As a part of the 7th International Eco Fair EKOBIS 2009, the First Business Matchmaking Fair took place in Bihać from 3 to 6 September 2009.
The Business Matchmaking Fair, financed by the European Union through the project "Establishment of Regional Business Matchmaking Centre Bihać", was organised by PLOD Centre, Bihać Municipality and the Chamber of Commerce of Una-Sana Canton. The objective of the Fair was to enable business matchmaking between the small and medium enterprises from North West region of BiH and foreign SMEs.
TheFair also aimed at business matchmaking between Una-Sana Canton municipalitiesand both BiH and foreign investors, interested in investing private capitalinto municipal projects through public-private partnership.
This business matchmaking activity was realised through one-to-one meetings and in the first two days of the Fair, around 30 such meetings took place, where the participants discussed possibilities for business cooperation.
During the Fair, Memorandum on business cooperation was signed between Development Agency of Varaždin canton – AZRA d.o.o. Varaždin, Guarantee Agency of Varaždin Canton – GARA d.o.o. Varaždin and PLOD Centre. The signatories of the Memorandum committed themselves to a cooperation in the area of fostering and creating cross-border partnership in order to increase cross-border activities, creation of better business environment and regional competition, transfer of know-how and expert assistance.
Ms Dina Karic, Task Manager in the European Commission Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressed the participants at the opening of the Fair, together with Ms Hamdija Lipovaca, Mayor of Bihac Municipality, Mr Ismet Pašalić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Una-Sana Canton and Mr Haris Komić, Director of PLOD Centre.
Several workshops were organised during the Fair on the following topics: "Legal provisions and standards relevant for establishing a partnership between BiH and foreign companies ","Experiences in creating international business relations", "Strategy on how to enter a new market ", "Opportunities, challenges and flaws in various forms of business matchmaking". Positive examples of business matchmaking between companies "Regeneracija" and "Austrotherm BH” were also presented.
