Bosnia highlights investment opportunities at OIC meeting in Istanbul
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković is participating in the 42nd Ministerial Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC) in Istanbul.
The session was opened by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz on behalf of Turkish President and COMCEC Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Representatives of OIC member states and observer countries are discussing ways to strengthen trade, investment and financial cooperation, CE Report informs via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s official website.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, participation in the meeting represents a continuation of its engagement following the recent ministerial meeting in Baghdad, with a focus on economic cooperation and opportunities to translate established political relations into stronger business partnerships.
Addressing the ministerial exchange of views session dedicated to trade financing and export growth, Minister Konaković said that, amid uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, political trust facilitates business cooperation, while stronger economic ties help countries better withstand instability.
He stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina has well-developed economic cooperation with some OIC member states, while trade relations with others have yet to match the strength of their political friendship.
Trade between Bosnia and Herzegovina and OIC member states totalled €1.73 billion in 2025, with Türkiye accounting for the largest share. Discussing opportunities to increase trade, the minister emphasised that companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, need support to enter new markets. More accessible financing, guarantees and export credit insurance would enable them to expand production and take on larger orders.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is interested in strengthening cooperation in the metalworking, wood processing, defence and automotive industries, as well as agriculture and food production.
The minister particularly highlighted opportunities to combine the production capacities and investment potential of OIC countries with the experience and business connections that Bosnian companies have established in European markets.
He noted that 93% of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s exports go to European Union member states and candidate countries, while more than 60% of foreign direct investment comes from the EU. He described the country's European integration path, skilled workforce and industrial experience as important advantages for joint production and access to European markets.
The interest of OIC member states in investing in Bosnia and Herzegovina is also reflected in the total value of their direct investments, which stood at €1.28 billion as of 30 June 2026. Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar are among the leading investors.
The minister called for further cooperation in manufacturing and tourism, as well as investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and information technology.
In this context, he highlighted the halal sector, which includes 124 certified companies and more than 8,000 certified products, and invited partners to visit trade fairs in Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet domestic producers and explore potential business opportunities.
He also referred to tourism ties, particularly with Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, noting that the OIC markets covered by the analysis accounted for more than 310,000 tourist arrivals and over 568,000 overnight stays in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025.
Konaković stressed that existing business contacts and growing interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina provide a solid foundation for new investments and a stronger presence of Bosnian companies in OIC markets.
Photo Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
