Deputy Minister Ermina Salkičević-Dizdarević participated in First Investment Forum in London

London, April 18, 2013 - Developing Markets Associates (DMA) in cooperation with the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UK held an investment forum between the two countries. The event was attended by about 250 representatives from the public and private sectors who are interested in potential investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Forum was opened by Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive of Developing Markets Associates London (DMA); H.E. Nigel Casey, Ambassador of the UK to Bosnia and Herzegovina; H.E. Mustafa Mujezinović, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UK. Dr. Zlatko Lagumdžija, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Mr. Suma Chakrabarti, president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) gave keynote addresses at the event.

The first panel discussion, chaired by Ms. Karen Lumley, a representative of the Parliamentary Group for Bosnia and Herzegovina, gave a review of BiH investment climate and included presentations of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Srpska; FIPA; Sberbank Europe AG and ArcelorMittal Zenica.

The second panel discussion gave an overview of investment opportunities in the energy sector and mining, and this discussion was chaired by H.E. Nigel Casey, Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This panel included discussions and presentations by representatives of the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry; Elektorprivreda Sarajevo; the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Energoinvest.

The third panel discussion was on the subject of investing in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and IT. This discussion was chaired by Baroness Morris of Bolton OBE, Ms. Patricia Morris, and presentations were made by Ms. Ermine Salkičević-Dizdarevic, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Tourism Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The fourth and final panel discussion was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Henry Bellingham, a member of the Parliament on the subject of Investing in infrastructure development, and the participants were representatives of the Federal Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts; the JP Motorways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the Organization of the United Kingdom for trade and investment in Bosnia and Herzegovina and representatives of Mid Europa Partners.

Three municipalities from Bosnia and Herzegovina represented themselves within these panels: Tešanj, Prijedor and Laktaši. Closing remarks by Dr. Zlatko Lagumdžija was followed by a gala reception.

This first investment forum was an opportunity to improve the economic cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Kingdom, attract investors and enhance trade.