The 3rd Business Forum was organized by the Chamber of Commerce of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Međugorje on the 8th November, with the participation of the President of the Adriatic-Ionian Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce for Construction, Transport and Communications Mirjana Čagalj.

The President of the FBiH Chamber of Commerce Marko Šantić opened the Forum, and the Mayor of Čitluk Marin Radišić, the Prime Minister of the Herzegovina-Neretva County Nevenko Herceg, the Deputy Prime Minister of the FBiH Government Jelka Miličević and the Deputy Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Vjekoslav Bevanda greeted the participants.

The main topic of the Forum was human resources as a factor of economic development, and Mrs Čagalj participated in the panel “Human resources – the advantage of BiH or a serious social problem – the situation in the countries of the region“, which specifically outlined the of lack of workers throughout the region and the projections for the future.

Talking about human resources and generally about workforce issues, Croatia, as well as neighbouring countries, are not in a very good position. Demographic projections for the future indicate that the number of inhabitants in Croatia will constantly decline and with it the working active population. The Croatian Chamber of Economy is involved in informing entrepreneurs about the measures of active employment policy implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Pension System and the Croatian Employment Service. The aim of the introduction of measures is to enable employers to take the necessary workforce more easily and faster and to receive in-place information on the procedures, the levels of support and the possibilities of using the measures according to the needs“, said Mirjana Čagalj.

She also pointed out that the biggest problem of labour shortages is a negative demographic trends the entire Adriatic-Ionian area. “It is hard to expect a large labour force inflow if you have a demographic downturn. Although the unemployment record suggests otherwise, many sectors have problems, starting from tourism and construction, regarding the lack of people with key qualifications. Therefore, one of the basic chamber projects is a dual education system that will enable people to be quickly re-qualified for the necessary occupations as well as young people to be educated and prepared for the labour market,” said Mirjana Čagalj.

Assistant Minister of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of FBiH Sead Džiho, Director of the Federal Employment Service Helena Lončar, President of Employers’ Association Business Center Jelah-Tešanj Senad Brka, Vice-Rector of the University of Mostar, Zdenko Klepić, and Secretary General of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro Pavle Radovanović also participated in the same panel.