BUSINESS LEADERS UNITED FOR PROSPERITY IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

We are currently witnessing heightened political tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina that are threatening the peace, stability and economic prosperity of the country. The negative impact on businesses and their investors and employees is being felt already as extreme political uncertainty brings into question planned investments and valuable business contracts. We are raising our collective voice on behalf of the entire business community to call for the cessation of all destabilising rhetoric. Established democratic processes must be upheld as the only means by which political decisions are reached.   

The cooperation between the business community, local stakeholders and the international organisations has been critical in delivering economic growth over the past 26 years. In the period between 1998 and 2019, domestic capital investment has been amplified by $11 billion of foreign direct investment into the country – the progress we have made in raising living standards and improving the country’s competitiveness must not be lost. Business leaders and community representatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina have a long-standing history of coming together to address seemingly impossible challenges. Now more than ever, we need to demonstrate our unity and act with integrity and professionalism to ensure the stability of institutions that form the backbone of a prosperous economy and a healthy civil society. There are no acceptable alternatives to peace, justice and the rule of law and we, the business community, want to ensure that our voices and contributions to building a stable and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina are being recognised.

In the spirit of openness and constructive cooperation, we commit to:

• Continue to support our employees and our business partners in overcoming current global challenges (climate change, Covid-19 pandemic, soaring prices) through constructive policies and ongoing impact assessments.
• Invest in growth and the creation of new jobs through ethical leadership and good governance as key pillars of sustainable development.
• Act as responsible corporate citizens through transparent decision making and proactive engagement that advances equality and protects human rights.

In making these commitments, we call on decision makers and Governments to:

• Engage in political dialogue as the only means of preserving peace and ensuring Bosnia and Herzegovina can continue to grow and become an attractive investment destination.
• Condemn any threats of violence and uphold international standards, democracy and the rule of law which are necessary for economic activity to flourish and the living standards of our citizens to continue to rise.

Now is the time to demonstrate that we have learnt from the painful experiences in our past, and that the spirit of cooperation for a better future will guide our individual and collective actions for the benefit of all our businesses and our communities.