In preparation for European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) new country strategy
for Bosnia and Herzegovina, members of the board of directors recently
travelled to the county to meet with government authorities, business
representatives and civil society organizations.
The delegation began its trip in the
Republika Srpska, staying in Banja Luka before moving to Sarajevo, the federal
capital, according to a press release. Meeting with various officials, the delegation was hosted by EBRD Associate
Director Ian Brown, head of Bosnia and Herzegovenia; Director Holger Muent,
regional head of Western Balkans; and Deputy Director of Governance and
Political Affairs Oleg Levitin. The delegation consisted of Director Zbigniew Hockuba, Director Ove Jensen,
Director Heinz Kaufmann, Director Johannes Koskinen, Director Johannes
Seiringer, Director Klaus Stein, Alternate Director Dragoş Andrei, Alternate
Director Pablo Gasós, Alternate Director László Havas and Alternate Director Arnar
Másson.
EBRD expanded investments in Bosnia and
Herzegovina to $212 million in 2016, a move enabled by the country’s 2015 reform agenda. To date, the bank has invested approximately $2.1 billion in
the country through 137 projects. The recent trip will enable the board to make
informed decisions in its 2017-21 agenda, which will feature increase private
sector support, closer links with regional markets and efficient and
sustainable uses of resources, according to the release.
