BOSNIA SIGNS KEY FORUM DEAL

MANAMA, Bahrain (April 10,2008) - The Crans Montana Forum has signed an agreement with the Bosnian government for the organisation of a key forum.The Crans Montana Forum will be held October 8 to 11 in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo.

Bosnia, which had attracted over $3.3 billion in foreign direct investments in 2007, is keen to replicate Bahrain's Islamic and conventional banking model. Bosnian delegation, currently in Bahrain to participate in Crans Montana Forum 2008, has also sealed an agreement with Chairman of the Crans Montana Forum for organising the first session of Crans Montana Forum in Sarajevo in October this year targeting GCC investors and businessmen.

The agreement was signed by Haris Basic General Director of the Bosnian Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Jean-Paul Carteron, Chairman, Crans Montana Forum.

The signing of the agreement took place on the sidelines of the forum "Central Europe and New Eastern Economies Strategies with the Gulf States" dedicated to the relationships between Central Europe and Gulf Countries.

Signing this agreement in Bahrain underlines Bosnia's plans for deeper co-operation with Bahrain and the Gulf states.

"Signing this agreement in Bahrain is a manifestation of Bosnia to welcome deeper cooperation with Bahrain and the Gulf states," Carteron said.

The signing of the agreement took place yesterday at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel and Spa during the forum "Central Europe and New Eastern Economies Strategies with the Gulf States" dedicated to the relationships between Central Europe and Gulf countries.

Participants from the GCC states will find unique interests in creating links with Bosnia, according to Crans Montana Forum chairman, Jean-Paul Carteron.

Bosnia offers a large number of investment opportunities in various fields such as infrastructure, transport networks, energy as well as financial markets.

The aim of the Crans Montana Forum in Sarajevo is to present opportunities in terms of joint ventures and foreign direct investment.

The forum will also have a regional focus thus gathering heads of states and governments from the southeastern Europe as well as key representatives of the business community.

It will provide participants with exceptional opportunities of networking with government officials and businesses from Bosnia and the rest of the southeastern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Middle East.
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