MUMBAI: Blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and picturesque locales, Bosnia and Herzegovina is targeting Indian tourists, especially Bollywood, in a big way and also wants to enhance economic ties with India.
"We offer picturesque, beautiful and unexplored locations for film-making and can support Indian film-makers with special sops, attractive deals," said the country's Ambassador Sabit Subasic in a presentation specially arranged for the members of Indian community here on Wednesday.
"Our country would offer support to the Indian filmmakers right from municipal level to all the tiers depending upon their requirement. I will be happy to facilitate our support to Indian film-makers choosing Bosnia as a destination," Subasic said in his address.
Besides, Bosnia and Herzegovina is also looking at enhancing bilateral trade in sectors such as machinery, steel production, furniture, food and food processing, energy and defence among others in which both the countries can benefit from, a release quoting the Ambassador said.
"Currently, the trade volume between India and Bosnia is very insignificant at around 50 million Euros, but we hope to grow this at a rate of 50 per cent year-on-year for the next couple of years. Also, we are targeting to create a more balanced trade by enhancing exports to India," he said.
"There are a lot of similarities between Bosnian and Indian people. Similar to the Indian traditions and culture, Bosnians have a tradition that believe guest is like God."
Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country on the Balkan Peninsula in south-eastern Europe, is well known as a film centre. The Sarajevo Film Festival is the 4th most important movie fest in Europe that attracts a large number of film makers, journalists and patrons from film and entertainment industry, the Ambassador said.
The country is the third fastest-growing travel destination in the world. "We have a serene nature, rich culture and great hospitality that makes everything for our tourism potential," he added.
Speaking on the occasion, noted Indian filmmaker Imtiaz Ali said "my experience of Sarajevo was amazing. There are so many interesting buildings, architectural sites, and unexplored places and not only just that, it is also a great example of civilisation."