Official launch of the project Supporting export development and promotion in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EU EXPRO II) was held today at the Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH.

EU EXPRO II is financed by the European Union with a budget of €1.4 million and will be implemented by the UK consulting company WYG International Limited. The project aims to help increase the volumes of BiH exports and improve the balance of trade.   „This project consists of three components, the first is the creation of export strategies and assistance to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations BiH and Export Council, the second component is to assist the Agency for Export Promotion and the third part of the project refers to the strengthening of institutions," said Dragisa Mekic, Assistant Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations and Chairman of the Export Council.

Andrew Thorburn, the team leader of EUEXPRO II said that the latest export trends in BiH are positive, but that there is a long way to go. "The good news is that some companies are doing very well and growing fast, and we want to help more companies through this project, in order to increase the number of exporters," said Thorburn.    Addressing the guests Johann Hesse, Head of Economic Reform and Natural Resources Section, EU Delegation to BiH said: „The EC is looking forward to working with the BiH Government representatives at all levels to ensure that the conditions for future prosperity and eventual membership of the European Union are put in place. I hope that EU EXPRO 2 will become a useful part of this process. “   It is expected that the Project implementation will last until January 2012.