two years ago, the KS government restructured this Agency, and its main task became attracting investors, showing them investment potentials, and assisting in implementation. Over the last two years, we’ve made numerous contacts, and there is a huge interest in investing in Sarajevo Canton, especially after EU membership negotiations were opened, which was an additional signal of investment security in the business world. We have also shown an active approach to investors. We are now systematically working on attracting investments and solving the challenges that investors face when they come to KS or BiH. We had direct incentives for foreign investors, we have a new Public-Private Partnership Law, we are enhancing mobility, and all of this has clearly had a positive impact on the influx of investments and contributes to a more attractive business environment and good results,” Jašarević explains.
He adds that investors are now approached proactively, with all potentials, incentives, and comparative advantages of investing in Sarajevo Canton being presented, while also offering assistance in overcoming any obstacles they face. KAIP is, by law, the central contact point for all investors in Sarajevo Canton.
“We are aware of all the challenges, especially in the broader economic context. The World Bank study from 2022 shows that regional investment promotion agencies like ours achieve much better results and significantly contribute to improving the business environment because they are closer to both investors and local authorities, unlike national agencies. Therefore, the focus of our work is directed towards both foreign and domestic investors, and we are pleased when statistical indicators show that we have an increase in investments,” Jašarević concluded, adding that in the upcoming period, he expects even more positive news, especially regarding opportunities for foreign investments.
