Chairman Bevanda at 20th Traditional Counselling of Economists

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BIH Vjekoslav Bevanda attends the 20th traditional counselling of economists titled “Economic Policy of Croatia in 2013”, taking place in Opatija. The host of the event is the Croatian Association of Economists and sponsor is President of the Republic of Croatia Ivo Josipović. 

In his address to the conference, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BIH Vjekoslav Bevanda presented basic economic and political facts on Bosnia and Herzegovina, and stressed that the Republic of Croatia is the major trade partner to Bosnia and Herzegovina, while from the viewpoint of the Republic of Croatia, BIH is one among the most important export markets and considerable import market. In the context of Croatia’s accession to the European Union, Chairman Bevanda reflected on next steps BIH is to undertake in order to get prepared for new borders with the EU.

“Leaving CEFTA represents for the Republic of Croatia a lost of traditional Balkan region market and this is one among major issues to be encountered by Croatia, while, in the long run, the way is open to one of biggest markets in which applying diligent work and strategic decision-making the Republic of Croatia may secure its ‘place under the Sun’. Aiming to preserve its traditional markets, a number of companies from the Republic of Croatia will probably opt to move or open additional production capacities in BIH in order to realise the volumes of exchange of goods as they exist now and continue trade within CEFTA. From this prospective, it is important to both Croatian and BIH businessmen to identify timely all moves ahead in order to continue cooperation and trade and production exchange between the two countries”, Chairman Bevanda said in the introductory speech.

The counselling was opened by President of the Croatian Association of Economists Ljubo Jurčić, who presented and analysed in detail the economic situation in Croatia. Speaking of the up-coming Croatia’s accession to the European Union, professor Jurčić said that “Croatia will formally finalise its transition process by assuming a full membership of the European Union. The process of transition from socialist society and economy to a democratic and market-led system lasted almost 23 years, and now Croatia finds itself at the end of a steady and safe road.” He said that a long-term solution to the current global, European and Croatian crisis leis in a launch of a process of development of a new system to acknowledge all technological, economic, financial, social and geopolitical changes, targeting development of an economically effective and socially responsible and just system.

The introductory addresses were offered by Croatian President’s representative Dejan Jović and President of the Association of Economists of Serbia Toplica Spasojević.

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