Representatives of the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) took part in the opening ceremony of ZEPS 2026, the International General Trade Fair officially opened in Zenica on September 2, 2026. Bringing together companies, investors, institutions, chambers of commerce and international delegations, this year's fair is being held under the slogan "Business First!" and places a strong emphasis on international business cooperation, technology, investment and innovation.
The IUS delegation included Mr. Hasan Topaloğlu, President of the SEDEF Foundation, and Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı, Rector of IUS. IUS is also present at ZEPS with its own exhibition stand, where visitors can learn more about the University's growing research and innovation capacities, with particular emphasis on the IUS Research and Development Center (RDC), its sophisticated research infrastructure, advanced equipment and machinery, and the opportunities it provides for cooperation between academia, industry and the wider innovation ecosystem.
Türkiye's Strong Presence at ZEPS
Türkiye has a particularly prominent role at ZEPS 2026. In his address at the opening ceremony, Mr. Şekib Avdagić, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), and member of the IUS Board of Trustees, highlighted Türkiye's strong and continuous presence at the fair. This year's participation includes 50 Turkish companies representing 25 sectors across approximately 1,500 square meters of exhibition space. He emphasized the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce's commitment to advancing economic and trade relations between Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina and creating new opportunities for companies from the two countries to connect.
Mr. Avdagić also placed particular emphasis on the importance of education, entrepreneurship and the start-up ecosystem, highlighting initiatives connected with universities and BTM and their potential to support entrepreneurs in reaching international investors and markets.
Türkiye's strong engagement was also underlined by H.E. Emin Akseki, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Bosnia and Herzegovina, who emphasized Türkiye's continued support for the economic development and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as efforts to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment. He noted that 50 companies from Türkiye are participating in this year's fair and will have opportunities to establish new partnerships through B2B meetings.
IUS and BTM Sign Memorandum of Understanding
A particularly important outcome of IUS's participation in the opening day of ZEPS 2026 was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the International University of Sarajevo and Bilgiyi Ticarileştirme Merkezi (BTM).
The agreement was signed by Dr. Önder Kul, General Director of BTM, and Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı, Rector of IUS.
The Memorandum provides a framework for establishing the "BTM Lite" Innovation Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina and developing systematic cooperation in the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. Its purpose is to bring BTM's methodology, expertise and entrepreneurial support programs to the IUS campus and, through IUS, contribute to the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.
The planned cooperation goes considerably beyond a conventional institutional partnership. It foresees knowledge and know-how transfer, joint incubation and acceleration programs, investor access, participation in international trade fairs and business delegations, internationalization support and soft-landing opportunities for start-ups and entrepreneurs.
For IUS, the partnership represents another important step in connecting its academic and research capacities with entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, industry and international investment networks. Together with the University's presence at ZEPS and the presentation of the IUS Research and Development Center, the agreement reinforces IUS's strategic commitment to transforming knowledge and research into practical innovation and stronger links with the business community.
ZEPS 2026 continues through September 5 with business meetings, panels, international delegations and programs dedicated to technology, digitalization, entrepreneurship, investment and cooperation between universities and industry.
