Regional Fair Leaders Join Forces: ZEPS and Celje Fair Sign Memorandum of Cooperation!

(Patria) - Two leading regional fairs, ZEPS and Celje Fair, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The Memorandum was signed by Elvir Ajanović, on behalf of TAPAS d.o.o. Zenica, organizer of the International General BH Economy Fair ZEPS, and Amadej Gande, Commercial Director of Celjski sejem d.d., organizer of the International Industrial Fair MIS Celje.

By signing the Memorandum, both parties confirm their mutual interest in developing long-term institutional and business cooperation, promoting the economic potentials of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Slovenia, strengthening international business ties, and increasing company participation in the fairs organized by both parties. The goal of the Memorandum is to establish a strategic partnership that will contribute to the internationalization of companies, the development of new business opportunities, increased investments, and the strengthening of economic cooperation between the two countries.

"This is an important and significant step for both fairs. We have created the framework conditions for strengthening business relations not only between fair organizers but also for improving the economic relations of the two countries. Our advantages are primarily reflected in our position and ability to act as a bridge connecting East and West, while the Celje Fair is known for its technological achievements, thanks to which it is gaining increasing importance throughout the European Union. Our goal is to develop on a partnership basis, which will together position us on the map of the most significant business fairs in this part of Europe," said Sanel Ibrić, Executive Director of the International General BH Economy Fair ZEPS.

"Through the Memorandum, we have defined key cooperation activities between the two fairs, through which we want to establish a bridge between the economies of the two regions and, through fair events, provide companies and individuals with new business connections, contacts, and opportunities for cooperation. We believe that fairs, as meeting places for ideas, knowledge, and business partnerships, can significantly contribute to strengthening economic cooperation and developing the regional economy," said Amadej Gande, Commercial Director of Celjski sejem d.d.

Within the framework of the Memorandum, strategic fair and institutional cooperation is foreseen between TAPAS d.o.o. Zenica and Celjski sejem d.d., which includes mutual promotion of the ZEPS and MIS Celje fairs, organization of promotional and exhibition activities, support for the internationalization of companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Slovenia, development of institutional and economic cooperation through fair platforms, and organization of business meetings, delegations, and B2B activities.

The partnership between ZEPS and the Celje Fair will be developed through mutual promotion of fair events in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia, as well as through joint activities aimed at strengthening institutional and economic cooperation between the two countries.

About Celje Fair:

"Celjski sejem d.d." is considered one of the leading organizers of fairs and economic events in the region. Celje Fair has a rich tradition dating back to 1963 and has become a synonym for innovation and quality in the fair industry. Today, the company manages a large fair complex with over 20,000 square meters of indoor exhibition space and larger outdoor areas for organizing major events.

Celje Fair is known for its flexibility in adapting to the diverse needs of exhibitors and visitors. This flexibility allows it to host various events covering multiple industries, including MOS and many other events. Celje Fair has organized 300 major fair events to date, covering 60,000 m² of space, with 500,000 visitors.

According to the Celje Fair schedule, three major events will take place in the first half of next year: Agritech Fair from January 29 to February 2, the March Fair from March 13 to 15, and the International Industrial Fair from April 14 to 17.

More information about Celje Fair can be found at https://ce-sejem.si/, with an invitation to companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina to find their interest and participate in one of the fairs and business events in Celje.

About ZEPS:

The International General BH Economy Fair ZEPS will be held from September 2 to 5, 2026. With the message BUSINESS FIRST, the organizers of ZEPS recently invited exhibitors from across the region and Bosnia and Herzegovina to jointly contribute to the key imperative of placing the issue of development and strengthening the economy in the Southeast European region at the forefront, at a time when global economic conditions are changing significantly and when more opportunities are emerging for all of us. They added that the message "BUSINESS FIRST!", which is also the slogan of the ZEPS 2026 fair, should and must become a common commitment for all of us.

ZEPS is among the fast-growing fairs, representing today the largest multi-sector business platform in Bosnia and Herzegovina and one of the most significant in Southeast Europe. More than 500 exhibitors from over 15 countries participate in the ZEPS fair every year. ZEPS is known for hosting an exceptionally large number of B2B meetings, with as many as 2,500 concrete business meetings recorded at the last fair alone, along with achieved concrete business agreements. Precisely because of its reputation and regional significance, ZEPS 2026 is already positioning itself as the economic event of the year and a strategic place for strengthening regional and international economic cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the placement of products, innovations, and technologies.