EBRD Delegation Visits CBBH

A delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) visited the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBBH) and discussed with the Governor of the CBBH, Jasmina Selimović, Ph.D. and her associates, on the continuation of cooperation, as well as, the issues of importance in the field of monetary policy, financial stability and further development of the financial sector.

The EBRD delegation consisted of Elisabeth Vitzthum, EBRD Board Member, Stela Melnic, EBRD Director for BH, and Tamir Mostarac, Senior Banker at the EBRD for BH. The EBRD has been one of the key institutional partners of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its development since 1996, with more than two hundred projects implemented.

During the meeting, they discussed current challenges and future opportunities for improving the financial system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a focus on supporting economic recovery and sustainable development. They also discussed green finance and European integration, joining the SEPA geographical area, and in particular, deepening cooperation between the EBRD and the CBBH.

Over the years of cooperation, the EBRD has supported the CBBH through energy efficiency and environmentally friendly technologies projects, in the field of harmonization with international standards and through technical assistance and knowledge exchange.

Among the significant projects whose implementation, with the support of the EBRD, is underway, is the implementation of the WE Finance Code, an initiative that aims to improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises owned by women. As part of the activities of the Statistics and Publications Department of the CBBH in terms of integrating the gender dimension into statistical monitoring and analysis, the EBRD, during this year, was part of a diagnostic mission to assess the state of available data and identify methodological challenges in the development of gender-sensitive statistics. Also, the EBRD, in cooperation with the CBBH, will implement activities within the "Women on Boards" project, which aims to improve gender equality and the representation of women in management structures.

The meeting confirmed the joint commitment of the EBRD and the CBBH to further strengthen cooperation, with the aim of creating a stable and sustainable financial environment that encourages economic development and investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.