Haris Abaspahić
Lejla Dragnić is an economic advisor with more than 30 years of experience in research, management and consulting in various disciplines of applied economics such as: macroeconomic policy, development and reconstruction strategies, international economic relations, market reform and private sector development. Since 1996, she has worked as a senior advisor, program manager and consultant in the field of privatization and development of small and medium enterprises on regional and national projects supported by various organizations (USAID, World Bank / IFC, EC, SDC, GTZ, ADA, SIDA ). Her recent professional experience includes assessing macroeconomic conditions and budget processes in BiH, working on labor market policies, evaluating various internationally supported private sector projects and SME development.
Asja Čengić-Kasumović is a communication, public affairs and advocacy professional with over 20 years of experience in strategic communications for state institutions, international organizations, non-profit and corporate sectors. Asja is an owner of the PR communications agency DBK Lab located in Sarajevo, BiH and has been providing services for the clients from the IT, banking, tobacco, international organizations, and non-profit industries. For two years (2013 – 2014) she was an Executive Director of the CPU. Shortly after that she served for two years as a Communications Advisor to the Prime Minister of FBiH. Asja also worked as a Head of Public Affairs and Communications Department at the United Nations BiH, High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council BiH, Office of the High Representative and Sarajevo Film Festival. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Communications, completed at the Anglo-American University in Prague and M.A. in Communications from Faculty for Media and Communication, University Singidunum, Belgrade.
Ivan Barbalić served as the Ambassador of BiH in Russian Federation from 2012-2015, and Permanent Representative of BiH to the United Nations from 2008-2012. Barbalić was the President of the United Nations Security Council in January 2011.
In May 2021 graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Mid-Career Master in Public Administration. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA and MA degree from the Centre for Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Studies of the University of Sarajevo and University of Bologna. He is recipient of the Honorary Doctorate at the University of Bridgeport, USA in 2012.
He was one of the founders of the Sarajevo based think tank organization ACIPS serving as its President from 2003 to 2008, and the Honorary President of the European Movement BiH since 2009. From 2005 to 2007, he served on BiH negotiation team for the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union, after earlier working at Directorate for European Integration from 2000 to 2001.
Born in 1975, he is married with one child.
Adnan Muminović is an economist, with a particular interest in macroeconomic policy and behavioural economics. He holds a B.A in Economist and M.A in European studies from the University of Sarajevo, as well as MSc in Psychology of Economic Life from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He currently works as an external economic adviser to the Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and as a senior teaching assistant at the School of Economic and Business of the University of Sarajevo. Prior to that, he worked for the Office of the European Union Special Representative and the Norwegian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In his free time, he passionately writes the inkrementalno.blog
Use of natural materials has been growing continuously in the world. With the current growth rates and population increase rates, global demand will in 2050 require resources of three planets like ours. Current increase in demand, limited supply of certain resources and disrupted supply chain cause a significant increase in prices and threaten to give rise to a new economic crisis, demonstrating the fact that the current models of the use of resources are far from being sustainable, while they may potentially cause instability.
DetailsBusiness organizations approaches to circular economy are based on the concept of circular business model that “articulates the logic of how an organization creates, delivers, and captures value to its broader range of stakeholders while minimizing ecological and social costs.”
DetailsThe last time the minimum wage was determined in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was in 2016, and there is no doubt that it needs to be raised. However, an excessive and sudden increase may lead to undesired consequences and jeopardize the very groups of workers this help is intended for. Inter alia, it may lead to the rise in youth and women unemployment, threaten the competitiveness of private sector and lead to significant rise in wages in public companies, even in cases of workers who currently earn significantly above the minimum wage. Therefore, the key question is how to strike a balance between real needs and unrealistic demands and this analysis is aimed at offering several guidelines to that effect.
DetailsWe have explored informal markets in the four South-East Europe economies, investigated drivers for engaging in informal activities and provided policy recommendations for reducing the informal sector. The study comprises findings of both primary and secondary research. Primary research included a quantitative survey on a representative sample of around 4 thousand respondents across four countries.
DetailsCPU advocates for the broader debate about this topic, which is rather limited today, to support the processes and related decisions. This debate should bring closer divided opinions about ways to maximize contributions of those important assets to the economy and the society as whole. More precisely, we should look into market developments, telecoms’ performances, and business models to address following questions: How to improve the quality and affordability of services; What is an optimal / expected contribution of telecoms to productivity gains and digital economy development?; What are expected financial and fiscal implications/benefits to the economy and citizens of telecom operations in FBiH?; What are necessary deregulations to support effective sector development?
DetailsCOVID-19 crisis has had a tremendous economic impact in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). It is estimated that the country will enter a recession of 5%, which implies a number of negative economic indicators – decrease in exports, rise of unemployment and possible rise of interest rates, budget instability and the like. Of particular concern is the rise of unemployment and decrease in BH diaspora support, which is very important for the BH economy. COVID-19 has mainly endangered the service sector, i.e. all businesses that depend on the so-called "moment of truth" – the direct contact with customers. There are many micro-enterprises and crafts operating within the service sector, while freelancers are mainly exposed to the crisis due to the decrease in global demand for their services (exports).
DetailsThe impact of socio-economic factors on student achievements during their education and long-term educational outcomes are one of the challenges that have so far passed under the radar of educational policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In numerous reform efforts to improve the education system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a strategy that would address the importance of socio-economic opportunities in the education of individuals was missing, which implies that this issue is not addressed at the educational practices level.
DetailsThe analysis shows research on how the banking sector in B&H can improve economic growth, and how sector reforms contained in the Extended Fund Facility program with IMF can influence on credit expansion and the stability of the financial sector.
DetailsNo matter the destiny of the IMF arrangement, for the final finding of the solution when it comes to BH Telecom, it is necessary to conduct the due diligence analysis and to agree upon a plan of future work of BH Telecom as soon as possible.
DetailsBosnia and Herzegovina urgently needs an improvement of business climate and one of the key tools to accomplish this goal is the introduction of electronic services.
DetailsThis analysis suggests few steps aiming to halt the decrease of the average class size in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and points out the necessity of shifting the focus on teachers' competencies and qualities as a precondition for better education.
DetailsThe analysis of 'The Advantages of TIMSS Introduction into BiH Educational System' contains conclusions and recommendations for its implementation and suggests that regular conduction of TIMSS is necessary, since this kind of international testing enables continuous monitoring and comparison with other systems and provides a clear picture on what has to be done.
DetailsThe conference is organized by Centre for Policy and Governance (CPU), supported by Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) US. Structured in two panels, this conference brings together decision makers, representatives of the telecom industry and international expertise.
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