Staša Košarac, Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, met today in Sarajevo with Denis Šulić, Minister of Trade and Tourism of Republika Srpska.
The main focus of the meeting was the specialized exhibition “EXPO 2027,” with Belgrade set to host this prestigious international event.
Recognition of EXPO 2027’s significance
Both officials emphasized the importance of “EXPO 2027” as a global event and congratulated Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Serbia’s leadership on this major international achievement.
“We are proud that Serbia will be the world capital of education, culture, and innovation from May 15 to August 15, 2027. This is a victory for Serbia and confirmation of its responsible policies,” said Košarac.
Košarac highlighted that organizing “EXPO 2027” in Belgrade demonstrates Serbia’s position as a regional leader and the most significant country in the Western Balkans.
“The fact that Belgrade prevailed over strong competitors such as Málaga (Spain), Minnesota (USA), Phuket (Thailand), and Bariloche (Argentina) to host the first ‘EXPO 2027’ in the Western Balkans is a testament to Serbia’s international reputation and influence,” he added.
Opportunities for Republika Srpska and BiH
Košarac emphasized that “EXPO 2027” presents a unique opportunity to showcase the economic potential of Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH.
“This is an opportunity not to be missed for promoting and affirming the economic capacities of Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH. It is a developmental chance not just for Belgrade and Serbia but for the entire Western Balkans, as ‘EXPO 2027’ is being organized in our region for the first time,” Košarac said.
Košarac and Šulić expressed their commitment to actively contribute, within their constitutional competencies, to the necessary procedures for participation and the presentation of domestic economic capacities at this prestigious global exhibition.
Support for fairs and tourism development
During the meeting, they also discussed the support provided by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH for organizing fairs in Republika Srpska and abroad, based on grant allocations.
It was highlighted that these funds supported numerous events in 2024, such as the Trebinje Energy Fair, the International Tourism Fair in Banja Luka, the Balkan Solar Summit in Banja Luka, the Jahorina Economic Forum, the “Banja Luka 2024” International Book Fair, and other fairs in Novi Sad, Belgrade, and across Europe.
One example of successful representation was Republika Srpska’s recent appearance at the International Tourism Fair in Vienna, where its diverse offerings were prominently showcased.
Košarac underlined the Ministry’s continued support for Republika Srpska’s institutions in organizing such events domestically and internationally.
Tourism and environmental initiatives
They also discussed advancing projects in tourism, particularly the development of eco-friendly tourist destinations, through the implementation of Green Climate Fund resources.
“Through these measures and the responsible policies of Republika Srpska’s institutions, we aim to support businesses in presenting their products effectively on both domestic and international markets,” Košarac concluded.
Source: RTRS
