This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

Overview

There is a longstanding tradition of metal processing in BiH, due to the country’s abundance in natural resources such as iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, and copper.  The metal sector is a significant export driver with robust production growth rate of over ten percent in the past few years.  The main export products of the metal sector include aluminum, steel and automotive industry components.  BiH’s metal sector exports are primarily oriented towards the EU and Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) markets. 
The majority of metal processing companies are small companies (80 percent) while medium sized companies represent 15 percent and large companies represent five percent of companies in the metal
sector.
 

Leading Sub-Sectors

  • Petroleum coke, petroleum bitumen and other residues of petroleum

  • Stone coal

  • Sodium hydroxide

 

Opportunities

The existing structure of the metal sector, characterized by small companies, provides an opportunity for larger companies to integrate existing primary producers and further develop their business operations. 
The price of labor in the metal processing industry in BiH is competitive when compared with global market labor costs.  Besides materials for industrial processing, small private companies also buy modern computerized equipment and strive to stay updated with current technologies.  Many factories are engaged in semi-processing of components for foreign companies based in the EU and neighboring countries.

Top metal processing companies in BiH that present the best sales prospects for U.S. suppliers include Arcelor Mittal Zenica, TMD AI Gradačac,  MLM Alutec Bugojno, Bekto-Precisa, FEAL, Tvornica Glinice Birač Zvornik, Jelšingrad Livnica Čelika Banja Luka, and Aluminij Mostar.  Procurement notices can be found on the companies’ websites and the best way to access these opportunities is via some form of local
presence, either direct or through agents and distributors.
 

Web Resources

BiH Foreign Trade Chamber
Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Industry of the Federation of B&H
Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mining of the Republika Srpska
Chamber of Economy of the Federation of BiH
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republika Srpska


 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.