Ambassador of the United States of America in BiH, H.E. Maureen E. Cormack, visited the headquarters of ASA Prevent Group in Sarajevo where she was received by the representatives of the management.
The Ambassador had an opportunity to find out more about the history and global presence of the Group, medium term development plans, as well as talk about new investments.
In addition, what was also highlighted was ASA Prevent’s great contribution to the development of Bosnian and Herzegovinian economy, particularly in regards to employment opportunities and export. Ambassador Cormack was impressed with the work and philanthropy of the Group and emphasized that it is companies like these that offer examples of good practices, even in an unenviable business environment.
During the meeting, reform measures, particularly those concerning education, taxes and pensions, were also discussed as means of supporting the sustainable development of the private sector and helping the long-term increase the employment in BiH.
ASA Prevent Group expressed its sincere gratitude for the close and active collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but most of all for the last project that the USAID, Prevent Group and the Hastor Foundation carry out in Bugojno which concerns the prequalification of unemployed persons with the goal of providing them with employment opportunities in the shoe manufacturing industry.
At the end of the visit, the Hastor Foundation and ASA Prevent Group presented ambassador Cormack with a special recognition award which is the reflection of the gratitude and respect for all the contribution and effort put in improvement of the educational system and economic change.
“The Hastor Foundation and ASA Prevent Group share the views of the U.S. Embassy in BiH that the economic reforms and the reform of the educational system are, long-term, the most important and needed reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The U.S. Ambassador has tirelessly championed the necessity of these reforms and shown real leadership, standing at the front of the International Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina and so today’s recognition is just a small token of gratitude and appreciation that shows that we follow the work and share the views and values of the U.S. Embassy in BiH, but also that we hope that, in the future, we will continue to work together on carrying out these essential reforms in BiH. We are delighted that the Ambassador Cormack was the first to receive the aforementioned recognition award,” said Seid Fijuljanin, the Hastor Foundation’s Managing Director, on the occasion.
