Speaker of the House of Representatives Marinko Čavara and members of the Friendship Group for Asia of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PABiH) visited the city and special economic zone of Shenzhen in the People's Republic of China

The Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PABiH) and the Chairman of the Friendship Group for Asia in the PABiH, Marinko Čavara, along with members Albin Muslić, Aida Baručija, Safet Softić, Šemsudin Mehmedović, and Branislav Borenović, visited the city and the special economic zone of Shenzhen in the People's Republic of China.

During a cordial reception and discussions with the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress, Luo Wenzhi, and other leaders of this Chinese industrial metropolis, Speaker Čavara and the delegation members were acquainted with the construction, development, and functioning of Shenzhen. Over the past 40 years, after the establishment of the special economic zone, the city has become one of the pillars of the country's new economic policy and a success story in economic reforms and attracting foreign investments.

The Chinese hosts in the city known as the "Chinese Silicon Valley" presented the advantages of investing in Shenzhen, where over 200 leading global companies operate today. More than 10,000 foreign investment projects have been realized, and around 8,000 technology companies from around the world have their offices and sales outlets in the city. Officials from the city of Shenzhen emphasized that the special economic zone is also known for its airports and one of the three largest seaports in the world. They also said that the city attracts an increasing number of tourists from around the world.

During the discussions, Chinese officials showed interest in economic co-operation with Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in the areas of telecommunications, trade, and tourism. Emphasizing that Bosnia and Herzegovina produces excellent and healthy organic food, Shenzhen officials expressed interest in importing fruits and vegetables from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The hosts also extended an invitation to companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in the economic fair in Shenzhen and expressed their belief that the visit of the high delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina will contribute to strengthening the co-operation and friendship between the two countries.

Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Chairman of the Friendship Group for Asia, Marinko Čavara, stated that the members of the parliamentary delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina were impressed by what they saw during their stay in Shenzhen, especially the speed of construction, growth, and development of the city and economy in this part of China.

Affirming that Bosnia and Herzegovina respects China's One-China policy and the relations China has with Bosnia and Herzegovina and all other countries collaborating with China through the Belt and Road Initiative, Čavara expressed confidence that the expansion of this initiative, through eight new strategic goals presented by President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week, will contribute to global economic development and progress in relations between countries, enhancing peace worldwide.

Expressing satisfaction with the fact that numerous companies from BiH and the Southeast European region have established co-operation with China, as well as China's participation in major infrastructure projects in this part of Europe, Speaker Čavara assessed that the visit of the parliamentary delegation members from Bosnia and Herzegovina will stimulate the strengthening of economic co-operation and elevate the overall relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and China to a higher level.

During their stay in Shenzhen, Speaker Čavara and members of the delegation also visited the Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, a marvel of modern architecture designed and built by the Austrian firm Coop Himmelblau. It symbolizes the economic growth and development of the city and the special economic zone of Shenzhen, as well as the entire People's Republic of China. (end)