Software Industry Development is a Great Economic Opportunity for BiH

The Ministry of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with the Association of software companies Bit Alliance, hosted the Second Conference on the potentials of the software industry development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Due to the lack of qualified labor force in the software industry, Bosnia and Herzegovina loses 1.5 million KM of potential revenue per day.

“Our obligation is to ensure, through quality legislation which includes adequate legal and regulatory solutions, policies and strategies, the development of the information society and create a better environment for the development of the software industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina” said BH Minister of Communications and Transport Ismir Jusko in conference opening.

“I think that the software industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a great opportunity for progress, and I invite you to take advantage of this conference in order to continue the development of this industry to overcome political problems and together offer a solution to the problem of unemployment of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina” said US Ambassador in BiH, Maureen Cormack.

“The public often does not know how much work is in this industry, and that the fourth digital revolution brings new jobs, and we have to use it” said Haris Memić, chairman of the Bit Alliance Board of Directors, and pointed out that “the software industry could be at the top of the list BH exporters for three years if, in cooperation with representatives of the authorities and academic community, we implement the plans presented today.”

With the close cooperation of representatives of government, universities and the Bit Alliance in September this year, hundreds of students will be enrolled in a two-year IT course, which will be introduced for the first time in BH higher education institutions. In this way, the software industry will provide adequate workforce in a relatively short period of time. Further efforts should be made to encourage and re-qualify potential developers.

“We are aware of the fact that the enormous challenges that software industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina represents before education. The University of Sarajevo can respond to the education of IT professionals through specially developed programs” said University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj. He also reminded of the activities undertaken by the University of Sarajevo, such as the initiation of approval procedures for two professional studies for a two years period: “Information Technologies” at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and “Software Development” at the Faculty of Electric Engineering.

At the conference were presented results and activities so far implemented for the purpose of strengthening the software industry in BiH, and pointed to the challenges facing the industry with the potential of opening 6000 jobs. Also, on this occasion, a Memorandum of Mutual Cooperation between the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BiH and the Association of the Alliance for Information Technologies Association was signed.

Association of IT companies Bit Alliance is ready to help advice and concrete activities. They are aware that positive energy outflows in the fast-growing software industry, which opens up new jobs, do not necessarily involve a financial aspect.