AGP Executive Report

Investment Priorities: After Bosnia and Herzegovina’s general election, SDA leader Bakir Izetbegović and Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina leader Semir Efendić discussed government formation and priorities including stronger economic growth and investment in transport and energy infrastructure. Mining: DPM Metals says its Vareš mine is ramping up ahead of expectations and is now forecast to exceed its 2026 production guidance, supporting the company’s wider growth plans. Wine and Agriculture: Bosnian producers joined more than 45 wineries from across Europe at Slovenia’s Decanter medal-winners’ showcase, presenting award-winning wines and regional grape varieties to trade and consumer audiences.

Mining: DPM Metals says its Vareš mine is ramping up ahead of expectations and is on track to exceed its 2026 production guidance; the operation processed 143,000 tonnes of ore in the third quarter. Healthcare Supply: The Federation of BiH temporarily suspended distribution of a Bulgarian-made BCG vaccine while authorities investigate reported reactions in Croatia. Manufacturing: Bosnian manufacturer ADK plans to invest BAM 12 million in a new plant and create jobs. Agriculture and Food: BiH wine producers joined more than 45 regional wineries at Slovenia’s Decanter medal-winners salon, showcasing award-winning vintages and indigenous grape varieties. Energy: A regional call to turn Western Balkan energy-transition plans into workable projects highlights the need to move from commitments to delivery.

Mining: Canada’s DPM Metals says its Vareš mine in Bosnia and Herzegovina is ramping up ahead of expectations and is on track to exceed its 2026 production guidance. The company produced 97,000 gold-equivalent ounces across its operations in the third quarter. Manufacturing: Bosnian manufacturer ADK plans to invest BAM 12 million in a new plant and create jobs. Construction: Sarajevo Canton’s Interior Ministry is planning a BAM 3.9 million hangar and vehicle service centre. Food and drink: More than 45 producers from the region, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, showcased Decanter medal-winning wines at a trade event in Slovenia.

Glass Manufacturing: Sisecam showcased energy-efficient architectural glass at GlassBuild America, including coated and bird-friendly products aimed at the U.S. market. Mining: DPM Metals reported 97,000 gold-equivalent ounces in the third quarter and said its Vareš mine is ramping up faster than expected, with 2026 output expected to exceed guidance. Manufacturing Investment: Bosnian manufacturer ADK plans to invest BAM 12 million in a new plant and create jobs. Transport Infrastructure: Sarajevo’s tram extension to Hrasnica has opened, adding a new link to the city’s public transport network.

Mining: DPM Metals produced 97,000 gold-equivalent ounces in the third quarter and says its Vareš mine is ramping up ahead of plan, with output expected to exceed its 2026 guidance. Manufacturing: Bosnian producer ADK plans to invest BAM 12 million in a new plant and create jobs. Energy Security: Bosnia and Herzegovina has no strategic fuel reserves, according to Energy Community data, highlighting a gap as the region works to make its energy-transition plans actionable. Transport Infrastructure: Sarajevo’s tram extension to Hrasnica has opened, adding new public-transport links to the capital’s network.

Media and Services: Disney+ has secured NBA rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the 2035–36 season, expanding its sports offering for local subscribers. Energy Investment: A U.S. firm linked to Trump associates is nearing a potential role in the $1.5 billion Southern Interconnection gas pipeline, drawing scrutiny over the project and its political ties. Manufacturing: Bosnian producer ADK plans to invest BAM 12 million in a new plant and create jobs. Mining: DPM Metals says its Vareš operation is running normally while a land dispute is under Constitutional Court review. Infrastructure: Sarajevo’s tram extension to Hrasnica has opened, while a new Sarajevo 12 transformer station—worth BAM 10.5 million—adds electricity infrastructure. Energy Security: Regional data indicate Bosnia and Herzegovina has no strategic fuel reserves; Western Balkan energy-transition advocates say delivery now depends on funding and coordination, not new targets. Workforce: Germany plans to halve its Western Balkans work-visa quota from 50,000 to 25,000 a year, a move German construction groups warn could worsen labor shortages.

Healthcare: The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has temporarily suspended distribution and use of a Bulgarian-made BCG vaccine while investigating reported reactions in Croatia; no serious reactions have been reported locally. Energy: A U.S. firm linked to Trump associates is close to securing a contract for the Southern Interconnection gas pipeline, a project valued at more than $1.5 billion. U.S. lawmakers have questioned the administration’s role and the lifting of sanctions on Milorad Dodik. Manufacturing: Bosnian manufacturer ADK plans to invest BAM 12 million in a new plant and create jobs. Construction & Labour: Germany plans to halve its Western Balkans work-visa quota to 25,000 a year from 2027. The German construction association warns the change could worsen labour shortages. Digital Commerce: Around 10% of businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina sell online, among the region’s lowest shares; Albania’s share rose to 26%. Regional Infrastructure: Montenegro has begun work on a €237 million Budva bypass, with a consortium including Bosnian companies; construction is expected to take four years.

Bosnia Election Integrity: A new BFMI-linked report says coordinated digital manipulation targeted Bosnia’s election, using fake X and Facebook accounts to manufacture support for SNSD and undermine opponents and election authorities. Voter Trust & Turnout: Turnout in BiH fell below 50% for the first time, with analysts pointing to political apathy, mistrust, and population outflow, while the Under Scrutiny Coalition warns some of the drop may also reflect reduced ballot abuse. EU Enlargement & Defence: The European Commission floated gradual defence integration for candidate countries, explicitly naming Bosnia and Herzegovina among those waiting, alongside tools like SAFE loans and the European Defence Industry Programme. Energy Transition Implementation: Western Balkans green transition talks stressed that the next phase needs financing and coordination for existing commitments, not more targets—an issue tied to jobs and local revenues. Cross-Border Labour Pressure: Germany plans to cut Western Balkans work-hire quotas in half from 2027, raising concerns for construction staffing and infrastructure delivery. Local Industry Tech: Titan OS added SkyShowtime to Philips and Sharp smart TVs across Bosnia and Herzegovina, signaling continued growth in consumer tech access.

Bosnia Election Integrity: A new BFMI-backed study says coordinated fake accounts on X and Facebook helped manufacture support for SNSD and smear opponents during Bosnia’s campaign, with no clear public action yet from X or Meta. EU Enlargement & Defence: The European Commission floated a gradual defence integration path for candidate countries, naming Bosnia & Herzegovina among those waiting and pointing to tools like SAFE loans and the European Defence Industry Programme. Energy Transition Focus: Western Balkans civil society warns the region’s green transition is stuck on implementation and accountability, not new targets—calling for results in clean air, lower emissions, and energy security. Voter Trust & Turnout: Bosnia saw turnout drop below 50% for the first time, with analysts linking it to apathy, mistrust, and population decline. Industry & Jobs: Bosnia’s ADK plans a BAM 12 million new plant investment and job creation, while Sarajevo Canton moves on a BAM 3.9 million hangar and car service center. Digital TV Access: Titan OS-powered Philips and Sharp TVs across Bosnia now carry SkyShowtime, expanding consumer media access.

Streaming & Consumer Tech: Titan OS-powered Philips and Sharp TVs across 22 European markets, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, now carry the SkyShowtime app, bringing Comcast/Paramount content straight to home screens. Election Integrity & Trust: A new report says Bosnia’s campaign included a coordinated network of fake social media accounts that boosted support for SNSD in Republika Srpska, raising fresh questions about how narratives are manufactured during voting. Voter Participation: Bosnia’s turnout fell below 50% for the first time since the 1990s, with analysts pointing to apathy, mistrust, and migration, while critics also warn that past ballot abuse may still be part of the story. Workforce & Industry Impact: Germany plans to cut Western Balkans work-visa approvals from 50,000 to 25,000 from 2027, a move construction groups warn could strain infrastructure delivery. Manufacturing Investment: Bosnian steel-structure maker ADK says it will invest BAM 12 million in a new plant and jobs in Novi Travnik. Local Infrastructure: Sarajevo Canton’s interior ministry plans a hangar and car service center worth BAM 3.9 million, adding to the region’s public works pipeline.

Bosnia Election Watch: Bosnia and Herzegovina held general elections for the Presidency and Parliament, with 3.41 million registered voters choosing 518 posts across the state, entities and cantons, as electronic ballot scanners were used in the first preliminary counts. Construction & Industry: Bosnia’s ADK plans to invest 12 million BAM in a new plant in Novi Travnik, aiming to create new jobs and expand production of complex steel structures for construction machinery. Infrastructure Procurement (Sarajevo Canton): Sarajevo Canton’s Interior Ministry and the Construction Institute launched a public procurement for a 3.9 million BAM auto service hall and storage facility in Stup, including hangars for forensic vehicle examinations. Energy Security: An Energy Community expert says preparedness for oil shocks is about more than emergency stocks, stressing solidarity and collective action as regional governments review stockholding rules. Workforce Pressure (Germany): Germany plans to cut Western Balkans work visa quotas from 50,000 to 25,000 from January 2027, warning of potential labor shortages that could hit construction and infrastructure delivery. Regional Trade Shift: Albania’s online sales surge (26% of businesses) contrasts with Bosnia’s lower online participation (around 10%), highlighting a digital sales gap across the Western Balkans.

Bosnia Election Watch: Bosnia held general elections for the three-member Presidency and parliament posts, with 3.41 million registered voters and 518 positions at stake; preliminary results point to Denis Bećirović winning the Bosniak seat and Darijana Filipović taking the Croat seat, while the Serb seat race is led by Željka Cvijanović. Mining & Rule-of-Law: A Constitutional Court decision tied to the Vareš mine permits challenges how investment approvals were handled, though DPM Metals says operations at Vareš continue while authorities have a review window. Construction & Public Works: Sarajevo Canton launched procurement for an auto service hall and storage facility for the Interior Ministry in Stup (3.9 million BAM), aiming to improve forensic vehicle examination capacity. Energy Infrastructure: Sarajevo opened a new 12-transformer station project worth 10.5 million BAM, adding to local grid capacity. Urban Mobility: Sarajevo’s first tram extension since 1962 opened, extending Route 11 from Ilidža to Hrasnica (6.4 km) with electrification and signaling upgrades. Industry & Jobs: ADK plans to invest 12 million BAM in a new plant in Novi Travnik, targeting new jobs and expanded steel-structure production for construction machinery.

Bosnia Election Watch: Bosnia and Herzegovina went to the polls Sunday with 3.41 million registered voters choosing 518 posts, including the three-member multi-ethnic Presidency and lawmakers across state, entity and cantonal levels, as ethnic and pro-Russian tensions remain a major campaign driver. Industrial Investment: ADK, a Novi Travnik steel-structures manufacturer for construction machinery, plans to invest BAM 12 million in a new plant and create new jobs. Mining & Courts: DPM Metals says its Vareš operation is running normally after Bosnia’s Constitutional Court ruling, which set a six-month review period over concession-related acts tied to state forests. Energy & Infrastructure: Sarajevo Canton’s Interior Ministry launched procurement for a new auto service and hangar/storage facility in Stup worth BAM 3.9 million (without VAT), aimed at upgrading forensic vehicle work. Transport Upgrade: Sarajevo opened its first tram extension since 1962, adding 6.4 km and 20 stops, financed via EBRD Green Cities support. EU Path & Diplomacy: BiH’s EU envoy urged faster unblocking of the country’s European path, while Berlin Process talks highlighted EU credibility tests amid Russian influence concerns.

Election Watch: Bosnia and Herzegovina went to the polls for general elections covering 518 seats across the state, entities and cantons, with 3.41 million registered voters choosing the three-member presidency and lawmakers as polling runs 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Industrial Investment: ADK, a steel-structure manufacturer in Novi Travnik, plans to invest BAM 12 million in a new plant and create new jobs. Construction & Public Works: Sarajevo Canton’s Interior Ministry launched procurement for a new auto service hall and storage facility in Stup worth BAM 3.9 million (VAT excluded), aimed at upgrading forensic vehicle examination conditions. Mining & Rule of Law: DPM Metals says its Vareš underground silver mine continues operating normally after Bosnia’s Constitutional Court ruling, while authorities review challenged acts tied to state forests and forestry land. Infrastructure & Mobility: Sarajevo opened the first tram extension since 1962—6.4 km from Ilidža to Hrasnica—adding 20 stops and funded via EBRD Green Cities support. Public Finance: ITA BiH reported record September indirect-tax revenue of BAM 1.208 billion and total 2026 first-nine-month collections of BAM 9.567 billion.

Industrial Investment: ADK, a Novi Travnik steel-structures manufacturer, plans to invest BAM 12 million in a new plant and create new jobs, reinforcing Bosnia’s industrial production base. Transport & Logistics: Croatia-backed plans for an Adriatic-Ionian railway corridor would link Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania and Greece, aiming to boost freight and passenger flows through Adriatic ports. Energy Infrastructure: Elektroprenos Bosnia and Herzegovina officially opened the Sarajevo 12 transformer station, a BAM 10.5 million project built largely with domestic companies to strengthen the grid and improve supply stability. Construction & Public Works: Sarajevo Canton’s Interior Ministry and the Construction Institute launched procurement for an auto service hall and storage facility in Stup worth BAM 3.9 million, targeting better conditions for forensic vehicle examinations. Mining & Legal Risk: DPM Metals says its Vareš mine continues operating normally after Bosnia’s Constitutional Court ruling; authorities now have six months to review challenged acts tied to state forests and forestry land. Tax Revenue: The Indirect Taxation Authority reported record September collections of BAM 1.208 billion and strong first-nine-month VAT and indirect tax totals.

Infrastructure & Industry Procurement: Sarajevo Canton and the Construction Institute launched a new public procurement for an auto service hall and storage facility for the Ministry of Interior in Stup, worth 3.9 million BAM, aiming to upgrade forensic vehicle examination conditions. Power Grid Modernization: Elektroprenos Bosnia and Herzegovina officially opened the Sarajevo 12 transformer station, a 10.5 million BAM investment, with a large share of work delivered by domestic companies to improve supply stability and enable new business. Mining & Rule of Law: DPM Metals says its Vareš underground silver mine is operating normally after Bosnia’s Constitutional Court ruling; the court set a six-month review period for challenged acts tied to state-forest and concession issues. Smart Cities & Regional Tech: Beam Europe secured about $4 million in smart city infrastructure orders across the Western Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, supporting transport, telecom, utilities and municipal projects. EU Integration Pressure: At the Berlin Process meeting, BiH FM Elmedin Konaković urged the EU to respond more decisively to regional political obstruction and to keep Bosnia’s European path unblocked. Public Finance: The Indirect Taxation Authority reported record September revenue of 1.208 billion BAM and 9.567 billion BAM collected in the first nine months of 2026. Local Mobility: Sarajevo opened its first tram extension since 1962, adding 6.4 km and 20 stops from Ilidža to Hrasnica, financed through EBRD Green Cities support. Social Tensions in Schools: A Srebrenica school faced backlash after reports that students were warned against wearing Bosnia national team jerseys, with possible disciplinary sanctions.