In order to provide the economy of Zenica- Doboj Canton with conditions for the easier development of new investment programs, to reduce the time required for obtaining the necessary documentation for starting-up, from the lowest to the highest levels of authorities, it is necessary to identify the major obstacles to the realization of these efforts.
This is the task of the special working group established by the Government of Zenica- Doboj Canton that implements this project in cooperation with IFC - International Finance Corporation, the Member of the World Bank. This government’s commission visits promising companies in Canton. The last visit was realized in the company Bontex from Maglaj and TTI from Zavidovici.
Ivica Mandura, advisor of the Prime Minister, Haris Hrgic, Assistant to the Secretary of the Government, Buza Osman, Assistant of the Minister of Economy and Amra Pojskic, senior associate at the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Transport and Communications and the Environment met with the owners of these companies and discussed on the current situation in the production. They offered help to resolve some obstacles in terms of obtaining certain licenses. These meetings were also attended by Eldara Sose from the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Dika Mustafic, Head of the Support Investors Department of the FIPA Agency.
As both Bontex and TTI represent foreign investments, it was discussed ways to get complicated legislation in certain areas simplified and thus enable greater exports and new employment.
Otherwise, the firm Bontex owned by Senajida Husic , manufactures shirts and other garments by and all production is exported to Switzerland. From January 2014, in addition to existing 190 employees, Bontex will employ another 200 workers who will produce medical textile equipment and clothing for foreign partners. Representatives of the Cantonal Government offered assistance in finding adequate staff of the textile profession, but also informed of the incentives given by the Government of Canton and other institutions for increasing production and exports.
Rifet Becic, the Director of TTI which manufactures fireplaces with gas and solid fuel, said that they are interested in incentives and in using the Credit-Guarantee Fund of the Government of Canton because they need capital. This company owned by the Dutch company Termozet International currently employs 59 workers, and all production is exported to the Netherlands and Spain. Production plans are constantly increased so that they will reach 3,000 fireplaces this year compared to 2,500 pieces in 2012.
During talks with the management of both companies, it was pointed out that the activities of the Zenica - Doboj Canton and the FIPA are very useful for manufacturing companies, especially for those which export their products in the European Union countries.
It was agreed the specific tasks and measures to be taken by the cantonal Government and relevant federal ministries and FIPA, especially in the part relating to the amendment of certain laws which are obstacles to further development of many other companies that have the same problems. It was also agreed that the owners of Bontex and TTI visit the Cantonal Ministry of Economy to arrange forms of support that can be given to them by the Government of Canton in order to increase production and create new jobs , which is a priority of the cantonal Government.