US companies to partner with BiH's defense industry

The keynote speaker at the economic forum at the Center for Transatlantic Relations SAIS in Washington was Esad Pelidija, head of the cabinet of the director of Energoinvest. He spoke at the panel "Investment Opportunities in the Western Balkans", discussing the potential of our region, opportunities for investors, and chances for the development of domestic companies, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

Pelidija arranged for a visit from a US company and investors to Energoinvest in July, who are interested in a strategic partnership with Energoinvest on third markets. Furthermore, new influential contacts were made in Algeria, where Energoinvest already operates successfully.

- It is important for Energoinvest to have direct contact with businessmen from Libya, Algeria, Albania, Tunisia, and also the USA, because we earn over 95% of our money abroad, and a large majority of that is precisely in the Mediterranean region. The Western Balkans has potential, especially in energy, where Energoinvest is a leader, and we see an opportunity there for developing good cooperation, gaining new jobs, and investments in our region - said Pelidija.    

The MIMS group from BiH, which is already present in the markets of Libya and Tunisia, also attended the forum. The director of the MIMS group, Mujo Selimović, said that better regional connectivity of businessmen opens new opportunities for new joint projects and investments.

- With the evident support of Washington and joint work with the countries of the wider Mediterranean, this initiative can significantly contribute to strengthening the economy in our region - said Selimović, who also briefly presented several other BiH companies that operate successfully in North African countries to the guests and participants of the conference.

Dr. Abdulkarim Mgeg, director of the Investment and Privatization Office in Libya, presented the benefits that the Libyan government is initiating to strengthen business partnerships with local companies in Libya to the forum participants.

- We know that the problematic security situation in our country slows down development, but I am convinced that the problems we are facing today will pass. We are a naturally rich country and ready for partnerships with the countries of the wider Mediterranean as well as the USA. Of course, business cooperation already exists, and we are here to facilitate faster and more efficient support for companies and members of the Mediterranean Basin initiative to establish business cooperation with our companies - Mgeg emphasized.

Sami Boukaila, owner of BKL Industry from Algeria, a member of the SAIS Mediterranean Basin advisory business board from that country, presented the possibilities of partnership with companies from the Balkan region in Algeria. He is also the founder of CARE, the first think-tank in that country promoting the development of a better business climate and international cooperation.

- Algeria was a closed country, but that is no longer the case. Algerian businessmen travel the world and expand their business, from Dubai, Tokyo, the USA, Africa. We have a desire to develop partnerships with the countries of the wider Mediterranean, and we have already established good contacts at this forum - said Boukaila.

Representatives of the defense industry from BiH, led by Enver Mujezinović, held a series of meetings on the sidelines of the forum with representatives of the US military industry with the aim of expanding cooperation in the field of the defense industry between BiH and the USA, reports Patria.