Mr. Johan Hesse, First Counsellor of the European Commission Delegation to BiH and Head of Operations Section for Economic Reform and Natural Resources together with Mr. Salem Dedić, Mayor of Municipality Jablanica cut the ribbon and opened the Business Incubator in Jablanica today. The Business Incubator in Jablanica has been established within the Project "Establishment of the Regional Entrepreneurship Centre in Herzegovina" funded by the European Union.
The Business Incubator is an example of how European Union supports development of small and medium enterprises, explained Mr. Hesse by adding that this support had been very successful in the EU member states. „Basic approach in supporting small and medium enterprises and their development are activities aimed to downsize inauguration cost during establishment of business until they become self-sustainable. This is highlighted in the EU policies which are based on the Charter on Small and Medium Enterprises.”, said Mr. Hesse. He also expressed his gratitude to the Mayor of Jablanica Municipality and the municipality itself because they recognised importance of this project and supported it financially. He also wished them success in their work.
The project was implemented by the Entrepreneurship and Business Association LiNK Mostar, in cooperation with the partner municipalities of Trebinje and Jablanica, the Association of independent entrepreneurs Jablanica and with support of the Federal Ministry for Development, Entrepreneurship and Craftsmanship. Mr. Salem Dedić expressed his appreciation to the European Commission because it recognised the municipality of Jablanica as partner in this project. „For the municipality, this project is very important. It is the interest of the municipality to gather as many entrepreneurs as possible in the course of Incubator’s activities, and to facilitate their business activities, carrying out of business ideas, and job creation trough municipal administration. In cooperation with entrepreneurs’ association, the municipality will support the project“, said Mr. Dedić.
The value of the construction works on rehabilitation of the Business Incubator premises, which is situated in the Battle for Neretva Museum, was 43,567 KM. Municipality of Jablanica handed over the Business Incubator to the Association of Independent Entrepreneurs Jablanica for management and use for the period of 10 years. Beneficiaries of business incubators are newly registered enterprises or natural entities who want to start their own businesses in the Business Incubator.
Mr. Velibor Sudar, Team Leader on behalf of the Entrepreneurship and Business Association LiNK Mostar, explained that a public call for beneficiaries of the Business Incubator Jablanica was announced on 17 November 2008, and would remain open until all of its capacities are fully consumed. „In the forthcoming period, beneficiaries will be selected and trained, as well as the staff of the Incubator, and early next year, we will organise a conference on «Incubating business in BiH», announced Mr. Sudar.
The total value of the project Establishment of the Regional Entrepreneurship Centre in Herzegovina is 337,120 Euro, out of which the European Union provided 88% of the value.
