At the invitation of the Ministry of Economy of the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK) and the Association of Businessmen of Zenica, former President of the Republic of Croatia Stjepan Mesić paid a two-day visit to Zenica, reports Anadolia.
“Europe today has no leaders, Europe is ruled by overpaid bureaucrats who answer to no one for their actions”, were the words of Mesić, a proven friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the last president of the Presidency of the SFRY and the former president of Croatia.
On the first day of the visit, a forum was held in the “Zenica” hotel on the topics “State, development and future of the economy of ZDK and the region” and “Bosnia and Herzegovina from Dayton to today”.
In addition to Mesić, the forum participants included the host of the meeting and the Minister of Economy in the ZDK Government Samir Šibonjić, Dijana Babić, president of the ZDK Chamber of Commerce, and Enes Karić, president of the Zenica Businessmen’s Association.
In her presentations, Babić talked about the potential and achievements of the ZDK economy.
Minister Šibonjić pointed out that the main goal of the Ministry and him as a minister is to support businessmen in performing regular tasks, but also in development, employment, education, certification and digitalization, as well as creating a business environment and enabling new investments.
“Our mission is to stop people from going abroad and to create conditions for their return,” Šibonjić said.
Mesić encouraged businessmen in their efforts to produce in accordance with world standards. He pointed out that ZDK is an industrial region with huge potential.
Answering patiently and precisely to dozens of questions from the most eminent businessmen in ZDK, Mesić sent several important messages.
“BiH and ZDK have a high reputation among European customers. It is imperative to engage additionally and in every way to appoint hardworking and competent people to functions that should support the economy. To include businessmen in all spheres of social life. Support for BiH on its European and NATO path”, said Mesić.
Mesić said that at every meeting with significant figures in the world, he stresses that “Europe cannot talk to the destroyers and builders of Bosnia at the same time”.
Socializing and friendly conversation with businessmen lasted long into the night after the forum.
The forum was moderated by young Sanita Karić from the Association of Businessmen of Zenica.
On the second day of his stay, Mesić and his hosts were received by the Prime Minister of ZDK Amra Mehmedić.
In a cordial conversation, opinions were exchanged about the current moment, as well as the challenges we face, with special reference to the war in Ukraine.
The visit continued with breakfast with the hosts on the terrace of the “Dubrovnik” hotel in Zenica, where Mesić was presented with symbolic gifts, pictures with Bosnian motifs.
On that occasion, Šibonjić presented Mesić with the coat of arms of ZDK as a memory of this visit.
Not hiding his satisfaction, Mesić promised to come again and one of the first promotions of his new book in Zenica.
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