PDHR Calls for More Support for SMEs from Regional Development
Agencies

Regional development strategies are a key element in transforming the BiH
business environment, the Principal Deputy High Representative, Larry Butler,
will tell a meeting in Sarajevo today – but he will emphasise that paper
strategies must be turned into tangible programmes that help new businesses go
from start-up to profitability in the shortest period of time.

Ambassador Butler will be speaking at a conference marking the third
anniversary of the Sarajevo Economic Regional Development Agency (SERDA). He
will note that the RDAs are now offering concrete support to some SMEs, but a
huge amount remains to be done.

Ambassador Butler will call on SERDA and the other RDAs to lobby the BiH
authorities for faster reforms in business legislation, including the enactment
this year of a BiH Law on Obligations that will replace the Socialist-era
commercial code with regulations that correspond to the demands of the global
economy in the 21^st century.

I have brought along copies of Ambassador Butler’s speech.

PDHR to Visit Ravno and Trebinje Promote Regional Development,
SMEs

The Principal Deputy High Representative, Larry Butler,
will visit

Herzegovina

on
Thursday 18 May. Ambassador Butler will meet with regional entrepreneurs. 
Discussion will focus on removing investment roadblocks and improving the
prospects for business expansion and job creation in BiH through regional
development and SME development. In other countries this strategy has proved
effective in stopping mass migration away from the countryside and from smaller
towns.

After Ambassador Butler’s meeting with regional entrepreneurs press
statements will be organized:

at 14:00 on Thursday 18 May

at the Lastva, restaurant “Bijela
Ladja”