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Business Forum on Italian companies in Sarajevo

(ANSA) - SARAJEVO - Italy-Bosnia Herzegovina Business Forum, organized by the Italian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina to bring together Italian companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina and analyze strengths, challenges and prospects, ended on Tuesday in Sarajevo. Ambassador Minasi underlined that Italy is BiH's second biggest trading partner and that over 70 Italian companies operating in the country employ over 10,000 Bosnian citizens. The meeting was attended by Fadil Novalic, Prime Minister of the Federation, Ian Brown, EBRD head in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gian Carlo Murkovic, the President of Finest, agency supporting investments from the companies based in the regions of Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia. The focus was made up of 4 sessions which, starting from the experiences of Italian entrepreneurs in the Balkan country, dealt with issues which are crucial for Bosnia and Herzegovina's economic growth. For Italian companies aiming to raise their investments, good relations with the local community are one of the greatest strengths. In this regard, Minasi has mentioned the Territorial Pacts between local authorities, businesses and education field as a possible model for Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the meeting, Deputy Head of Mission Khaldoun Sinno explained the point of view of the EU Delegation on how new reforms can help to modernize the economic system. In this regard, the willingness of the local political parties to put in place an effective and shared plan of socio-economic reforms, strengthening the rule of law and the fighting against corruption will be absolutely crucial. These reforms will be taken into account by the European Commission, which is going to outline the priorities of BiH's European integration process in the coming years. Among the core topics of the meeting, the possibility of issuing internationally guaranteed bonds, which can be purchased by all the savers in Bosnia Herzegovina, so as to finance projects to build strategic infrastructure.(ANSA).