FIPA has been implementing the Aftercare Programme from 2007, and since 2013, within the framework of the Programme, the Cooperative Network has been established as the mechanism for cooperation between institutions at all the levels of government in BiH that are contributing to faster overcoming of obstacles in the course of realization of investment projects, and are, in that manner, actively contributing to improvements in the business environment within the framework of their competencies. Taking into account that the activities of the Cooperative Network are focused on the resolution of administrative challenges that the investors are facing, the Agency is, together with the representatives of units of local self-governance, entity, and state institutions, members of the Network, visiting investors active in BiH and performing structured discussions with them with the objective of collecting information and identification of administrative barriers for investment. Information collected in the field are being analysed by FIPA BIH and then delegated to state, entity, and local authorities for deliberation, and their resolution is proposed in recommendations.

The Cooperative Network today has 40 members, and since 2013 to 2017, 159 companies have been visited through the network.

In total, over 150 open issues have been identified. A large number of these issues are solved by the active commitment and participation of institutions. For 12 companies, it is currently working to resolve open issues. 204 reform measures were passed out of which 20 were fully implemented, 25 partially, 45 are in procedure, and activities were not yet started for 10 obstacles.

According to the presented report for 2017 adopted by the BiH Council of Ministers, the Agency has, independently, or within the framework of the Cooperative Network, performed 50 visits to investors that have, thus far, invested BAM 836,5 million or EUR 427.7 million and employed 5,457 Bosnian and Herzegovinian workers, of which 4,114 newly employed. The Analysis of results has shown that 78,3% companies were interested in expansion and improvement of their operations, while 84,8% companies plan to increase employment in the next three years and 1,795 new workers. That is the very reason why it is of key significance that all the levels of government in BiH recognize the significance of activities that are being implemented through the Cooperative Network, and get involved in its work and provide maximum support in the resolution of the open issues that stand in the way of realization of those investment plans.

The International Finance Corporation IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is, in cooperation with the Embassy of United Kingdom, and through the Project for attracting investments and improvement of business environment at the local level “LIFE” and Project for Improvement of Business Climate and Access to Markets “ICAM”, supporting the work and providing technical support to the Investors’ Aftercare Programme in BiH and realization of activities of the Cooperative Network in BiH.