Türkiye participates in the ZEPS Fair, one of the most important general trade fairs in the Balkans, which opens its doors to visitors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 35 companies, including TOGG. Türkiye is participating in the fair, which is held in the city of Zenica and is expected to reach 1.5 million visitors, as a “Partner Country” this year, with the organization organized by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO). Turkish brands, including TOGG, will introduce their new products to the Balkan and European countries at ZEPS, the largest international fair in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which opened today. Companies from Istanbul, Adana, Bursa, Gaziantep, Izmir, Kayseri, Samsun and Uşak participated in the Turkish national participation of the fair, which was held for the 30th time this year.
35 Turkish companies, including packaging, lighting, informatics, education, electrical appliances, food, ready-made clothing, construction, stationery, furniture, industry, space industry companies and the global automotive and mobility brand TOGG, presented their innovative products to the visitors at the fair.
NEW MARKETS ARE TARGETED WITH ZEPS FAIR
İTO President Şekib Avdagiç said that they believe that ZEPS Fair will contribute to Turkey’s foreign trade. Stating that the leading companies of various sectors exhibited the country’s quality and rich product range at the Turkish national stand, Avdagiç said, “Most importantly, we carried Turkey’s national automotive brand TOGG to Bosnia and Herzegovina with the ZEPS Fair. They came to these lands 560 years ago with the noble horses of Anatolia.” “We were here, now we are here with TOGG, the local brand of Anatolia.” he said. Avdagiç noted that by participating in the ZEPS Fair, on the one hand, they developed new markets and collaborations, and on the other hand, they expanded the friendship and brotherhood of the two countries.
THE TARGET FOR Türkiye-BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA TRADE IS 1 BILLION DOLLARS
Noting that they, as the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, held the Turkish Products Fair in Bosnia and Herzegovina 6 times, Avdagiç said that they always aim to keep the economic and commercial relations between Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina alive. Avdagiç also reminded that they made Türkiye’s national participation in the last Halal Fair held in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stating that he believes that the investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which have reached 300 million dollars so far, will rapidly multiply, Avdagiç said, “I trust that the obstacles on this path will be solved with the well-intentioned approaches of the Bosnia and Herzegovina government and officials.” he said. Pointing out that the two countries have the potential to take their current trade even higher, Avdagiç said, “We exported 716 million dollars to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2023. Our imports reached 200 billion dollars. When we look at the first 7 months of this year, our imports are 179 million dollars and our exports are 479 million dollars.” happened.” gave the information. Noting that the entry into force of the updated Free Trade Agreement on August 1, 2021 is a driving force in this regard, Avdagiç said, “We have not yet exceeded the 1 billion dollar threshold in our foreign trade with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our expectation is to reach this goal in 2024.” he said.
NEW COOPERATIONS ARE TARGETED
Avdagiç made the following evaluations: We believe that Bosnia and Herzegovina is an important stop and base that will accelerate the journey of Turks and the products produced in this geography towards the West. That’s why we always aim to keep Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commercial existence strong. We are trying to do this with the ZEPS Fair. Our most important expectation from the ZEPS Fair is to further develop the cooperation between Turkish companies and companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina and to be the beginning of new investments and projects. Additionally, this fair will be an accelerating force for trade and economic relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Türkiye. We believe that this fair is a reflection of the words of the first President of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Aliya Izetbegovic: ‘They buried us in the ground, but they did not know that we were seeds.’ “He will show that the seed of the resurrection he means in his words is trade.”
The fair will end on October 5.
