Nihad Imširović new President of the Management Board of the Employers' Association of FBiH

(Patria) - At the session of the Management Board of the Employers' Association in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nihad Imširović was elected as the new
President of the Association.

Nihad Imširović is a long-time successful businessman and manager with extensive experience in managing and leading companies in the production, distribution, and trade sectors. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions in some of the largest companies in BiH, including Konzum, Klas, Zvijezda, Sarajevska pivara, and others. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Sarajevo and is particularly known for his successes in restructuring, development, and business improvement, as well as his contribution to the development of the fast-moving consumer goods market in BiH.

He has been a member of the Employers' Association in FBiH since 2016. He served two terms as a member of the Management Board of the Employers' Association in FBiH, as well as the Employers' Association of Sarajevo Canton. He also chaired the Trade Group within the UPFBiH and was an active member of the Association's working groups and bodies, where he made a significant contribution to shaping positions and initiatives in the field of economic development. Since 2022, he has also been a member of the Economic and Social Council of Sarajevo Canton. Following his election as President of the Employers' Association in FBiH, Nihad Imširović emphasized that the focus of his mandate will be the continuation and intensification of key reform processes, with priorities including the reduction of fiscal and parafiscal burdens, liberalization of the labor market, and reform of health insurance with the aim of easing the burden on the economy. Imširović stressed that in the time ahead, we must all work together primarily on creating a more stable and predictable business environment, reducing the gray economy, increasing the level of protection for the domestic market, strengthening the competitiveness of the domestic economy to reduce excessive dependence on imports, enhancing the perception and habit of consuming domestic products, and attracting domestic and foreign investments. He noted that in this regard, he will count on the support of domestic economic and social partners, as well as
international ones. Emphasis will also be placed on aligning the education system with the needs of the labor market, particularly through the implementation of dual education, as well as on business digitalization and preparations for European integration and access to European and global markets.

„The Association has done very visible work in the past on strengthening the business environment, presenting itself as a representative partner in communication with authorities and unions at all levels in BiH, especially at the FBiH level, and my task is to strengthen this partnership and make it even more effective, in accordance with domestic regulations, international conventions, and European standards. It is a great honor for me to be elected President of such a representative association that has been building and preserving its position for years as a serious and apolitical partner to authorities and unions, but also to the civil sector, the academic community, the media, and others. I wish to extend
special thanks and congratulations for the dedication in the work of the previous president, Adnan Smailbegović, whose work in previous terms left a strong mark on the development and recognition of the Association, its professionalization, and positioning in the public space. I also thank the previous composition of the Management Board for the achieved results – in times that have been continuously challenging for the business environment,“ said Imširović.

He added that it will be challenging to maintain and improve the intensity of the Association's work, but that in this he counts on the strength and expertise of the newly elected Management Board.

„The Management Board brings together exceptionally successful employers from all parts of the Federation of BiH and various industries. This breadth and experience are key to further progress. The professional service and working bodies of the Association remain an important support in the realization of all program goals. We invite legal entities, employers in FBiH to join the work of UPFBiH. I am convinced that together we can continue the path towards a more favorable business environment and strengthening the real sector. Improving partnerships with all structures of society remains a key priority, and we expect additional cooperation with representatives of authorities at all levels and the achievement of concrete results through joint work, established economic and social councils, and other means. I assess the real sector, as do my associates, as the healthiest part of our society – a part focused on development, improving living standards, and regional, European, and global integration. My plan is to put all the resources of the Association, as well as my personal capacities, in the service of achieving this goal,“ emphasized Imširović.

At the session, the Vice-Presidents of the Association were also elected, namely Mujo Hasić from Gračanica, owner of the company Variplasti and member of the TK Employers' Group within UPFBiH and the Employers' Association of Gračanica, and Bariša Šušnjar, from the company Binvest d.o.o. Posušje, President of the Employers' Association of Posušje, as well as members of the Executive Board of the Employers' Association in FBiH.