Ahead of 20th Anniversary of Dayton Accords, Shaheen and Wicker Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Encourage Job Creation & Economic Stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Press Release

Today, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the lead Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee for European Affairs, and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced bipartisan legislation to help bolster the economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has struggled to keep pace with the political progress in that country brought about by the signing of the Dayton Accords 20 years ago. This bipartisan legislation would establish an enterprise fund, directed by a board of American investment professionals, capable of leveraging both public and private funding to provide entrepreneurs access to the same kinds of loans and investment opportunities afforded to small and medium-sized American businesses. By strengthening the private sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this legislation would help to create space to continue moving forward on political reforms.

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"Since the end of the Bosnian war 20 years ago, Bosnia and Herzegovina has travelled a long and difficult road towards peace and reconciliation," said Shaheen. "Economic growth and opportunity are critical to sustaining this country's significant progress. This bill is an opportunity for the United States to step-up its efforts to promote stability in the region by providing much-needed financing to proven job-creators, while also opening up investment opportunities for American businesses."

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