Update - 10Th Sarajevo Business Forum Begins İn Bosnia

The tenth Sarajevo Business Forum (SBF) began Wednesday in the Bosnian capital, with Turkey playing a prominent role.



Dubbed as the "Balkan Davos", the event will focus on expanding regional economic cooperation and attracting international investment to Southeast Europe.



Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay features among this year's speakers.



The inauguration of the business forum was attended by Slovenian President Borut Pahor, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad and members of the Presidency of Bosnia.



Amer Bukvic, CEO of Bosna Bank International, the forum has come up with 300 project ideas over the past 10 years.



Bukvic said that the forum has prepared a presentation book of close to 300 projects. "We have projects in tourism, agriculture, energy sector, infrastructure, wood, metal, education and others," he added.



He also said that close to 2,000 participants, individual and firms, from 50 countries will attend the 10th forum.



- 'Geopolitical issue'



Slovenian President Borut Pahor said that it is time for the European Commission and the EU to see the Western Balkans as a "geopolitical issue.



"When a new European Commission is formed, one of the most important issues will be the issue of the speed of the enlargement process. I would like to say that it is now time for the European Commission and the EU to view the Western Balkans as a geopolitical issue and its [EU's] expansion to the area as a geopolitical topic, "Pahor said.



He said that the European Union's (EU) enlargement policy in the next few years should be more flexible, more political, and less technical.



"I want a safe and successful future for Bosnia and Herzegovina. I believe that this safe and successful future is closely linked to the accession of the EU," Pahor added.



The Slovenian president pointed that if EU ignores the Western Balkans, the old nationalist political forces will emerge.



"The old nationalist political forces will emerge, they will try to change the borders on ethnic basis and this will jeopardize the security of this part of Europe and the security of the whole of Europe," said Pohor.



Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in a video message emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina is the epicenter of the principle of "one region-one economy".



- Common purpose



"For every country or region that wants prosperity and to be successful, a unique vision and common purpose is needed. We must work in partnership with others towards a common goal," Mohamad said.



Over the past ten years, the Malaysian premier said, the forum has grown into a living platform that gathers the region.



Mohammad is one of the founders of the forum.



Meanwhile, Chairman of three-men Bosnian Presidency Milorad Dodik said that Bosnia and Herzegovina might be a complex country but it's stable for business.



"Bosnia and Herzegovina is a stable country for business and it shows the time we left behind. In Bosnia you can invest freely and with confidence to develop your business," Dodik said.



Also, a large delegation of 50 business people from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and high ranking officials from many countries are among the participants.



Anadolu Agency is the global communication partner for the three-day business conference in Bosnia and Herzegovina, dubbed the 'Balkan Davos', where Turkey plays a prominent role.



- First day of forum



On the first day, the Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards will be presented to successful entrepreneurs with a ceremony.



Panels titled "Leadership Panel", Challenges for the Southeast Europe Region (Turning Brain Drain into Brain Gain) and Sustainable Development will also be held.



Former Croatian president Stjepan Mesic and President of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Sekib Avdagic are among the many officials to address the participants.



On the second day, panels and presentations will be held on Investment Climate in Bosnia and Herzegovina within Western Balkans Context, The Fourth Industrial Revolution - Digital Revolution, The Cutting Edge of Malaysian Technology, and Benefiting from Wood & Furniture Industry Development.



The event is expecting a record number of participants this year.



The forum aims to make the region a single economy under the slogan of "One region-one economy".



The forum has been held since 2010 in a collaborative effort by Bosna Bank International and Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank. -