Bosnia, Italy consider joint projects in energy, industrial development

Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nermin Nikšić, and Federal Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry, Vedran Lakić, met at the Government headquarters in Sarajevo with Sarah Eti Castellani.

The meeting was also attended by Lucia Bonelli, Head of the Regional Office for the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbouring Countries at Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), CE Report informs via the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's official website.

Castellani and Bonelli presented the work of this important Italian investment promotion and development finance institution, which operates in numerous countries worldwide and provides support to governments and other levels of authority in areas such as energy, agriculture, and digitalization. The guests emphasized that they see significant potential for cooperation that could contribute to the development of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in the field of renewable energy.

Prime Minister Nikšić thanked them for their interest and highlighted the strong economic cooperation that already exists, noting that there is room for further improvement. He recalled that Italy is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s leading foreign trade partners and an important supporter of the country’s path toward membership in the European Union.

Minister Lakić stated that there are numerous projects that could be discussed in the context of future cooperation with CDP. He explained that these primarily include projects related to the energy and industrial sectors, such as just transition initiatives, renewable energy development, energy infrastructure and grid modernization, digitalization of energy networks, as well as projects in the textile, leather, and footwear industries.

The participants also discussed potential cooperation between CDP and the Development Bank of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was emphasized that the bank plays a significant role in supporting businesses and economic development across the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The interlocutors once again underlined the strong and friendly relations between the two countries and stressed that, following today’s presentation, there is a realistic opportunity and mutual interest in strengthening their partnership and expanding economic cooperation.

Photo Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina