ProCredit Bank continuously supports small and medium-sized enterprises in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the region, through its group, enabling them to operate stably and access international partners. As a bank with a strong presence in Southeastern and Eastern Europe, it facilitates business operations for companies relying on direct supply chains and sales channels. Through ProCredit Connect: Regional B2B Summit, held in Sarajevo in October 2024, they brought together entrepreneurs with the goal of strengthening business connections and facilitating the exchange of goods and services at an international level.
Among the companies that have established long-term cooperation through similar initiatives of the ProCredit group, A. Reiter GmbH from Germany and Sarfa d.o.o. from Bosnia and Herzegovina stand out. Their business relationship demonstrates how regional connectivity can lead to success in the international market.
A. Reiter GmbH is a Bavarian company specializing in the trade of biofuels and has been a long-time client of ProCredit Bank. Sustainable forestry and environmentally friendly business practices are the foundation of their operations, and when selecting and distributing products, they rely on trusted regional partners, including the company Sarfa from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We spoke with Josef Reiter and Fermiz Smajlović about their collaboration, its beginnings, and the benefits both companies gain from such cooperation.
Josef Reiter: Business development through regional connectivity
Mr. Reiter, you are a client of ProCredit Bank in Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ukraine. Why are these markets crucial to you?
Many of our long-time partners and suppliers come from Southeastern and Eastern Europe. We see enormous potential in the region and over the years, we have gradually strengthened our cooperation at the local level. Sustainable and reliable supply chains are essential for our business.
What advantages do you see in working with ProCredit Bank?
The bank's international orientation is extremely important to us, as well as its flexible and non-bureaucratic communication. Understanding the various economic and cultural specifics of the region facilitates our business and allows us to quickly adapt to market changes.
Fermiz Smajlović: Strengthening domestic production through international cooperation
Sarfa d.o.o., a company from Srednji, is an excellent example of the successful combination of domestic production and export to demanding European markets. Mr. Smajlović started his business on his grandfather’s farm, and today Sarfa operates on 7,000 square meters and exports 99% of its products to Germany, Austria, Italy, and other countries.
Feriz Smajlovic
How did your collaboration with A. Reiter begin?
Our collaboration has lasted over 16 years. Initially, I helped A. Reiter GmbH get acquainted with the Bosnian market. Later, we identified the need to establish a company that would deal with the production, storage, and logistics of biofuels. Connected companies, like ours, share challenges and solve them together, which contributes to the stability and growth of the business.
How important is regional connectivity for Sarfa, and how does ProCredit Bank facilitate these processes?
In an era where markets are becoming more interconnected, collaboration with regional partners is key. Open trade alliances bring challenges, but also opportunities, so strengthening ties within the region is essential. ProCredit Bank supports us in this by enabling secure and efficient financial transactions, fast payments, and innovative digital solutions.
What was your experience with the ProCredit Connect: Regional B2B Summit?
We participated in both B2B Summits organized by ProCredit Bank, in Thessaloniki and Sarajevo. These events brought us new business partners, the exchange of experiences, and valuable information about market development. Such meetings are invaluable for building long-term business relationships.
Which aspects of your collaboration with ProCredit Bank would you particularly highlight?
Our company has been operating for 15 years, and we have been collaborating with ProCredit Bank for 13. During that time, ProCredit Bank has become our only business bank. We previously worked with other banks, but based on our experiences, we concluded that ProCredit Bank provides a comprehensive service that fully meets our needs.
The key advantages we highlight are the speed with which all our requests are resolved, from loans and financing to currency conversion, payments to suppliers, and the issuance of various certificates. Since we have our main account with ProCredit Bank, the free and fast processing of international transactions, especially from Germany, is extremely important to us, as payments reach our account on the same day. Additionally, the bank's innovativeness was decisive in our choice. ProCredit Bank is often the first in Bosnia and Herzegovina to recognize the needs of entrepreneurs and tailor its services to meet our needs.
In the development of Sarfa d.o.o., ProCredit Bank has played a significant role. We financed the purchase and construction of our business premises with loans from this bank, and last year, with their support, we realized an investment in the construction of a solar power plant for electricity generation.
ProCredit Connect: Regional B2B Summit – A Platform for Business Development
ProCredit Connect: Regional B2B Summit brought together 500 entrepreneurs, ProCredit Bank clients from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Europe, creating an opportunity for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and the establishment of new business partnerships. Through the initiative of ProCredit Bank, companies like A. Reiter GmbH and Sarfa d.o.o. have the opportunity to strengthen their position in the international market by connecting with trusted partners from Southeastern and Eastern Europe. Such initiatives prove that cooperation and connectivity bring long-term value to all parties involved.
