The meeting of Collaborative Network was held for implementation of the Post Investment Support Programme for Investors in the Republic of Srpska, with Minister Vojin Mitrović in attendance. The Collaborative Network consists of the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship and representatives from 28 local self-governments in the Republic of Srpska (including Bileća, Brod, Derventa, Čelinac, Foča, Istočno Novo Sarajevo, Zvornik, Novi Grad, Šipovo, Šamac, Kotor Varoš, Modriča, Mrkonjić Grad, Laktaši, Prnjavor, Banja Luka, Bijeljina, Prijedor, Teslić, Pale, Sokolac, Gradiška, Vlasenica, Srbac, Stanari, Trebinje, Srebrenica, and Doboj). The Post Investment Support Programme to Investors (also known as the aftercare programme) has been in operation since 2013, aiming to encourage already existing investors in the Republic of Srpska to reinvest and improve their ties with the local economy. The main goals of the Programme are:
– systemic strengthening of cooperation between local, republic, and private sectors
– creating a higher quality and more comprehensive database of existing investment obstacles through field visits
– creating a systemic approach in managing investors’ problems
– support for existing investors for reinvestment
– strengthening capacities of local communities
– creating a system for managing the problems investors face with, thereby fostering a favourable business environment for investing
– higher quality information about economic currents in individual local communities
– higher quality information about investment potentials
– a systemic and mutual approach to promoting potentials for foreign investments at both the national and local levels
The cooperation between local communities and the national level is one of the crucial factors in successfully attracting new investments and retaining existing ones and it is one of important strategic priorities of the Republic of Srpska. In this regard, it has been concluded that the Post Investment Support Programme for Investors (the aftercare programme) should be intensified in 28 local self-governments, with the goal of expanding the Programme to the remaining local communities.
To implement this Programme, the first step will be to organise mutual visits to economic subjects with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship, as well as representatives of cities and municipalities.
One of the key instruments for attracting investors is the establishment of strong internal organisation within local communities. The true example of this is the standard established through the Business-Friendly Certification Programme in South East Europe (BFC SEE), as well as the support provided by local community management in every phase of investment attraction, implementation, and investment monitoring.
Key information has been jointly identified that local communities should have at all times in order to provide adequate support to their investors.
The regular exchange of information regarding investments has also been discussed, along with the proposals for utilising the best practices in establishing standards of efficient governance and promotive channels.
The Ministry will decisively work on the achievement of the defined goals and expect clear and high-quality cooperation with local self-governments.
