BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA Trends and Developments Contributed by: Nebojša Marić, Marić & Co
tion process. This represents a major techno - logical milestone for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024, enhancing both the security and efficiency of the electoral system. Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently in the early stages of implementing the 5G network. The Regulatory Agency for Communications (RAK) is responsible for issuing licences for the provi - sion of 5G services, and the timeline and costs necessary for launching the bidding process are currently being assessed. In 2023, BH Telecom successfully carried out trial launches of the 5G network in several city centres, demonstrating its technical readiness for this new generation of mobile internet. Although these tests have shown promising results, it will take some time before the 5G net - work is widely available throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. This project could attract invest - ments from international telecommunications companies. Telecommunications and Media Two major telecom operators, BH Telecom and HT Mostar, are still majority owned by the state. Discussions about privatisation opportunities continue, with interest focused on attracting strategic or PE investors capable of finalising a deal. BH Telecom recorded a significant gross profit increase of 37% in the first quarter of 2024. In January 2025, BH Telecom officially submit - ted a request to the Competition Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the acquisition of Telemach. This is a broader acquisition package, as BH Telecom will acquire not only Telemach in Bosnia and Herzegovina but also Telemach in Montenegro and North Macedonia. The transac - tion will also be reviewed by the relevant com - petition authority in Montenegro. This strategic
move aims to strengthen BH Telecom’s leader - ship position in the telecommunications market of Bosnia and Herzegovina and marks a pivotal moment for both BH Telecom and Telemach, promising to transform the telecommunications landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monte - negro and North Macedonia. On the other hand, in 2023 Telekom Srpske was declared as the company with the highest profit in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it has long been a pillar of the economy of that entity. It is also regarded as one of the best-implemented priva - tisations and the best foreign investment from Serbia. Last year, Telekom Srpske achieved a net profit of BAM332,390,000, an increase of BAM250,000,000, or 304% compared to the previous year. Textile The export value of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s textile, clothing, leather, and footwear indus - try reached nearly BAM1,865,000,000 in 2023, representing an increase of approximately BAM31,000,000 compared to the previous year, according to data from the Foreign Trade Cham - ber of BiH (VTKBiH). Progress has been made in modernising pro - duction units and introducing new technologies, with the industry’s goal of becoming a recog - nisable part of the global market. Bosnia and Herzegovina has an experienced and educated workforce with academic knowledge and prac - tical experience. The proximity to Western and Eastern European markets is Bosnia and Herze - govina’s main advantage. In 2024, the globally recognised fashion brand Mango made a return to Bosnia and Herzego - vina, reopening stores in key locations. This re- entry aligns with broader retail developments, as
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