Key partners support the “SBA in BiH” project

Within implementation of initial activities of the project “European Small Business Act as a framework of SME strategies and policies in BiH” (short name of the project “SBA in BiH”), initial meetings were successfully held with all key partners – representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic relations of BiH; the Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of the Federation of BiH; the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining of the Republika Srpska; the Ministry of Economic Relations and Regional Cooperation of the Republika Srpska and the Department for Economic Development, Sport and Culture of the Brčko District.

All partners expressed their support to the project and readiness to participate actively in process of developing a common methodology for strategic planning of SMEs development based on the European Small Business Act and the SME Policy Index, as well as in preparation of new SME development strategies using above mentioned methodology, which is harmonized with the EU and IPA planning cycle. Also, there is a consensus of partners regarding harmonization of the legal framework related to SMEs, with recommendations and guidelines from the European Small Business Act.

The project “SBA in BiH” should contribute to the acceleration of economic integration with the European Union regarding the framework for support to SMEs with a positive impact on improving their business performances. The project is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) through the Embassy of Sweden in Bosnia and Herzegovina.