The "Poduzetništvo u BiH: Bilans uspjeha 2023" (Entrepreneurship in BiH: Success Balance 2023) conference was held in Sarajevo on the 16th and 17th of November, 2023. Organised by the Local Employment Partnership Centre and the Novo Sarajevo Municipality in collaboration with the Centre for Excellence in Entrepreneurship Sarajevo, the conference was a part of the EU4Business Recovery project, supported by the European Union and the German Federal Republic, and implemented by GIZ MOR and UNDP. It focused on the principal themes and challenges in cultivating an entrepreneurial environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the outcomes of related interventions presented.
The final conference featured a pivotal roundtable discussion with International Burch University (IBU) and its rector, Prof. Dr. Mersid Poturak. Gathering key figures in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the event took place in Sarajevo.
Prof. Dr. Poturak, serving as the host and principal speaker at the roundtable entitled "Public Perception of Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurs in BiH," highlighted the integral role of IBU in strengthening entrepreneurship in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As the preeminent entrepreneurial university in Bosnia and Herzegovina, IBU has led the way in delivering an education that is meticulously tailored to the needs of both existing and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Key outcomes of the roundtable were the significant contributions of IBU in several domains:
- It is critical to provide timely and targeted support for entrepreneurs throughout the various stages of their business development. IBU's unwavering support through training, mentorship, and institutional assistance has proven essential not only at the start-up phase but also as businesses mature.
- Altering the public perception of entrepreneurship is imperative for the encouragement of new entrepreneurial endeavours. Through the promotion of successful entrepreneurial cases and the incorporation of entrepreneurship into its educational curricula, IBU has been at the forefront of this transformation.
Under Prof. Dr. Poturak's guidance, IBU has achieved considerable progress in educating entrepreneurs and modifying the societal perception of entrepreneurship. This success is attributed to the university's progressive syllabi and a business incubator that has overseen the creation of new enterprises.
The conference, as a component of the EU4Business Recovery project, epitomises the united efforts of various entities, including the European Union, the German Federal Republic, GIZ MOR, and UNDP, in fortifying the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The active involvement and contributions of IBU at this event not only accentuate their pivotal role in this economic revival but also their dedicated commitment to fostering a future rich in entrepreneurial opportunities for Bosnia and Herzegovina.