FTC B&H is…

Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina – FTCBH has a 110-year long tradition of existence, continual work and legal succession. The latest legal form of the Chamber has been established by the Law on Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of B&H No. 30/01), by which the FTCBH is an association of BH companies, producers and service providers in various business sectors across the country, which are also registered for foreign trade activities (imports and exports).

The FTCBH mission is to create network platforms for their members, represent their interests before the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as before relevant associations abroad, in order to achieve a more favorable business environment, greater and faster opening of new capacities, and improving and increasing the competitiveness of domestic products and services at local and foreign markets under conditions of market liberalization.

FTCBH has also the mandate of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Export Promotion Agency (BHEPA) with the aim to develop and expand export markets by promoting products and capabilities of the country internationally.

FTCBH has extensive experience in organizing Bosnia and Herzegovina National booths at international trade fairs abroad, managing b2b events with international participation, conducting business educations and running business supporting projects.
The Chamber also organizes the work and activities of its members through more than 20 professional branch (sectorial) associations, issues export related documents, and provides information on foreign trade statistics and foreign market requirements.

FTCBH’s headquarter is in Sarajevo. FTCBH also has local offices in Mostar and Banja Luka, as well as a representation office in Istanbul (Turkey).

History

Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina has a 100 year long tradition of existence, continual work and legal succession. The Chamber has been established in Sarajevo by the Law on Establishment and Organization of the Chamber of Trade and Crafts for BiH.

  • 1909

    The Chamber has been established

    In the first Article of this Law, it has been determined such as follows: “Chamber of Trade and Crafts is established with the seat in Sarajevo and will represent the interests of trade, crafts, including mining”, and will cover “the whole territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina”.

    Constituent Assembly was held on September 14, 1909 in Sarajevo Town Hall, with 58 delegates attending it.

    The field of activity of this first Chamber primarily referred to deliberations on the proposals and wishes related to trade and crafts activities; making proposals and giving observations to the Government about trade, crafts, laws and establishment of different institutes for improvement of economy.

    The Chamber had public authorizations as well, such as keeping a register of registered companies, issuance of protective stamps, issuing certificates on the solvency of companies, discussing companies’ disputes, etc.

  • 1932

    Established by Regulation on Chambers of Trade and Industry

    The Chamber had public authorizations as well, such as keeping a register of registered companies, issuance of protective stamps, issuing certificates on the solvency of companies, discussing companies’ disputes, etc.

    By this Law of the year 1990, the Chamber of Trade and Crafts for BiH had been operating until 1932, when Chamber of Trade and Industry and Chamber of Crafts in Sarajevo and Banja Luka were established by Regulation on Chambers of Trade and Industry.

  • 1946

    Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Chamber of Catering Industry of BiH

    In December 1946, Government of People’s Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PRBiH) established the Chamber of Trade and Industry by dissolving the Chamber of Trade and Industry in Banja Luka, merging its area of activity with the area of activity of the Chamber of Trade and Industry in Sarajevo.

    In 1952, Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Chamber of Catering Industry of BiH were established.

    In March 1954, the Assembly of PRBiH established the Chamber of Agriculture, which was followed by the establishment of the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry.

    In October 1960, the Assembly of PRBiH established in Sarajevo the Chamber of Industry, Mining, Industry, Construction and Traffic of BiH.

  • 1962

    Republic Chamber of Commerce of Bosnia and Herzegovina

    In May 1962, the Assembly of Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia (FPRY) prescribed by Law the establishment of general single Chambers of Commerce by merging the Chambers, Economic Associations and Cooperative Associations into Federal, Republic, and District Chambers of Commerce (“Official Gazette of SFRY” Nr. 22 from May 30, 1962).

    By this Law, in May 1962, Republic Chamber of Commerce of Bosnia and Herzegovina was established by merging of five following chambers: Chamber of Commerce of BiH, Chamber of Catering Industry of BiH, Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of BiH, Chamber of Mining, Industry, Construction and Traffic of BiH, and Cooperative Association of BiH.

  • 1972

    Chamber of Commerce of Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Chamber of Commerce of Bosnia and Herzegovina and seven basic Chambers of Commerce were established by Law on Chambers of Commerce (“Official Gazette of SRBiH” Nr. 16/72 from June 20, 1972) with the Chamber of Commerce of BiH being a legal successor of the Republic Chamber of Commerce.
    By Law on Association into Chambers of Commerce (“Official Gazette SR BiH” Nr: 35/77, 17/80 and 32/85), the existence of Chamber of Commerce of BiH was confirmed.
    By Law on Chambers of Commerce (“Official Gazette of SR BiH” No. 33/90) the structure of the Chamber was harmonized for the last time.

  • 2002-

    Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina was established by Law on Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina (“Official Gazette of BiH” Nr: 30/01) and is affirmed as the legal successor of Chamber of Commerce of BiH. In accordance with this law, FTC started operating on July 1, 2002. Since its establishment in 1909 until today, the grounds of establishment, goals and objectives of the Chamber have not changed much.
    The Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH is a modern, professional institution that represents and promotes economic interests in the country and abroad.
    The Chamber is a reliable source of information, where a large number of services are provided in one place, for both domestic and foreign partners (business and market information, information on regulations and laws, consulting services, promotional activities, databases, etc.). FTC is a member of numerous international associations (Eurochambres, International Chamber of Commerce-ICC, ABC, FIATA, IRU, SECI) which enables it to successfully participate in various projects in order to strengthen and improve regional and international business cooperation.

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