Numerous businessmen, managers, long-time successful businessmen that we spoke to yesterday, emphasize a legitimate fear that the newest political crisis, caused by the  mounted political process against Fahrudin Radončić will have a negative impact to business environment, current and future business investments, new jobs, export, economy in general.

- I first have to say that I am really sorry that Mr. Fahrudin Radončič, above all a prominent businessman and then a political leader of one of the most powerful BiH political parties was apprehended, and that this already is a slap in the face of BiH and BiH economy, and for sure will have negative consequence - said to „Avaz“ the president of the BiH Foreign Trade Chamber (VTK BiH) Bruno Bojić.

Regional calls

He added that he believes that judicial institutions have to do their job, but not in the way it was done in the case of Radončić.

Bojić: Negative influences

- Surely it reflects to the economy also, this morning I received several calls from the countries in the region, and we spoke about what is going on and the negative impact the situation has to BiH. I consider it inappropriate to apprehend and detain someone without a final judgement, in order to avoid influence at testimonies related to criminal offences committed by some other people. This situation, for sure, will lead to destabilization, which will cause investments to bypass us – clarified Bojić.

Branimir Muidža, who chairs the Council of Foreign Investors in BiH, and heads probably the most successful privatization project in BiH, „Hajdelberg cement “ from Kakanj, underlines that 2015 was a tough year for BiH economy, and the reasons for that are the political instability, unpredictability of tax changes, inefficient administration.....

Muidža: Investors seek the stability

- Any long-term unstable political situation adversely affects the arrival of new investments and, therefore, the financial flows, because investor seeks for certain stability in order to plan the long-term investments and business effects of invested capital – believes Muidža.

Mahmut Galijašević is the head of "Mann Hummela" in Tešanj, one of the biggest German investments in BiH.

Galijašević: Some people are against the prosperity

- Foreigner invests in a politically stable climate. Creating a new, stabile majority and coalition and reforms, that we witnessed, gave impetus to BiH economy. I spoke to the owner and he was looking forward to this changing environment, but was unhappy because of the constant political frictions, no matter what caused them. Just as we begin to climb up, something stops us. Although aware that some people are not happy with the progress, I wish to believe that problems will be resolved quickly and that we will move forward after all - said Galijašević in his statement to "Avaz".

Renowned businessman and owner of Violeta, one of the biggest BiH companies, Petar Ćorluka said that he is an optimist by nature and that he believes that Mr. Radončić will manage to defend himself, and that he will continue with his business activities.

Ćorluka: Keep working

- I believe that all of us in BiH, we will again deal with positive examples, because we’ve had too much of negative topics and stories, in the country and throughout the region – said Ćorluka.

Without a political stability and strong political coalition in the cantonal, Federal and BiH state level, we cannot even dream about favourable political environment. Who would spend his money in a place that is insecure, asked himself Safudin Čengić, long-time director of "Centrotrans", the biggest transportation company in the country.

Who is in support of such an objective?

- I guess we all strive to mutual goal of having a better, more successful country, although sometimes it doesn’t seem that way – Čengić said.

Prominent BiH businessman and an investor and ex director of “ASA Holding”, Nihad Imamović says that both the foreign investors, and local businessmen who have the money, would not even talk about new investments in political and business environment like this.

- You don’t know who you’re going to talk to, people get arrested, locked up, released, indicted, and acquitted. Every businessman seeks the stability for his money, stability of laws, government, and safety. We first have it and then we don’t and it is very difficult to survive, let alone prosper - says Imamović.

Fakić: A very nasty position

Director of Sarajevo diary „Milkos“, Adin Fakić said that the political instability may bring BiH and our economy to a very nasty position. 

Fakić: Creating a majority

- After the latest developments at the political scene, at a point when the positions were determined and majority was created, and there was determination to turn to reforms and business and economy, we faced the situation that the attention was shifted to a completely different direction – said Fakić.

Bakšić: We are gambling with the last chance

Alija Remzo Bakšić was retired few days ago, but he spent his whole life as a businessman and employer, and he spent some time working in legislative and executive branches.

Bakšić: Negative image

- Latest developments send a negative image to investors; it tells them that there are people who do not want BiH to prosper. I am afraid that this is the last big chance for us to move forward big steps, and we gamble with it so easily – underlined Bakšić.