IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
TBY talks to Mladen Ivanić, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on strengthening economic ties, bilateral knowledge transfers, and building upon historically friendly ties.
BIOGRAPHY
Mladen Ivanić has been Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2016. He was elected as the member of Presidency from the Republika Srpska at the general elections held on October 12, 2014. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Belgrade, and completed Postdoctoral Studies at the University of Mannheim (Federal Republic of Germany) and the University of Glasgow (UK). He has worked as a journalist, consultant, and politician, holding office as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He also currently teaches economics at the University of Banjaluka.There have been longstanding close relations between Zambia and the countries of the former Yugoslavia. In what ways has the fruitful relationship between the two countries developed over time?
Yugoslavia and Zambia have cemented a close relationship over time. Bosnia and Herzegovina continued to promote friendship with Zambia after establishing our diplomatic relations in 1995. However, between BH and Zambia, as with most African countries south of the Sahara, there has never been an exchange of official bilateral visits. In spite of this, officials from both countries have met before, most frequently on the margins of international conferences, and contacts between diplomatic representatives of the two countries have been exchanged elsewhere in the world. However, I am convinced that mutual cooperation would be highly beneficial to both parties, and am optimistic regarding the future. With boosted interest from both sides, the relations of the two countries will enter a new chapter.
What measures can be taken by both governments to boost levels of trade and economic activity?
Currently, there is limited trade between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Zambia and little mutual investment registered regarding initiatives in the economic field. We know Zambia is developing rapidly and has become one of the biggest construction sites in Africa. During the Yugoslavian period many companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina worked in Zambia, including Energoinvest. Today, Zambia needs researchers, experts, and operative workers in the mining industry to undertake operations like open pits and mining extracting. In this regard, it makes sense for us to strengthen ties in this area, since Bosnia and Herzegovina has many workers and experts of that kind. We would gladly cooperate between mining institutes and faculties.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is enjoying stability after a period of conflict. Since Zambia is often seen as a haven of stability in the Sub-Saharan region, what political and ideological overlap exists between the two nations, and how is this reflected in the two countries' collaboration efforts?
The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina ended nearly 22 years ago. Despite numerous tensions in the region that inevitably resurge from time to time, I am optimistic when it comes to the future. Two decades have passed since the war and we have achieved stability and security, even in the face of adversity, given that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country with an extremely complicated internal structure, different nations and religions, and numerous domestic differences. There is a true consent within Bosnia and Herzegovina that our place, as well as the entire region, is in the EU. At times, it has seemed difficult to live in the Balkans and in Bosnia and Herzegovina; however, much can be learned from the people of our country and the way in which they have fought for national harmony. I believe that with Zambia experiencing similar peace and stability, even with a complex internal social structure, there is much that can be shared in these experiences.
Tourism and cultural exchange have been pinpointed as areas of interest for the two countries. What initiatives in particular will be launched to support this venture?
Both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Zambia have emphasized in their diplomatic correspondence the interest for cooperation at all levels, although so far concrete initiatives and implementation have not come to fruition. Mainly regional concerns were to blame for this. With Zambia as well as other sub-Saharan countries, except in rare instances, Bosnia and Herzegovina has failed to establish intensive cooperation, in spite of the friendly relations that have dated back to the time of Yugoslavia. We have a great deal to offer when it comes to culture and tourism. We are fortunate that our culture and arts are well developed, despite the comparative lack of financial allocation in this area. Many of our artists and cultural workers have won numerous awards and achieved global acclaim. We are nestled in the heart of the Balkans: blessed with spectacular mountains, valleys, lakes, and even a small coastline.
IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Year In Review
What A Year
Zambia has long been a bastion of stability in Southern Africa, and while its economy has been rocked in recent years by the falling value of copper prices, a devaluating kwacha, and high inflation, through the Economic Recovery Program the government has bold ambitions to right the ship.
read articleReview
Convoke, Confound & Collect
Squeezed between a rock and a rather hard place by the slowdown in Chinese demand for copper, by far Zambia's biggest export and government-revenue generator, President Lungu has been forced to get creative in his country's alliances to broaden revenue streams and lessen its dependence on the vagaries of one foreign market.
read articleGuest Speaker
Dr. Stergomena L. Tax, Executive Secretary, Southern African Development Community (SADC)
TBY talks to Dr. Stergomena L. Tax, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), on regional economic development, boosting pan-continental free trade agreements, and improving security through mutual development.
read articleInterview
Susan Sikaneta, Ambassador, Zambia to Ethiopia & Permanent Representative to the African Union and Economic Commission for Africa
TBY talks to Susan Sikaneta, Ambassador of Zambia to Ethiopia & Permanent Representative to the African Union and Economic Commission for Africa, on championing peace across the continent, advancing women's rights, and promoting Pan-Africanism.
read articleInterview
Sebastian C. Kopulande, CEO, Zambian International Trade & Investment Centre (ZITIC)
TBY talks to Sebastian C. Kopulande, CEO of Zambian International Trade & Investment Centre (ZITIC), on taming austerity, stimulating sustainable growth, and creating the framework to support entrepreneurship
read articleFocus: Zambia Plus
Adding it All Up
On October 20, 2016, at the 2017 Budget Address, Finance Minister Felix Mutati launched the government's economic recovery program, christened "Zambia Plus." The program is designed to spur domestic productivity, through strengthening ties and collaborating with external donors and developers.
read articleReview: Banking
Macroeconomics Rule the Roost
In its ongoing efforts to diversify away from one principal commodity, copper, the government fosters the development, standardization, and efficacy of the private sector. In doing so the systematic support of the financial universe, especially banks, is vital, as is the goal of financial inclusion.
read articleFocus: SME Growth
IMF support program
An IMF support program stands to provide Zambia with some much-needed discipline on its expenditure and operational efficiencies; however, many caution the need for Zambia to determine what it wants to achieve and how the program will benefit the country.
read articleInterview
Christabel M. Banda, Executive Director, Insurers Association of Zambia (IAZ)
TBY talks to Christabel M. Banda, Executive Director of Insurers Association of Zambia (IAZ), on the evolution of the local insurance landscape, raising awareness, and tackling challenges in the sector.
read articleFocus: Solar
Sunny Side Up
As power demand continues to rise and power production continues to fall behind, it's the same old story for Zambia, still wrestling with an ongoing energy crisis. Public- and private-sector drives are seeking to mitigate this deficit by activating the country's solar industry.
read articleInterview
Margaret K. Chalwe-Mudenda, Director General, Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA)
TBY talks to Margaret K. Chalwe-Mudenda, Director General of Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), on new projects, the ZNDC, and expectations for the year ahead.
read articleInterview
Hon. Dora Siliya, Minister, Agriculture
TBY talks to Hon. Dora Siliya, Minister of Agriculture, on the investments being made in agriculture to enable agricultural households, diversifying Zambia's basket of produce, and making international markets more accessible for local producers.
read articleInterview
Hon. Charles R. Banda, Minister, Tourism and Arts
TBY talks to Hon. Charles R. Banda, Minister of Tourism and Arts, on the wealth of tourism destinations within Zambia, efforts to bring more visitors to the country, and what the Tourism Development Fund will contribute to developments.
read article