Republika Srpska is set to open another representative office, this time in France, with the goal of strengthening cooperation between local and French businesses.
At its latest session, the Government approved a proposal to establish the office, while the Minister for European Integration and International Cooperation, Zlatan Klokić, has been authorized to sign the necessary legal documents for its registration and opening in France through a notary.
“The process of opening the new representative office is underway, but due to the bureaucratic procedures in France, it is difficult to specify an exact timeline. It is expected to take a few months,” Klokić told Glas Srpske.
He emphasized the importance of establishing this office, given that an estimated 100,000 Serbs from the region currently reside in Paris.
“Additionally, in March, we plan to sign a cooperation agreement with the Val-d’Oise region, which will further strengthen ties with businesses in that part of France. A delegation of business representatives is also expected to attend a trade fair there, creating opportunities for new business connections,” Klokić added, noting that the office will most likely be headquartered in Paris.
Currently, Republika Srpska has eight representative offices worldwide.
“There is always room for improvement in their work. Some offices are performing exceptionally well, others are doing a good job, but there is always space for progress. Their primary role is to promote and advocate for the interests of Srpska, and they will continue to do so,” Klokić concluded.
The business community in Srpska welcomes the initiative.
“France is not traditionally a major market for our economy, but it is a large country with immense opportunities. If we aim to expand into new markets—especially one as challenging as France—establishing a representative office is an excellent idea. These offices play a key role in strengthening economic ties. They provide a centralized point where businesses can seek information and support, helping us collectively find ways to increase exports to this market,” said Pero Ćorić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Republika Srpska.
Currently, France ranks tenth in terms of foreign trade exchange with Republika Srpska.
Source: RTRS
