Zagreb, (IKA) – An economic forum, Potentials for the Development and Stimulation of the Economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was held on Friday, March 14, at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute in Zagreb. The meeting was organized by Croatian Caritas in cooperation with the Prsten (Ring) Association of Bosnian Croats, within the auspices of the Lenten campaign, A Week of Solidarity and Community with the Church and People of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The forum was attended by Archbishop Cardinal Josip Bozanić of Zagreb, Archbishop Cardinal Vinko Puljić of Sarajevo, the head of Caritas of the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo and Srijem; Bishop Josip Mrzljak of Varaždin, the head of Croatian Caritas; Auxiliary Bishop Đuro Gašparović of Đakovo and Srijem, Auxiliary Bishop Valentin Pozaić of Zagreb; the minister of foreign affairs, Gordan Jandroković; the minister of science, education and sports, Dragan Primorac; the minister of finance and representative of the president of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, Ivan Šuker; the representative of the president of the Republic of Croatia, Vladimir Lončerević; the representative of the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia, Representative Ivan Bagarić; Mayor Milan Bandić of Zagreb, and representatives of the economic and political sectors of the Republics of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Cardinal Bozanić emphasized that once again the Church in Croatia, faithful to its mission and at the urging of the Holy Father, organized this forum through Croatian Caritas, in addition to many charitable undertakings. Through this forum, together with competent persons of various professional interests and activities, it seeks to determine as systematic and concrete a manner of engagement as possible.
Cardinal Puljić particularly emphasized the importance of solidarity, especially during Lent, and referred to Jesus’ prayer for unity. “We are in different states and scattered throughout the world but we are too small a nation for us to be divided. May such programs build mutual bonds and provide encouragement for us who are struggling to survive, to find possibilities to preserve our existence,” said Cardinal Puljić.
Biskup Srakić referred to the Papal encyclicals in which solidarity is emphasized and congratulated Croatian Caritas for initiating undertakings that contribute to this solidarity with the Croatian nation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bishop Mrzljak said that such campaigns provide new paths for raising the awareness of the people in the Republics of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina for greater cohesiveness and mutual solidarity, spiritual and material testimony to community with the Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and then, but no less important, concrete assistance to Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “In summary, we want to say to the Croatian nation in Bosnia and Herzegovina that it is not alone and forgotten,” said Bishop Mrzljak.
Bruno Iljkić, president of the Economic Section of the Prsten Association, briefly presented the association and the specific activities that have been undertaken in the past two years, especially in support of the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Milan Bandić, the mayor of Zagreb, noted that for many years the city of Zagreb has supported projects for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and will continue to do so in the future. Minister Primorac spoke about the contribution by the Croatian government, especially in the area of education, and Vladimir Lončarević spoke about the importance of solidarity, which is not only religious but also human and national, and emphasized how important it is for the Croatian nation in Bosnia Herzegovina, as a sovereign and constituent nation, to define its goals, and Croatia is here to be a partner in the implementation of concrete projects that signify life and development. Ivan Bagarić emphasized that it is the obligation of all in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to coordinate efforts so that our nation in its own homeland of Bosnia and Herzegovina finally achieves the full equality to which it is entitled according to the Constitution and international conventions. Ivan Šuker pointed out that nearly 15% of total Croatian exports go to Bosnia and Herzegovina and, therefore, Bosnia and Herzegovina is an important economic partner. He noted that the Catholic Church has contributed to the bonds between the Croats of both states.
During the first part of the forum, the speakers presented activities to date for providing assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ivan Milovčić, the head of Croatian Caritas, spoke about the results of last year’s campaign, in which the funds collected financed 37 projects determined through public competitions in the areas of social welfare, education and the development of small family enterprises in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Gordan Jandroković, the minister of foreign affairs and European integration of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, spoke about the forms of assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina provided by the Government of the Republic of Croatia in recent times. Dr. Ivo Lovrić of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Zagreb and Ivan Tolj of Styria International spoke about the proposal to establish a mixed commission and development agency, an idea discussed during previous forums, to provide even more concrete support and monitor the development and humanitarian projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the second part of the forum, Anton Kovačev, president of the Managing Board of the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development, provided a response to the challenge of the continued development and stimulus of the economy in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, and spoke about the importance and role of the private and public sectors in creating a possible guarantee fund for microloans. Various forms of support for the development of small family enterprises were discussed by Ivan Fureš of Croatian Caritas, Dr. Drago Čengić of the Ivo Pilar Institute, Dr. Davor Salamon of the Center for Innovation and the Development of Cooperation; Tomislav Kovačevič, the president of the Managing Board of the Croatian Agency for Small Business; and Bruno Iljkić of the Prsten Association.
Concluding the forum, Cardinal Vinko Puljić once again emphasized the importance of this initiative in restoring self-confidence to the Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.