REPUBLIKA SRPSKA'S INVESTMENT POTENTIAL PRESENTED IN THE U.S.

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 23 /SRNA/ - The investment potential of Republika Srpska and its business-friendly tax policy were presented to some of the world`s leading financial institutions and banking groups during a multi-day visit by a delegation of the Investment-Development Bank /IDB/ of Republika Srpska to the United States.

The IDB delegation, led by Acting Director Nedeljko Ćorić, held meetings with representatives of Bank of America, one of the world`s largest and most prominent financial institutions, who expressed their readiness to cooperate and pursue joint projects with Republika Srpska, the IDB said in a statement. Another in a series of successful visits was the delegation`s visit to Citibank`s headquarters, where discussions focused on strengthening institutional ties between the United States and Republika Srpska to encourage investment in Republika Srpska`s economy and capital. Representatives of Santander Bank, one of the world`s largest banking groups engaged in commercial and investment banking as well as asset management, also expressed interest in the business environment and operating conditions in Republika Srpska. The IDB delegation also discussed the investment potential of Republika Srpska with representatives of Apollo Global Management, a New York-based company providing financial solutions to institutional investors, insurance companies, pension funds, state funds, and major corporations. The investment potential of Republika Srpska and its business-friendly tax policy were also presented to numerous American business leaders and representatives of U.S. financial institutions at two business forums. One of these was "Invest Srpska," organized in New York by the Investment-Development Bank /IDB/ of Republika Srpska and Mladen Filipović, Head of the BiH Representative Office in Vienna. A forum under the same name had previously been held in Chicago before hundreds of investors interested in Republika Srpska, with the full support of Tatjana Telić, Consul General of BiH in Chicago. During these events, specific investment opportunities in Republika Srpska were presented, ranging from public projects in energy, infrastructure, tourism, and other sectors of the economy, to investment opportunities in free and business zones. As the culmination of the Investment-Development Bank delegation`s highly successful visit to the United States, the significance of Republika Srpska was further highlighted through a visual presentation of Republika Srpska at one of New York City`s busiest locations, Times Square, the statement said. The promotional message "Invest in Republika Srpska" was displayed on LCD screens in Times Square, further highlighting the recognized status of Republika Srpska in the world and its readiness to cooperate with all partners in order to strengthen its economy. In addition to Acting Director of the IDB Nedeljko Ćorić, the delegation included Acting Executive Director for Legal Affairs and International Cooperation Vera Sukara, and Director of the Foreign Investment Promotion Sector Zoran Talić.