The 3rd International Logistics Conference in Bosnia and Herzegovina, organized by the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FTC/STKBIH), is attended by over 200 logistics experts, forwarders, carriers, distributors and representatives of international logistics organizations and institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Logistics is key to the competitiveness of our entrepreneurs and their connection to regional and global markets. At the same time, we are witnessing numerous challenges facing this sector – from rising costs and labor shortages to regulatory barriers and difficult access to markets. That is why this conference provides a unique opportunity for open dialogue, exchange of knowledge and experience, and strengthening "The Chamber will continue to be dedicated to the development and promotion of the logistics sector, as it is the basis of a modern and efficient economic system," stressed Ahmet Egrlic, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The topics of the conference, the general sponsor of which is the IRU - International Road Transport Union, are: trends and challenges in logistics, warehousing and optimization of warehouse processes, cross-border logistics and logistics chains, green, sustainable and reverse logistics, e-commerce and supply chains.
"The IRU supports the development of the transport and logistics sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For the development of this sector, it is not enough just to have roads and terminals, but also to use technologies that reduce the administrative burden to reduce the time spent on freight transportation, which necessarily leads to an increase in the efficiency of all transport," said IRU President Radu Dinescu.
This year, the VTK/STKbosanski Republican Transport Association (VTK/STKbosanski Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina) celebrates 20 years of the “FIATA Shipping School”, being the only accredited institution in our country that can conduct these trainings. Thanks to these trainings, more than 600 logistics experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina have received diplomas from the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations FIATA.
“Trade and geopolitical patterns in the world are changing, which causes disruptions in the movement of goods, and we need to adapt to this. Everyone is turning to markets that are geographically close. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a huge advantage, as it is located near the largest economic regions – the European Union, North Africa and the Middle East – and we are ready to support VTKBogin, which trains personnel for better logistics connectivity,” emphasized FIATA Presidency Member Turgut Erkeşkin.
Automation in freight forwarding and logistics in Bosnia and Herzegovina is used moderately, said Željko Predojević, president of the Association of International Freight Forwarders VTK/STKBoGiBiG, adding that thanks to faster technology adoption, more funding, education and improved infrastructure, we have good prospects. He also sees an opportunity in the implementation of green logistics.
“By implementing green, sustainable and reverse logistics, Bosnia and Herzegovina has the potential to increase the competitiveness of its companies, protect the environment and meet international obligations in the field of ecology and sustainable development. To fully integrate these concepts into the economic system, greater state involvement, development of supporting policies, training of personnel and investments in green technologies are necessary,” Predojević emphasized.
The conference participants, through panel discussions, emphasized that the logistics of the future will require a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach that combines technological innovation, environmental sustainability, organizational flexibility and human resource development as key factors for achieving competitive advantage in the global business environment. This conference is one of the most important events organized by VTK/STKBH, primarily because the initiative for its holding came from the companies themselves, members of the Chamber.