A workshop held as part of the preparations for drafting the Strategy for the Development of the Metal and Electrical Sector of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2026–2035 was held on 17 February 2026 at the Garden Hotel in Konjic. The workshop brought together representatives of institutions from BiH and the Federation of BiH, industry, educational and scientific institutions, and professional associations.
The workshop is part of a broader consultation process aimed at clearly defining the direction in which one of the most important industrial sectors in the Federation of BiH should develop. The metal and electrical industries account for a significant share of production and exports, connect a large number of suppliers, and enable the modernization of infrastructure and other economic sectors. Their development directly affects the overall productivity, stability and long-term competitiveness of the Federation.
During the workshop, preliminary findings of the sector analysis were presented, followed by an open discussion on the challenges and opportunities over the next ten years. It was highlighted that a large number of domestic companies are in an unfavorable position: they meet demanding technical and quality standards, undergo customer inspections and operate according to European Union rules, but still remain in the role of low-cost suppliers of individual parts. The greatest added value often remains with large system manufacturers.
Attention was also drawn to the problem of increasingly complex EU market requirements, from data on carbon dioxide emissions and product traceability to obligations related to digital documentation and cybersecurity. These requirements are growing faster than smaller and fragmented companies can keep up with. Without organized and systematic support, some companies risk losing business and falling out of supply chains.
The emergence of individual successful companies was also recognized, as they have made significant progress through automation, the integration of metal and electrical solutions, quality improvement and export growth. However, they operate in an environment where there is not yet a sufficiently developed and universally accessible system for proving compliance with European rules. Therefore, their growth is possible, but often risky and sensitive to new market requirements.
The Strategy’s vision is for the sector to gradually move away from a model based on low costs and subcontracting toward the development of its own products, assemblies and complete solutions with higher added value. The goal is for the Federation of BiH, i.e. Bosnia and Herzegovina, to become a reliable partner in the European market, capable of delivering complete solutions, with orderly and regular data management and compliance with regulations.
Special emphasis was placed on strengthening cooperation between industry, educational and research institutions, so that ideas and prototypes can be turned more quickly into serial production and exports. The need for systematic skills development was also highlighted, including greater involvement of women and young people in technical and industrial professions.
An equally important part of the future Strategy concerns a stable and predictable public framework. This implies strengthening the system of standardization, accreditation, certification and conformity assessment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, improving institutional services for industry, and better management of key infrastructure. Continuous dialogue between the public and private sectors, based on reliable data, was recognized as the foundation of effective industrial policy.
The workshop included a presentation of the sector analysis, group work on identifying positive and negative development factors, and the formation of thematic working groups that will continue working on the Strategy.
The goal is that by 2035 the metal and electrical industry of the Federation of BiH develops products with higher added value, successfully transitions from prototype to serial production and export, and reliably delivers in accordance with European Union standards through strengthened long-term competitiveness and the stability of the industrial system in the Federation of BiH.
The Strategy is being drafted by the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry, with the support of UNDP BiH and the Chamber of Economy of the Federation of BiH.
