Rusmir Hrvić officially opened the ZEPS 2015 fair

Rusmir Hrvić, director of Klas d.d. Sarajevo, a member of AS GROUP, today, in the presence of officials of the Federation of BiH, the diplomatic corps, and numerous businessmen and visitors, officially opened the 22nd International General Bosnian Fair ZEPS 2015. This is the first time that the General Bosnian Fair ZEPS is opened by a businessman, reports the Patria News Agency.

This year's ZEPS, for which there is enormous interest this year, is held on an area of over 10,000 m2, with the participation of over 400 exhibitors from more than 20 countries worldwide from three continents.

Hrvić initially emphasized that he was honored to have the opportunity to open ZEPS this year - the largest fair in BiH.

- This is a credit not only to me, but to all employees, friends, and consumers of AS GROUP products. The fact that this year's fair is opened by a representative of the economy, i.e., the private sector and production, tells us that something is starting to change in our understanding - said Hrvić.

The private sector has been in the background for too long. I come from a Group that currently unites nine companies in three divisions: food, trade, and textile. In the food division alone, we produce about 1,000 different products and dozens of well-known brands.

We employ about 3,000 workers, with a tendency to increase the number of employees, capacities, and turnover. We have succeeded in selling Bosnian raspberries to Japan, we have reached Brazil with Zlatna džezva, we export to 27 countries, we have sold men's suits to the Chinese, and our jufke, baklava, somuni, and other products are on the shelves of Kaufland, Metro, Lidl, and Walmart in the USA - said Hrvić.

He pointed out that it is now clear to everyone that our daily problems will not be solved by employment in public institutions, endless state borrowing, or keeping long-defunct companies alive.

- I doubt that any sector can independently solve the problems that burden us today. Everyone must take their share of responsibility. The private sector, i.e., companies, must create new value, they must operate profitably. Whatever our economic reality may be, private companies must recognize opportunities and possibilities in it, not just problems. We are used to complaining and finding excuses. The more excuses we find, the fewer solutions we will find - said Hrvić. 

Furthermore, Hrvić said, companies must respect the laws of the country in which they operate. On the other hand, the state should effectively play the role of a regulator.

Speaking about reforms, Hrvić said that strong support should be given to the implementation of the adopted reform agenda for Bosnia and Herzegovina, however difficult or painful reforms may sometimes be.