Delegation of the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton visited the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce: Participation in ZEPS 2026 Fair announced

(Patria) - A delegation of the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK), led by Prime Minister Nezir Pivić, visited the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the second largest business association in the world with over 800,000 members.

The BiH delegation met with the association's Vice President Mehmet Develioglu, Chairman of the Board of Directors Israfil Kurulay, and Deputy Secretary General Ozcan Toker.



The ZDK Government delegation also included the Ministers of Economy Samir Šibonjić, Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Jasmin Čajić, and Finance Dženana Čišija.

Prime Minister Pivić thanked the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce for its efforts in strengthening economic cooperation between the Republic of Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially for its contribution to the revival of the General BH Fair ZEPS, which after several years of hiatus was renewed last year with Turkey's partnership and the participation of a large number of exhibitors from that country.

He particularly thanked the association's president, Šekib Avdagić, who is of Bosnian origin, and who received public recognition, the ZDK Plaque, this year for his contribution to strengthening economic cooperation.

- I am proud that we have a strong partner like the Republic of Turkey, and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce has special merits for strengthening economic cooperation, which is getting better and better. Trade between the two countries is increasing, and I am sure that with such strengthening of ties, it will continue to grow - said Pivić.



The cooperation so far has resulted in an increase in trade by more than 30 times, which this year amounts to about 1.2 billion dollars, with an increase in exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina of about 52 million dollars. The common goal is to further increase trade above two billion dollars.

- We want to direct traditionally good relations towards further strengthening of economic cooperation. We want to utilize the numerous advantages that Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Zenica-Doboj Canton offer, and resources and valuable workers are the greatest assets of our country - said Minister Šibonjić.

The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce marked the renewed ZEPS fair last year and this year, and is already preparing for participation in the ZEPS 2026 fair, announcing the arrival of a large number of exhibitors and an exclusive fair presentation.



Minister Dženana Čišija emphasized on this occasion the importance of student exchange, as well as high school students, so that our students can learn about study opportunities in Turkey at their prestigious universities, as well as the possibilities for joint conferences and other forms of cooperation at this level.

The delegation of the Government of ZDK is staying in Turkey, where they participated in the International Tourism Fair in Izmir, where the Tourist Board of the Zenica-Doboj Canton also presented itself this year.