The acting director of the Investment and Development Bank of Republika Srpska, Dražen Vrhovac, stated that the bank is working intensively on promoting the potentials of Republika Srpska at the international level, with significant support from the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, and the Government of Republika Srpska.
- I am very satisfied with how we have positioned ourselves and carried out the planned activities over the past few months. Two and a half years ago, when we started promoting Republika Srpska, we were at zero, and today we have more than 260 companies in our portfolio with which we have active cooperation, Vrhovac said.
He emphasized that the tax policy of Srpska is highly stimulating in this regard, as well as its position on the border with the European Union.
- Given that the EU has high taxes on profits and dividends, we are very autonomous with our tax policy, which provides for zero tax on dividends and 10% on profits, making it very attractive for investors considering Srpska’s position with access to the European market of more than 640 million inhabitants, Vrhovac stated for Srna.
He added that the IRB is preparing for the “Invest Forum,” which, along with the investment conference “Invest Srpska,” is scheduled to be held in November on Jahorina, where they expect even greater attendance from companies. He reminded that last year in Banja Luka, there were 70 companies from 22 countries.
- Companies worldwide have seen us as a credible partner they can trust, considering that we are state-owned, which gives them security in their investments. We have built mutual trust and managed to make investors feel welcome in Republika Srpska. We connect them with Srpska’s institutions, the President, and the Prime Minister, who support the implementation of their investments, Vrhovac said.
He expects that in the coming months, the issue related to the protection of investments from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be resolved, namely that an agreement will be signed, which would enable significant investors from this country to come.
- We have agreed with the Secretary-General of the UAE Council, the body that approves all payments and projects outside the country, that he will definitely come to the forum in November. Through their largest company, “AIM Global,” we have received assurances that the UAE Minister of Economy will attend the forum on Jahorina, which is very important. The UAE has invested $3.4 trillion abroad in recent years, Vrhovac noted.
He pointed out that the IRB delegation in Abu Dhabi, at the largest investment forum with more than 20,000 participants, established significant contacts and cooperation with the company “AIM Global,” which is a partner in organizing the investment forum and through which they aim to attract investors worldwide.
- We will combine the Fourth Investment Conference and the Second Investment Forum, from which we expect a lot and are preparing seriously, Vrhovac emphasized.
He highlighted that the IRB began this year with an ambitious plan, participating in major international gatherings in Europe and the world, as well as investment forums organized by the IRB in Vienna, Milan, and Istanbul, where they presented opportunities and projects to local entrepreneurs in which they could invest in Srpska.
- The IRB delegation was also in Riyadh at a large investment forum, invited by the organizers from Saudi Arabia. We presented our potentials to hundreds of companies and discussed with their Public Investment Fund, the largest state fund investing abroad, which has a budget of $925 billion and plans for global investments, Vrhovac said.
He mentioned that last week they were in Barcelona at a meeting of directors of European public banks, as the IRB is a member of the European Association of Public Banks.
- It is an important association where directors discuss future trends in Europe and the world, and it is crucial to be present and have that information, Vrhovac said.
He concluded that the IRB continues activities that will contribute to promoting Republika Srpska as a good and secure place for investment and thanked the President of Republika, the Prime Minister, and the Government of Srpska for their support in this work.
Source: RTRS
