BERJAN: MORE THAN 100 CHINESE BUSINESSPEOPLE ATTEND THE FORUM

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 4 /SRNA/ - BiH Ambassador to China Siniša Berjan said that more than 100 Chinese businesspeople had come to Banja Luka to attend the Republika Srpska Investment and Business Cooperation Forum for Chinese companies.

Berjan told reporters that the BiH Embassy in China had held intensive talks with Chinese businesspeople in recent months.

"We sent them a very simple message: come and talk to our people and see for yourselves the potential we have. They came with a clear intention to discuss economic cooperation and explore investment opportunities," Berjan stressed.

President of the Republika Srpska Chamber of Commerce Goran Račić said that interest among local businesspeople in cooperation with China is very high.

"Forty local businesspeople who cooperate with China and have ambitions to establish business relations with China are attending the forum. We have the best resources in the energy sector, and we know that China is a leader in solar energy. We have the greatest potential in food processing, and our tax system is also more favourable than those offered by other Western Balkan countries," Račić said.

Acting Director of the Republika Srpska Investment and Development Bank Nedeljko Ćorić said he was confident that the day would be productive for both local and Chinese businesspeople.

"We have major projects that we are implementing with China and its investors, and I am sure we will continue to do so. We have seven projects from various sectors that we will present to our Chinese partners. Most of them are in the energy sector," Ćorić stressed.

Acting Rector of the University of Banja Luka Ranko Škrbić said that an inter-university cooperation agreement concerning the agricultural sector, and involving the Faculty of Agriculture, would be signed.

"The Global Fred Award I received is the result not only of my work, but also of the full understanding and support of the institutions of Republika Srpska. I have worked on the development of Republika Srpska, its international promotion and cooperation," Škrbić added.

The Republika Srpska Investment and Business Cooperation Forum for Chinese companies began today in Banja Luka in the presence of numerous Republika Srpska officials, as well as Chinese and local businesspeople. It was organized by the Chamber of Commerce and the Republika Srpska Government.

The forum, held at the headquarters of the Republika Srpska Government, is attended by President of Republika Srpska Siniša Karan, Prime Minister Savo Minić, ministers in the Republika Srpska Government, President of the Republika Srpska Chamber of Commerce Goran Račić, BiH Ambassador to China Siniša Berjan, Director of the Republika Srpska Investment and Development Bank Nedeljko Ćorić, and numerous representatives of Chinese companies.

The forum brings together representatives of Republika Srpska institutions, the business and academic communities, and Chinese companies and institutions, with the aim of enhancing economic cooperation, presenting Srpska's investment potential, and creating new opportunities fonerships and investment..