Frankfurt hosted the business event Western Balkans Nearshoring Opportunities, bringing together representatives of German companies interested in expanding their operations in Europe and learning more about the investment potential of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans.
The event was organized with the aim of presenting the region as an increasingly relevant European destination for Global Business Services, outsourcing and nearshoring operations. Special focus was placed on the opportunities that Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkan countries offer to companies looking to establish or expand development centers, shared service centers, customer support operations and other business functions serving the European market.
As a partner of the event, the Foreign Investors Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina contributed to the promotion of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a competitive and reliable investment destination. FIC BiH was represented by its Executive Director, Nedim Makarević, who delivered an introductory address presenting the business environment and key advantages that Bosnia and Herzegovina offers to international investors.
Makarević particularly emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina has an educated and competitive workforce, strong foreign language skills, a favorable tax environment, and a growing number of successful international investments which confirm that the country can be a reliable partner for the development of the Global Business Services industry.
The central part of the event was the presentation of the first comprehensive regional study on the nearshoring and outsourcing potential of the Western Balkans. The study, titled “Western Balkans Nearshoring: Outsourcing Right Next Door”, was presented by Haris Kadenić, Marketing Director of Manpower South East Europe. The research was conducted in partnership with Helvetas through the RECONOMY program, funded by the Government of Sweden.
The report covers six Western Balkan markets: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. For the first time, data on market size, talent availability, salary levels, tax systems, infrastructure and investment conditions have been consolidated in one place, providing international companies with a clear overview of the region as a connected business destination.
According to the presented data, the Western Balkans today represents a market of more than 16 million people, more than 7.5 million people of working age, over 100,000 professionals in the ICT and Business Process Outsourcing sectors, more than 1,000 ICT companies, and an ICT industry worth more than EUR 5.5 billion. These indicators further confirm the region’s potential for the development of service industries and the attraction of new investments.
The event also featured a panel discussion with Nadina Gradaščević, Executive Director of ABSL Western Balkans, a regional association gathering leading companies from the Global Business Services industry. During the discussion, it was emphasized that investors increasingly recognize the Western Balkans not only as a cost-competitive location, but also as a region offering skilled professionals, high flexibility, cultural compatibility with European markets, and strong potential for long-term business development.
The event concluded with an open discussion with representatives of German companies, who expressed interest in concrete investment opportunities, the availability of qualified talent, the regulatory framework, and the potential for establishing business centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region.
FIC BiH will continue working to promote Bosnia and Herzegovina as an attractive investment destination and a reliable partner for international companies seeking new opportunities for growth, development and business expansion in Europe.
