USAID Diaspora Invest Brings Together BiH Diaspora Business Leaders in an Advisory Council
Sarajevo, June 10, 2024 –The Business Advisory Council of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian Diaspora (DiaBAC) was officially established on June 6, 2024, in Sarajevo, marking the culmination of a year-long effort to unite business leaders of Bosnian-Herzegovinian origin from across the globe. The Council brings together 23 distinguished business professionals from 11 countries, all united by a common heritage and a shared vision for the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
DiaBAC is an initiative of the U.S. government’s USAID Diaspora Invest project, which aims to promote new trade and investment opportunities globally for the BiH private sector and advocate for a stronger business environment in the country.
The Council was inaugurated by Emily Coffman Krunic, Deputy Mission Director of USAID in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “USAID’s Diaspora Invest project is very proudly supporting DiaBAC as part of our efforts to deepen connections and collaboration between Bosnia and Herzegovina’s diaspora and their homeland. This initiative aligns with one of our top priorities for this program, which is to encourage and facilitate members of the diaspora to share the valuable knowledge and skills they have gained abroad to benefit industries here and advance economic development,” noted Deputy Director Coffman Krunic.
Over the course of the three-day inaugural gathering, DiaBAC members connected with a diverse group of innovative businesses from across BiH, including Symphony, RCB Nanotechnology, Zanat, Eurosjaj, ZenDev, and New Dawn Development to share advice and look for new opportunities to invest in BiH’s economic development and prosperity. DiaBAC members also discussed best practices and deliberated policy proposals to promote good governance and smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth in BiH.
The work of DiaBAC will be supported by USAID Diaspora Invest’s local partner, Nasa perspektiva, a non-governmental organization that engages the BiH diaspora to advance the country’s socio-economic development.
DiaBAC members hail from a diverse array of markets, including Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States
The U.S. Agency for International Development is leading the U.S. Government's efforts to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies. To date, the U.S. Government, primarily through USAID, has provided $2 billion in assistance to support economic, democratic and social progress in BiH.
To learn more about the USAID Diaspora Invest project, please visit: https://www.usaid.gov/bosnia-and-herzegovina/fact-sheets/diaspora-invest