Swiss-BiH Business Forum 2026
Ready for Business: The Swiss-BiH Forum 2026 will take place in Sarajevo on 11 June
“Ready for Business. Swiss-BiH Forum 2026' will bring together representatives of Swiss companies present in Bosnia and Herzegovina, local companies that collaborate with Swiss partners, and representatives of public institutions and business organisations from both countries. It will also gather entrepreneurs from the BiH diaspora. Participants and speakers will include representatives of key Swiss institutions and business networks, such as Swiss Global Enterprise (mandated by the Swiss Confederation and the cantons to promote exports and investment), the Swiss-Central Europe Chamber of Commerce, SWISSMEM (the association of the Swiss technology industry) and Swiss Textiles (the association of the Swiss textile industry).
The Embassy of Switzerland in Bosnia and Herzegovina is marking its 30th anniversary this year. Over the past three decades, relations between the two countries have steadily strengthened. Through its international cooperation programme, Switzerland has provided substantial support to the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina in areas where the country's needs and priorities align with Swiss know-how and experience, including local governance, economic development, employment, security, healthcare and culture. Today, both countries are seeking to further strengthen the economic dimension of their partnership through enhanced trade, investment, and business cooperation.
The Forum will provide an opportunity for businesses, institutions, and business leaders to network, present successful examples of economic cooperation, and establish new partnerships and investments. This will contribute to strengthening the economic relations between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina further.
Swiss Ambassador to BiH Gabriele Derighetti will open the event, followed by a keynote address entitled AI-Driven Innovation: Playing to Win.
The first panel discussion will focus on investment and trade opportunities between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to national data, Switzerland consistently ranks among Bosnia and Herzegovina's top ten foreign investors and trading partners. Participants will discuss ways to strengthen economic ties, expand exports, develop nearshoring cooperation, and improve the business environment for foreign investors. In recent years, Swiss investment in Bosnia and Herzegovina has grown steadily, providing a solid basis for further expansion and the development of long-term partnerships.
The second part of the programme will focus on the role of the diaspora as a driver of economic development. Panellists will discuss how the diaspora can contribute to economic growth through investment, business networking, knowledge transfer, and creating new market opportunities, given that it is one of the country’s greatest assets.
The forum will also feature an initiative to establish the Swiss-BiH Chamber of Commerce. Designed to bring together companies, investors and business leaders, the Chamber is expected to strengthen business ties and create new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
During their stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina, members of the Swiss business delegation will participate in the forum and hold meetings with relevant institutions. They will also visit several companies to gain first-hand insight into successful examples of economic cooperation and the country’s business potential.
Keynote speaker
Dr. Almerima Jamakovic-Kapic, EMBA, leads AI transformation at Swisscom’s Infrastructure & Networks, bringing AI into Switzerland’s critical infrastructure - the backbone that keeps society and the economy connected and evolving. With more than 15 years of experience in technology, engineering, innovation, and leadership roles, she turns complex business and operational challenges into scalable AI solutions, strategic value, and lasting organisational transformation. Her work connects deep technical expertise with executive-level strategy, helping organizations move from AI ambition to measurable impact.
Speakers - Session 1
Snježana Köpruner is an entrepreneur and mechanical engineer with extensive professional experience in Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina. After graduating in mechanical engineering in Zagreb, she worked in the industrial sector in both Croatia and Germany, specializing in production management and industrial development.
In 2004, she took over GS-TMT factory in Travnik and transformed it into a successful export-oriented manufacturing company. In the meantime, she also established a factory in Prozor-Rama, and her companies today employ around 700 workers in total. She is widely recognized for her commitment to industrial development, employee welfare, and socially responsible business practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Vjekoslav Vuković, PhD, born in 1973, has built a distinguished professional career through holding a number of responsible and high-level positions in the security sector, and currently serves as one of the three leading officials of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Upon assuming this position, he directed his efforts towards strengthening economic diplomacy, with the aim of ensuring high-quality international representation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and promoting its economic potential. Since 2017, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of Eurochambres, and during his career, he has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of FIPA. He is the initiator and driving force behind numerous projects aimed at improving the business environment and attracting investments, thereby actively contributing to the economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is the author of several scientific and professional papers in the field of regulation of artificial intelligence, and co-author of the university textbook Victimology.
Lorenz Schaffner is Founder and Managing Director of Integris Group.
With a background in manufacturing and quality management, he has lived and worked in Bosnia and Herzegovina for over 15 years and has founded and led projects and companies in the region. Today he supports Swiss entrepreneurs looking to invest, outsource or expand in the Western Balkans. His focus lies on strengthening economic ties between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, bridging two cultures and business environments.
Suad Sinančević is General Manager of Sika Bosnia and Herzegovina, part of the global Sika Group, a leading company in specialty chemicals for construction and industry.
He has extensive experience in business development, construction solutions and market expansion, with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability and long-term partnerships in the construction sector.
He also initiated the establishment of local production operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, contributing to the strengthening of the country’s industrial and construction sector capacities. Under his leadership, Sika Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to expand its local presence and promote modern and sustainable construction practices in the region.
Speakers - Session 2
Taner Alicehic is a Swiss and Bosnian citizen and residing in Baar, Switzerland.
Mr. Taner Alicehic is a co-founder, advisor and shareholder of Stoneweg SA, the asset manager of real estate investments. He is also the founder and CEO of REIS Partners SA as well as chairman or board member of several Swiss companies. Prior to 2008, he worked as head of investment strategies for real estate, fixed income as well as foreign exchange markets for Banque Cantonale Vaudoise. Mr. Alicehic holds a master degree in physics from Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne, Switzerland as well as a MBA from HEC of University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Mirko Gadza is Chief Product Officer (CPO) of the SCHILLER Group and CEO of Ganshorn Medizin Electronic GmbH and ERGOSANA d.o.o.
He has more than 25 years of experience in the medical technology industry and is actively involved in building and expanding production and development activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
His focus lies on innovation, international growth, quality management and strengthening economic cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland.
Damjan Dubočanin, co-founder and Deputy General Manager of MPO d.o.o. Damjan brings 18 years of extensive experience in mechanical manufacturing, including 14 years as a company owner and production manager. After completing his education in Switzerland, he co-founded MPO d.o.o. with a clear vision: to bring Swiss manufacturing excellence and quality standards to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since 2014 the company has established itself as a highly trusted outsourcing partner for the demanding Swiss market. Damjan is deeply committed to workforce development and continuous training, teaching the same practices he was taught during his apprenticeship. His primary goal for the future is introducing a Swiss-style dual-education system to foster and elevate young talent in mechanical engineering.
Haris Hotic completed his education in Switzerland through the dual education system, gaining strong technical and practical expertise in manufacturing and business operations. After finishing his education, he decided to pursue private entrepreneurship, initially starting in trade and resale businesses. However, driven by his technical knowledge, he soon transitioned into production and manufacturing.
With a vision to build visible and meaningful projects that leave a lasting impact, Haris invested in Bosnia and Herzegovina, specializing in the production of modular and prefabricated buildings, and combining Swiss work standards, precision, and quality with local production capacities.
The event programme and speakers’ biographies are available here.
