During the “U.S. Business Promotion and Networking Forum” through five different panels, participants shared their experiences of US investment funds that are present in BiH, learned more about the commercial and economic support programs of the US government in BiH, heard about the regional perspectives of the US companies and about the challenges and opportunities of the ICT sector in BiH as well as the strategic perspectives and the priorities of BiH chambers and business associations.
“The business community, in cooperation with AmCham BiH, can play a key role in promoting a better business climate and keeping zero tolerance policy in terms of corruption. This may not be easy, but it is crucial for BiH’s prosperity when American companies see that BiH takes serious steps in fighting corruption then the chances of them investing are higher knowing that their investment is secure, ” said Ms. Maureen Cormack, the US Ambassador to BiH.
Maureen Cormack also emphasized during her opening remarks on the forum that the World Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked BiH as the 81st country out of 190 countries in the analysis of business simplicity aspects, and this is one of the first things that stands in the way of more companies investing in BiH, because BiH is the least competitive country in Southeast Europe.
Because of these facts this Forum was organized by U.S. Embassy in BiH and the AmCham BiH as a networking opportunity with many goals, one of which is the desire to increase investments in BiH and increase the opportunities for partnerships for US companies and those in whose sales portfolio are widely represented American products and services.
More than 150 guests attended the U.S. Business Promotion and Networking Forum, where they were acquainted with all of the programs offered by USAID and other US agencies through the US Embassy in BiH, as well as the role of AmCham BiH and its members in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the aim of increasing investment and partnerships opportunities for US companies and US affiliated companies.
