Košarac and Sakamoto Discussed Improving Economic Cooperation

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Staša Košarac received the Ambassador of Japan to BiH Hideyuki Sakamoto in Sarajevo today, with whom he discussed improving economic cooperation between BiH and Japan.

It was stated that BiH and Japan are friendly countries and that there is a long tradition of bilateral cooperation.

Ambassador Sakamoto informed Minister Košarac about current projects that Japan is implementing in BiH, and the focus of the discussion was on Japanese investments in BiH's economic capacities. It was agreed that it is necessary to define models for connecting businessmen and chambers of commerce of the two countries, in order to make cooperation more intensive and productive. In this context, the possibility of Minister Košarac attending this year's investment fair in Tokyo was announced, the Ministry announced.

Košarac and Sakamoto exchanged views on projects in the field of environmental protection. Košarac said that the competent sectors within the Ministry he heads will be further engaged and will raise the issue of capacities and assistance to the Government of Japan in the implementation of projects in this area.

He also welcomed Japan's engagement in the desulfurization project of the Ugljevik Thermal Power Plant, which is in the final phase of implementation.

The topic of the meeting also included investment in the energy sector in BiH. Košarac emphasized that BiH faces demands from the EU and the Energy Community regarding the harmonization of domestic legal regulations with EU standards, and expressed commitment to strategic planning of the energy sector development as a top sector in BiH.

The interlocutors, among other things, pointed out the need to strengthen the private sector, with an emphasis on the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. Minister Košarac emphasized that all levels of government in BiH, by adopting the reform agenda, have committed to supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and the real sector as a whole.