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“Bosnia and Herzegovina went through the investment cycle of investing in motorways, and now the time has come to start investing in railways. To find models of financing is needed, but also is the political will to embark boldly on the green transition, and to make railways the BiH economy lifeblood“; said Minister Forto on whose initiative the panel on the investments in the railway infrastructure opened the Sarajevo Business Forum.

Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Stefano Ellero, said that the Western Balkans has a great opportunity: “the growth plan represents a great offer for the Western Balkans, with 6 billion euros at disposal. We have provided 5 billion of euros in grants to stimulate investments, but the political will and involvement are needed in order to attract this funding.”

The Director of the Transport Community Permanent Secretariar, Matej Zakonjšek, noted that 80% of investments in the Western Balkans transport was focused on roads, and that reforms aimed at modernising railway infrastructure and connecting the region are needed.

When it comes to the digital transformation, which was the topic of the second panel, Minister Forto pointed out that BiH, as early as 2006, began regulating the legislation which provides for the digital signature, but unfortunatelly failed to achive much in the digital transformation.

”It is my duty to ensure that digital transformation is not a phrase like „smart cities“ or „green energy“. Both citizens and businesses must benefit from digital transformation. Therefore, in this early phase of our digital transformation, I demand for some visible processes which bother our citizens and businesses to be isolated, such as CIPS certificates. Digital transformation in BiH is practically just beginning”, said Minister Forto while concluding his address.

The Acting Director of BiH Telecom, Amel Kovačević, said that BIH Telecom is a leading telecommunications operator, and has a major role in the process of digitalisation in our country.

“BIH Telecom is investing in the digital society development infrastructure, and therefore, in the period ahead, we will continue to invest significantly in the most quality digital broadband Internet”.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of the Republic of Slovenia, Aida Kamišalić Latifić, congratulated BiH for accessing the Digital Europe Programe, and noted that Slovenia was facing challenges of the digital skills development, and focusing on the infrastructure and new digital services.