Sarajevo – ESI co-organises Baden-Baden Entrepreneur Talks study trip to Bosnia

Gerald moderates discussion with Jasminko Halilovic (Sarajevo War Childhood Museum. Photo: ESI

From 18 to 21 May 2023, ESI co-organised with the Baden-Baden Entrepreneur Talks (BBUG) a study trip to Sarajevo and Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It brought together around 90 German top executives, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.

ESI’s Gerald Knaus, Kristof Bender, Adnan Cerimagic, and Adnan Smajic took part in the study trip. It commenced with a comprehensive tour of Sarajevo and its vibrant past led by the ESI team, concluding with a welcome dinner, during which Gerald Knaus moderated a discussion with Michael Martens, author and FAZ Balkans correspondent.

On the second day, the participants visited Mostar and its surroundings. Kristof Bender moderated a discussion with Mario Kordic, Mostar's mayor. The participants also visited local businesses, where Adnan Cerimagic provided an overview of the country’s economic and investment potential, with a particular focus on tourism and agriculture.

The third day took place in Sarajevo's historical City Hall. Gerald and Adnan moderated a series of conversations featuring several distinguished guests: Marko Cadez, former Head of the Western Balkan Chamber of Commerce and current Head of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce; Mahmut Galijasevic, CEO of Mann+Hummel BA; Nasiha Pozder, the Minister of Environment and Tourism of the Federation of Bosnian and Hercegovina; Amel Kovacevic, an advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Benjamina Karic, Mayor of Sarajevo; and Jasminko Halilovic, Director of the Sarajevo War Childhood Museum.

Kristof moderates discussion with mayor Mario Kordic in Mostar. Photo: ESI

The study trip allowed participants to interact with regional and Bosnian policy makers and entrepreneurs and to gain a deeper understanding of both the opportunities and challenges that characterise Bosnia and the region. The study trip also presented an opportunity for the ESI team to share their research findings and strategic proposals.

• "Scoreboard - The true state of accession - What the Commission assessments reveal"
• "End the turtle race How the EU can address the crisis of the accession process"
• "Offer the four freedoms to the Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova For a merit-based EU accession process with a credible goal"
• "Abandon clichés about Bosnia: Push EU-related reforms instead of arbitrary conditions"
• "Anti-Corruption Report for the West Balkans: Measure corruption in order to fight it"