At a specialized event held on May 23 within the 4th China–Central and Eastern European Countries Expo in Ningbo, China, Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) made a notable presentation of their economic and tourism potentials. This important event was organized by the Embassy of BiH in China, led by Ambassador Siniša Berjan, who gave an interview for RTRS on the occasion.
The 4th China–CEE Countries Expo was held in Ningbo (Zhejiang Province) from May 22 to 25, under the theme “Embracing Innovation, Enhancing Practical Cooperation, and Shaping the Future.” Local companies were well-prepared. Can you tell us more about the domestic companies from Republika Srpska and BiH that participated and how cooperation with the People’s Republic of China has developed?
Republika Srpska and BiH showcased their potential this year through the participation of prominent domestic companies in the fields of wine production, natural cosmetics, and traditional handicrafts.
Among the exhibitors were wineries Tvrdos from Trebinje, “Citluk” and “Nuic,” as well as companies Elmar from Trebinje and Eko-Aromatic from Čapljina.
The fair was an opportunity for our products, already recognized for their quality on international markets, to be further promoted to the Chinese public.
Thanks to the initiative of the BiH Embassy in China and the strong support of the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, Staša Košarac, companies from Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH participating in the expo were granted six months of free product promotion in an exhibition space in Wuhan, along with access to other expos across China.
This type of support is a significant step toward expanding the presence of domestic products in the large and promising Chinese market.
Although there is still room to improve cooperation and reduce the trade deficit BiH has with China—as do most countries worldwide—it is encouraging that economic and trade relations are constantly evolving.
Participation in previous fairs, bilateral business forums, and joint projects within the Belt and Road Initiative have contributed greatly to this.
Is there a plan to introduce new products to the Chinese market, and why is the Ningbo Expo particularly important for BiH?
Promoting new products is one of the key goals of participating in the fair. Ningbo, as a leading logistics center in China, is an ideal location to present products to one of the world’s largest consumer markets, with over one billion consumers known for high spending and rapid adoption of new trends.
The expo enables direct contact with distributors, consumers, and business partners, opening opportunities for a wide range of goods—from food to natural cosmetics and artisanal products.
In addition to promotion, the expo provides concrete opportunities for long-term cooperation through B2B meetings, business forums, and networking with Chinese companies. Companies from Republika Srpska and BiH had the chance to learn about market trends, consumer habits, and preferences, which is crucial for tailoring offerings and increasing competitiveness.
How competitive is Bosnia and Herzegovina compared to other CEE countries, and how well do we understand the Chinese market?
BiH has significant potential to place its products on the Chinese market, especially in the segment of authentic, natural, and high-quality goods that are highly valued by Chinese consumers. However, there is a need for additional investment in branding, digital marketing, and better market analysis. Successful market entry requires not only product quality but also an understanding of consumer habits and adapting to market standards. Cooperation with Chinese partners through fairs and online platforms like JD.com and Tmall opens the door to a more competitive presence and export growth.
The BiH Embassy in China also organized a special event within the expo. Can you tell us more about that?
The BiH Embassy in China, with the generous support of Minister Staša Košarac and in cooperation with Chinese expo organizers, hosted a specialized event that prominently showcased the economic and tourism potential of Republika Srpska and BiH.
I had the honor of addressing the participants on behalf of the hosts. The event was officially opened with speeches by Minister Košarac and Ambassador Jiang Yu, Special Representative for Cooperation with Central and Eastern European Countries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
Particular attention was given to the presentation by Mr. Srđan Jovanović, Director General of the Investment-Development Bank (IRB) of Republika Srpska, and Mr. Zoran Talić, Director of the IRB Foreign Investment Sector, who highlighted key investment opportunities in energy, transportation, manufacturing, and tourism in Srpska. At the same time, representatives of the Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH emphasized the diverse tourism attractions across the country.
About one hundred participants from 37 Chinese companies attended the event and showed strong interest in cooperation, which is a clear indication that Republika Srpska and BiH have significant potential in this market.
The event was covered by numerous media outlets and was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Ningbo, a city of more than ten million inhabitants.
The expo also included academic exchange and cooperation between local communities. Were any new ties established with Chinese partners?
Through the efforts of the BiH Embassy in China, direct participation at the expo was made possible for delegations from the IRB of Republika Srpska, public universities in East Sarajevo and Banja Luka, and representatives of the cities of Laktaši and Trebinje, as well as the municipalities of Brod and Jezero. On that occasion, memoranda of intent were signed for twinning between the city of Laktaši and the city of Yantai (with over 7 million residents, Shandong Province), and between the municipality of Brod and the city of Yuyao (population 1.4 million, Zhejiang Province).
In the past year and a half, through the BiH Embassy in China, eight twinning agreements have been signed between municipalities of Republika Srpska and Chinese partners, with three more expected in the coming days. I would also like to highlight the signing of a cooperation agreement between Republika Srpska and Gansu Province, which has over 26 million residents.
I must also acknowledge the active role of university representatives from Republika Srpska in Ningbo. The Vice-Rector for International Cooperation of the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Dr. Kristina Pantelić Babić, and the Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of East Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Božidar Popović, participated in panel discussions and established numerous contacts with universities across China. Several academic cooperation agreements with Chinese universities have also been signed in the recent period through the Embassy.
Are you satisfied with the results achieved so far in BiH–China cooperation, and how do you see the future of these relations, particularly in the economic sphere?
Cooperation between BiH and China has significantly improved in recent years, especially in the areas of trade, investment, and cultural exchange. There is visible growth in interest from Chinese companies for investments in infrastructure, energy, tourism, and agriculture in Republika Srpska and BiH.
Although there are certain challenges, such as administrative barriers, differing regulatory standards, and geographical distance, I am confident that through joint efforts and institutional support, we can further strengthen economic ties and create new opportunities for economic growth.
The future of our relationship is bright. Continued cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, investment in innovation, the digital economy, and green transition, along with strengthening the presence of our companies in the Chinese market, provide a foundation for sustainable and mutually beneficial development,” concluded Berjan in his interview with RTRS.
Source: RTRS
