ICT
Information and communication technology
Strategic Government priority with foreign market recognition and young workforce.
The ICT industry, with young educated professionals and an extensive network of companies and resources, is one of the most promising industries in the Republic of Srpska and is a strategic priority of the Government of Republic of Srpska. The ICT sector also offers great potential for outsourcing.
There are 350 companies from the information and communication technology sector operating in the Republic of Srpska. Companies from the IT industry in the Republic of Srpska are mainly oriented towards large global corporations and export their services. The advantages of the Republic of Srpska in this area are quality staff who have the knowledge and competencies to respond to challenging tasks. Revenues in this area are 50% above the RS average.
Strategic priority of the Government of the Republic of Srpska (new Ministry for Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society formed in 2018)
Significant potential of young and well-educated workforce (70% of workers under 35 years of age)
Growing interest of young people in ICT education
Recognition on the world market through partnerships of domestic companies with well-known international companies (NCR)
The ICT sector achieves the fastest growth in exports, revenue growth and the number of employees
The quality of knowledge of our experts in this field, who are studying at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Banja Luka, also contributes significantly to the perspective of the ICT sector and the growing interest of foreign investors. Since 2009, doctoral studies (III cycle studies) of Information and Communication Technology have been established at this Faculty, which are the first doctoral studies according to the Bologna principles in the Republic of Srpska and one of the first of this type in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Apart from the teachers of the University of Banja Luka, professors of well-known European universities have also participated in the realisation of these studies so far: the University of Paderborn (Germany), Mälardalen University, in Sweden; University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), and the University of Belgrade and Novi Sad (Serbia). A double doctoral study with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) was organized for the best students.
Given that the ICT industry is a relatively young industry in the Republic of Srpska, there are great opportunities for investment, such as the development of the software industry and hardware industry, as well as great opportunities for various forms of cooperation with domestic companies.
Favorable business conditions for companies in this area have been recognised by some large international companies, such as the American company NCR, which have started their activities in the Republic of Srpska and are constantly expanding them.
