CHIKLI: WE MUST MOVE FROM FRIENDSHIP TO INVESTMENT; ISRAEL HAS MUCH TO OFFER

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 3 /SRNA/– Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli said this evening at a ceremony marking the establishment of the Israel Chamber of Commerce in Srpska that the two sides must move from friendship to investment and that Israel has much to offer.

Addressing the ceremony in Banja Luka, Chikli said this was a unique and quite exciting moment for him, following a two-and-a-half-year process that had not been easy, to achieve this breakthrough and become the first Israeli minister to be formally welcomed in Republika Srpska.

"It is truly a great honour to be here in Banja Luka, and I would like to thank the Republika Srpska Government for hosting us with such respect and hospitality. More importantly, thank you for the friendship and solidarity you have shown toward the State of Israel and the Jewish people," Chikli said.

He pointed to the principle that Israel remembers its friends.

"We remember those who stood and continue to stand with us. We remember those who expressed solidarity with Israel following the horrific October 7 massacre and the powerful gesture when the Palace of the Republic here in Banja Luka was illuminated in the colours of the Israeli flag," Chikli said.

He said these gestures were not taken for granted, stressing that true friendship is measured in difficult circumstances and that this is precisely when solidarity acquires its true meaning.

"We also faced a shared tragedy during the Second World War not far from here, in Jasenovac and other places, and we remember that as well," Chikli stressed.

He noted that Israel and Republika Srpska had for years been developing relations based on mutual respect, historical understanding and genuine goodwill, but expressed his conviction that the next chapter of this relations must become increasingly practical.

"It must be about what we can build together, because friendship between governments should create opportunities for companies. Shared values and political goodwill should lead to economic cooperation, while strong relations between our peoples should lead to partnerships among entrepreneurs, investors, universities, researchers and young people," Chikli said.

Chikli stressed that the two sides must move from friendship to investment and that Israel has much to offer.

“We are a country known for innovation, technology and entrepreneurship. We have developed solutions in areas such as agriculture, water management, energy, cybersecurity, healthcare and advanced technologies,” Chikli said.

At the same time, he noted, Republika Srpska has important strengths of its own - talented people, industrial capacities, agriculture, energy, tourism and vast potential.

"There is, therefore, a natural opportunity for cooperation. Israeli companies can bring technology, capital, innovation and expertise. Companies here can provide local knowledge, production capacity, talent and access to markets. When these strengths come together, we can create something far greater than either side could create alone," Chikli said.

He added that the Chamber must not be merely ceremonial, but must be operational.

"It must become a permanent point of contact for Israeli companies seeking opportunities in Republika Srpska and the broader region, as well as for companies wishing to enter the Israeli market, find Israeli partners and gain access to Israeli technology and expertise," Chikli said.

Chikli encouraged Israeli companies, investors and relevant institutions to give serious consideration to the opportunities the Chamber could create, adding that this must be a two-way street.

He stressed that Israel was determined to strengthen relations with its friends, with those who share its values and are ready to build the future together, and that he believed friendship should produce tangible results.

"Mr /President/ Dodik, you and the entire leadership of Republika Srpska are true friends of Israel and the Jewish people. We now have the privilege of taking this relationship to a higher level and turning our friendship into action," Chikli emphasized.

In addition to Dodik, the ceremony was attended by Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan, Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić, Serb BiH Presidency member Željka Cvijanović, Israeli Ambassador to BiH Galit Peleg, ministers in the Srpska Government, businesspeople and other guests.