ESIS extension / Key Person Contacts and Organisations / Bosnia / Summary Report (1999

February 2001

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Summary Report (1999 - 2000)

1. General background

According to the Dayton Agreement 1995 the country is divided into two administrative entities: Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina - commonly recognised abbreviation: FBiH) and Republika Srpska (Republic of Srpska - commonly recognised abbreviation: RS).

FBiH is further divided into ten cantons, and RS is administratively organised into a few regions.

Both entities enjoy a high level of autonomy that surpasses that of other countries. For example, they possess army and police forces, border and custom offices, financial agencies, educational systems, telecommunications systems etc. Both entities have their own governmental structures, including a parliament (assembly), government, ministries and a presidency.

There exists Federal Presidency (with 3 members) and a Federal Parliament. In order to oversee the civilian implementation of the Dayton Agreement an Office of the High Representative (OHR) is appointed by the UN Security Council. OHR can be in a way regarded as the legislative subject in the country, because it has the power of suspending decisions made by the entity's/country's parliaments or other representatives.

2. Information Society Key Person Contacts and Organisations

At the beginning of this project, Bosnia and Herzegovina was in the process of recovering from the consequences of war. There were immense activities in both entities in reconstruction and rebuilding of the major facilities in the field of transportation, energy, and infrastructure, damaged during the war. Consequently, there was no IS activities in the well-defined terms.

In this sense, it is essential to cover the persons who have a major role in the decision-making processes. Key organisations in the Information Society sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina include the assemblies and governments of both entities, corresponding local government administrations, private business (SMEs), industry and services, academic and academic institutions and associations.

1.1. Ministries and governmental organisations

The Federal Parliament, as well as the Parliaments of the Republic of Srpska and of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, represents the highest representative and legislative body in the country. Amongst other functions, it passes laws, the national budget and the final account of the national budget, ratifies international agreements, and adopts national programs, declarations, resolutions, recommendations, positions and decisions.

The Governments of RS and BH are the executives and the supreme bodies of the entities' state administration. The governments of the entities have proposed a few national programs related to the Information Society (education, infrastructure, research, and development).

The government of RS has proposed national programs related to the Information Society, especially in education.
Contact: Mr. Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska

Similarly, the government of BH has proposed certain initiatives related to the Information Society.
Contact: Mr. Dusan Sandic, and Mr. Djuradj Banjac, Minister.

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formed a Year 2000 National Committee.
Contact: Mr. Jadranko Prljic, Minister.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications in the Republic of Srpska is officially responsible for Telecoms and Information Society issues. These issues are related to research, technology, and development, as well as for the use of information technologies in state bodies and public institutions in the Republic of Srpska. In addition, it is responsible for the implementation of information technology within governmental institutions. It is responsible for the Law on Telecommunications. The Ministry had a central role in drafting the Program for the Development of Telecommunications.
Contact: Mr. Marko Pavic, minister.

1.2. Research Institutes and Organisations

Research cooperation is triggered and started between the Universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Universities are organising events and seminars relating to information technology, and projects relating Information Society.

Contacts:

Dr Zdenko Kordic, Rector of the University of Mostar (West),

Dr Mustafa Selimovic, Rector of the University of Mostar (East),

Dr Dragoljub Mirjanic, rector of the University of Banja Luka,

Dr Ismet Kasumagic, Rector of the University of Bihac,

Dr Sadik Latifatig, Rector of the University of Tuzla

Dr Nedjad Mulabegovic, Rector of the University of Sarajevo.

Universities are connected through BIHARnet (Bosnia and Herzegovina Academic and Research Network).

The Open Society Foundation - Bosnia and Herzegovina aims at supporting and funding institutions of open society. In the field of Information Society, the Institute financially supports various educational and cultural projects.
Contact: Mr Finci Jacob, Executive Director

1.3. Telecommunication operators:

JP PTT Saobracaja Bosne i Hercegovine - main telecomm operator in the Federation of BiH. It is public enterprise with monopoly in this area.
Contact: Tarik Sarhimamovic, Director

PTT Srpske - main telecomm operator in the Republic of Srpska. It is state owned company, with monopoly in this area.
Contact: Director

1.4. Potential alternative infrastructure providers:

JP Elektroprivreda FBIH - The company core activities are in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. However, there are plans to improve its telecommunications capacities as a first step toward alternative network.
Contact: Meho Obradovic, Director

Cable TV Banja Luka - This is cable TV company that covers the region of Banja Luka. Contact: Mr Janez Bozic, Chief Executive Officer

BlicNET Internet Services - This is private company that provides various Internet services.
Contact: Aneks, d.o.o., Director

BIHARNET- Academic and Research Network of BiH - The Academic and Research Network of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIHARNET) was established as a public institution to provide communication and information services to educational and research community. It is financed by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The main activities of the BIHARNET are:

planning, organising and managing the connections between the organisations from academic and research area, and connection with other countries

developing, organising and supervising computer network services and managing and performing the necessary central activities together with the purchase of necessary hardware, software and communication equipment,

organising and carrying out the appropriate supporting, educational and counselling activities,

managing the address space in computer networks (under the country code BA).

Contact: Mr Marko Bonac, Director

UniNet - University Computer Network, Banja Luka and Academic and Research Network of Republic of Srpska (SARNET) - Intention is to provide communication and information services to educational and research community in the Republic of Srpska.
Contact: Mr. Miroslav Roglic, Director of University Computer Center, Banja Luka

1.5. Business Associations

Chamber of Economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina - This chamber provides the necessary services to its members and to the potential customers. Besides its basic functions and services, the chamber supports and initiates several promotion actions.
Contact: Mr Mensur Smajlovic, President

Please note that this report has been prepared under the sole responsibility of the ESIS II contractors.
It does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission, nor does the Commission accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of information contained herein.
The ESIS Team of contractors welcomes any additional information or corrections.