Within the preparations for the diplomatic mission, the newly-appointed BiH diploma Slaviša Ćeranić, Ambassador of BiH to Romania, and Siniša Berjan, Ambassador of BiH to Japan, visited FIPA in order to have information on the Agency's competencies, cooperation with foreign investors and current activities at field of economic cooperation with the mentioned countries.

FIPA Director Gordan Milinić informed Ambassadors about the work of the Agency in the field of foreign investment, work with and support to foreign investors in BiH, currently available investment projects, and sectors that could be of interest to investors from Romania and Japan.

He also referred to the growth trend of foreign investments in 2017 and 2018 when we recorded BAM 800 million, highlighting expectations of continued growth during 2019.

More significant effects of the economic diplomacy are expected in the field of exports from BiH and the finding of investors for BiH. It is therefore very important, after taking office, to establish contacts with economic and regional chambers of commerce, as well as associations of entrepreneurs and sectorial associations in order to present the potentials of BiH, as well as intensify the way to animate potential investors.

According to the official data of the Central Bank of BH, the current investments of Romania in BiH amount to BAM 3.4 million, while the most important Romanian companies are Steel Mehanika, Corrado Penna and Astra Invest.

No significant foreign investment in BiH was registered in Japan. The effects of several visits of Japanese economic delegations in BiH in the past two or three years are expected in the near future. It is important to note that Japan is one of the largest donors in BiH.

Importance of organizing business meetings between BiH and foreign businessmen has been highlighted in order to strengthen economic ties, increase investments, and follow economic events in order to involve BiH business and businessmen in new business flows.

It was agreed that Ambassadors organize investment forums for BiH in the near future.