CONNECTO 2023 has begun: Inspirational lectures and dynamic panel discussions in the ongoing program

Lectures, conversations, panel discussions, and B2B meetings are all part of the program that INTERA Technology Park has prepared for over 200 participants at this year’s edition of the now traditional CONNECTO 2023 conference, which started today, July 25, 2023.

“This year, just like in the past, INTERA Technology Park is organizing the CONNECTO conference, which focuses on attracting the diaspora. This year, in addition to the diaspora, we are focusing on the manufacturing sector, engineers, production, exports, and the connection of small and medium enterprises with the academic community,” said Vedran Šimunović, the director of INTERA Technology Park, before the start of the conference.

The conference was inaugurated with welcoming addresses by Marin Čuljak, advisor to the Mayor of Mostar, Gilles Rebattet, representative of the EU Delegation to BiH, Eva Maria Näher, Program Director of GIZ, and Dobrila Boba Vukmanović, representative of USAID.

“As you know, the potential of the diaspora from these areas is significant all around the world, and what INTERA Technology Park, together with its partners, is doing through the Connecto conference undoubtedly contributes significantly to drawing attention to the city of Mostar and the Herzegovina region in general. This conference has traditionally been held, so we can measure certain results. Of course, for us, the City of Mostar, this and similar conferences are of great importance and interest, and as such, we will always support them,” Marin Čuljak emphasized the importance of the conference.

“The issue of innovation and the use of modern technologies are very important for small and medium businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is why we greatly appreciate the CONNECTO conference, as we believe it can help in these efforts. We believe that digitization and innovation, as well as the combination of research and the private sector, are key issues, and that’s why it’s important to see a meeting of representatives of the diaspora and local businesses here. INTERA is one of the key players in such an ecosystem, and that’s why we are launching another project with them, the Innovation Voucher Scheme, to which various businesses can apply to receive support in developing their innovative ideas,” Eva Maria Näher stated in a media interview.

Continuing the program, participants will have the opportunity listen to what Kingsley Aikins has to say about the importance of the diaspora, who has significantly contributed to attracting diaspora investments to Ireland throughout his professional career. Regarding the manufacturing sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a conversation moderated by Tarik Kadrispahić will include Stipe Krišto from B KRUG, Adnan Lihić from Mobello, and Haris Hotić from Ekon Proizvodnja. Following this, Ivo Klarić, responsible for bringing world-class technology for producing special machines used in the maritime industry to Žepče, will share his experience on stage. The conference program will also include presentations by Zoran Puljić from the Mozaik Foundation and Hanadi Željo from Adriatic Metals. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the academic community and the industry, a panel discussion moderated by Nedeljko Milosavljević will feature insights from Prof. Dr. Darko Petković, Prof. Dr. Mirella Muhić, and Dr. Nebojša Gnjatović. This year’s conference will also be an opportunity to introduce the Public Call for small and medium enterprises as part of the Innovation Voucher Scheme.

“We are pleased that this year we can support such an important event in Mostar, organized by INTERA Technology Park, the CONNECTO conference, which brings together diaspora representatives, diaspora investors, and local businessmen. This event is particularly important to us, as USAID started implementing projects related to investments, attracting the diaspora, and its potential is immense. It’s very important to show today at this conference that we are interested in their participation in the country’s development, both at the entity and municipal levels. Recently, USAID launched a second project, worth $15.7 million, through which we will support investments from the diaspora. Our goal is to support around 500 new enterprises and attract investments worth $50 million,” said Dobrila Boba Vukmanović about the Bosnian diaspora.

Those who were unable to register or attend the live event at INTERA Technology Park’s Europa Hall can follow the rich conference program online via a link. After the conference’s conclusion, participants can look forward to B2B meetings in the following two days, which traditionally serve as a powerful tool for networking and establishing collaborations and partnerships.

Sponsors of this year’s CONNECTO conference include HT Eronet, ProCredit Bank, and Alfa Therm, with conference friends being USAID Diaspora Invest, FEAL, Targer, Naša Perspektiva, and Lonac.pro. The patrons are the City of Mostar, the Government of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, and the Government of the West Herzegovina Canton.

This year’s edition of the conference is organized by INTERA Technology Park through the BOOST project. BOOST is part of the Innovation and Digitalization of Small and Medium Enterprises in BiH/EU4DigitalSME project, jointly financed by the European Union and the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ), with the aim of developing the economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a specific focus on digital transformation. The project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

25.7.2023.