The representative of the Association of Citizens “Nešto Više”, Duško Cvjetinović, attended the expert meeting organized by the Cooperative Association of BiH on October 28 and 29, 2010 in Sarajevo. The two-day gathering entitled “COOPERATIVES IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE REGION- STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS” was attended, in addition to representatives of the host country, by representatives of Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Vojvodina and Montenegro.
The meeting was actively attended by representatives of institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations- Sector of Agriculture, Foreign Trade Chambers, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and from local non-governmental organizations UG “Nešto Više” and REZ Agency.
The aim of gathering was to exchange experiences on the current legal framework in which cooperatives operate in the countries of the region, as well as to enhance the possibility of inter-cooperative regional business cooperation, all with the aim of strengthening ties between alliances started at earlier gatherings.
On the first day of the meeting, papers were presented by representatives of all cooperative unions from the region on the situation and application of laws governing the field of cooperatives. The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina spoke about the state and prospects of the agricultural sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina region.
After the expert meeting, several conclusions were proposed, of which we emphasize the following: it is necessary to continue the exchange of experiences related to the regulations governing the fields of cooperatives; through mutual visit to learn from concrete examples the achieved levels of business in certain productions; find opportunities for joint implementation of projects that will support the development and cooperation of cooperatives in the region, apply positive experiences from the region. Several proposed conclusions also referred to the situation of cooperative sectors in BiH and it is emphasized that special attention should be paid to the harmonization of laws on cooperatives and other laws regulating this area; adoption of strategic documents- strategy for the development of agriculture and agricultural cooperatives.
