Ministry of Economy of Zenica-Doboj Canton and Chamber of Commerce of ZDC together in the campaign 'Buy Domestic - Strengthen BiH'

(Patria) - The Ministry of Economy of Zenica-Doboj Canton and the Chamber of Commerce of ZDC today signed an agreement on the implementation of the ten-month campaign "Buy Domestic – Strengthen Bosnia and Herzegovina", as part of which the production and products of companies from that canton will be promoted.

According to the cantonal Minister of Economy Samir Šibonjić, they came up with this idea through discussions with businessmen and after analyzing the purchase of products on the market of that canton and BiH.

"We saw that it is indeed necessary to get institutionally involved. This is the first time that someone has institutionally joined this campaign, and until now, campaigns of this type have been led by citizens' associations. We know that this is very complex, difficult, and that companies alone, without the support of the state and authorities, cannot lead campaigns of this type," said Minister Šibonjić.

He stated that the comprehensive campaign should contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the economy of this canton, both in BiH and abroad, as well as to increasing the number of employees.

"Our companies face various challenges. Especially at the beginning of the year, we had a series of decisions that certainly negatively affected the business of small – the smallest enterprises, and we build special empathy towards them. The clear goal here is for as many citizens as possible to receive our message. That, when we buy products, we opt for products that are produced in our homeland BiH. In this way, we certainly strengthen our homeland BiH. Our patriotism is reflected in our refrigerators," Šibonjić conveyed.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce of ZDC, Diana Babić, said that the campaign will not be solely focused on promoting food products.

"Our desire is to promote all domestic producers, primarily from the ZDK area, their products and potentials. That is precisely why we have planned the production of videos, panel discussions, and at the ZEPS fair under the title 'Buy Domestic – Build BiH', where, I am sure, we will gather panelists who are sufficiently authoritative to speak on this topic. We will strive to promote as many products and companies as possible," Babić emphasized.

Minister Samir Šibonjić pointed out that a special target group of the campaign will be preschool and school-aged children, who will, in the future, influence a change in attitudes towards buying domestic products and make our homeland a better place to live. The cantonal Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport will also provide support in the part of the campaign aimed at schoolchildren.