The trend of the increase of direct foreign investments in BiH continued

-800 MILLION BAM OF DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN BIH IN 2018 

According to the published preliminary data of the Central Bank of BH, foreign direct investments in 2018 reached the amount of BAM 800 million, which represents an increase of 2.8% compared to 2017 when BAN 777 million was recorded. The growth trend of foreign investments from 2017 continued in 2018.

FIPA Director Gordan Milinić said that he was satisfied with this amount, because of the fact that last year was extremely difficult to attract foreign investors due to pre-election rhetoric that discouraged foreign investors, and frequent foreign investors' question whether their capital will be safe in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

If it is to judge by the number of meetings and contacts that FIPA has held and established since the beginning of 2019, a trend of growth may also be expected in 2019. There are announcements of new investments this year, as well as a significant number of projects that started in 2018, and whose implementation continues in 2019. The start of the investment cycle will bring new jobs, employment of our citizens, more taxes to the state, new technologies, and strengthening the standards of living of our citizens.

It is very important to point out that there are many obstacles on the way to a much larger inflow of foreign investments in BiH and a stronger investment increase that needs to be eliminated if the objective is to achieve a greater degree of employment in the country, strengthening the economy and development of the country. It is important to continue with the reform processes and to show willingness and will to improve the country's opportunities. Growth in investment and employment is a sufficient motivation to continue improving the country's business environment in a way that stimulates business people, improves the country's competitiveness and image.

FIPA, within its Post-Investment Support Program, is preparing a proposal of measures that all BiH authorities should undertake to improve the business environment and facilitate business for foreign investors. Proposals have already been addressed to the competent authorities, after which they will be submitted to the final consideration of the Council of Ministers of BiH.

In order to attract new investors and improve the image of the country, FIPA continues the implementation of the media campaign "Invest in BiH" in the world, which includes diplomatic and consular representations of BiH and foreign embassies in Sarajevo, and in which significant funds for advertising in the world's media should be invested.