On 15th June 2010 at BBI headquarters in Sarajevo Memorandum on joint participation on the CIS market was signed by ten reputable Bosnian construction and related companies. Participation at the International Investment Conference in Azerbaijan due to be held on 21-23 June 2010,  will be the first joint activity of the new Consortium. Trip to Azerbaijan and the establishment of the BH Consortium are the direct outcome of the continuing activities of the Sarajevo Business Forum held on April 6-7 in Sarajevo. 

BH Consortium comprises Eltra d.o.o., Euroasfalt d.o.o., Fining d.o.o., ARH Group d.o.o., Hidrogradnja d.o.o., Širbegović Group d.o.o., Šipad Komerc d.d., Tehnograd d.o.o. and Jump Logistics & Halal Europe, and Granoff d.o.o.
While addressing the Consortium CEO of BBI Amer Bukvic emphasized that the Signing of Memorandum represent the logical conclusion resulted from the previous meeting with BH companies that decided to set up the Consortium and one of many business activities and efforts spearheaded  by Sarajevo Business Forum. According to Mr. Bukvic, the Business Conference in Azerbaijan will be a unique opportunity for BH companies to mount a concerted approach in the market of Azerbaijan and the rest of CIS countries expected to be present at Baku Business Forum. This is a realistic chance for BH companies to secure business contracts as well as for establishing contacts with business community in this strategically important part of the world.

‘We will try to enable BH Construction Consortium to get access to business projects financed by BBI’s parent company the IDB so we can find common interest for BH companies’ said Mr. Bukvic and added that BBI would, in collaboration with other banks, endeavor to secure credit bank guarantees and other banking services necessary to secure business contracts. BBI director pointed out that joint participation of Bosnian companies would provides much better possibility for business cooperation. Getting access to the market in this part of the world is a long road which requires dedicated and hard work.

Deputy CEO of Sirbegovic Group Midhat Osmanbegovic declared that due to the fact Bosnian market is too small and already saturated the forthcoming investment conference in Azerbaijan offers good opportunity to get access to new markets. ‘Azerbaijan is the market where companies from BH are welcome and we will do our best to convince the business community in Azerbaijan that we are capable and competent to accomplish complex tasks according to highest international standards and provide excellent quality.

Director >General of Sipad Komerc Hamza Kazazic commented that his company had its presence in markets of the former Soviet republics before the war and that investment conference in Baku is an excellent chance to reestablish this cooperation and to widen its scope. ‘If construction companies secure contract in this part of the world, our company automatically come into equation and will be well position to establish business cooperation’ Mr. Kazazic said adding that Sipad sees its own opportunity in furnishing hotels, residential properties and in distribution of all sorts of necessary furniture and goods for construction projects.

Director of Hidrogradnja Semin Masic told journalists that his company looks forward to participating in the Baku conference very seriously and that it is quite enthusiastic about this new opportunity and conditions related to it. Mr. Masic was confident that his firm could offer a lot to the business community in the construction segment in the region, particularly in the area of infrastructure and hydro-electric sector. We expect to be received in a favorable manner’ Mr. Masic commented.

The Azerbaijan Investment conference at which business and government representatives from CIS countries will participate is organized by the Ministry of Economic development  of Azerbaijan  and Islamic Development Bank, the founder of BBI.