Honey Production and Packaging Facility for Beekeepers in Bosnia and Herzegovina by TİKA

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) inaugurated a Honey Production and Packaging Facility in Kaćuni, located in the Busovača region of the capital, Sarajevo.

In cooperation with TİKA and the Kaćuni Beekeepers’ Association, a 300 m² production facility was built on a 1000 m² plot of land. This facility aims to support the processing and marketing of honey and honey products from 13 associations operating in the region.

The opening ceremony was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Sarajevo, Sadık Babür Girgin; TİKA’s President, Serkan Kayalar; Prime Minister of Central Bosnia Canton, Tahir Lendo; Mayor of Busovača, Asim Mekić, as well as local beekeepers. During the event, the first production was symbolically initiated.

In his opening speech, Mr. Kayalar highlighted that TİKA’s beekeeping initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which began 15 years ago by providing 700 beehives to 35 families in Busovača, have since expanded through various training and support projects. These efforts have now culminated in the establishment of a modern facility, fully constructed and equipped by TİKA.

In his speech, Ambassador Girgin remarked that TİKA has extended Türkiye’s hand of friendship through its initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina, having completed nearly 1,100 projects to date. He expressed his hope that the success of this project would bring prosperity to the entire country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Lendo expressed his gratitude for the support provided by TİKA, noting that they have seen the impact of TİKA’s projects throughout many parts of the canton, which lies in the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The project aimed to support agricultural development by helping hundreds of producer families in the region generate income from the honey they produce.

With a daily processing capacity of 2.5 tons, the facility will be able to handle 40% of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s annual honey production.

The memory of late Ambassador Şükrü Tufan honored at TİKA Sarajevo PCO Building

To honor the memory of Şükrü Tufan, who served as Türkiye’s Ambassador to Sarajevo during the Bosnian War and passed away on April 30, a commemorative plaque was placed on the former embassy building in Sarajevo.

Ambassador Korkut Tufan, the son of the late Ambassador, along with TİKA President Serkan Kayalar; Türkiye’s Ambassador to Sarajevo, Sadık Babür Girgin; and TİKA’s Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Erdinç Işık attended the ceremony. The event was held at TİKA’s Sarajevo Program Coordination Office (PCO) building, where Şükrü Tufan served as Ambassador to Sarajevo from 1993 to 1996.

Korkut Tufan told reporters that his father was the first ambassador appointed to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He explained that during the war, the embassy was initially based in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital. “When it became clear that the war would not end soon, my father insisted saying, ‘I cannot leave my Bosnian brothers alone,’ and opened the embassy in Sarajevo during the war. This was not only the first Turkish embassy but also the first embassy ever that is established in Sarajevo. At that time, my mother accompanied him, and they spent those difficult days here, sharing in the struggles with their Bosnian brothers.”

TİKA President Kayalar remarked that it was a very special and emotional day for them. He noted that the late Ambassador Şükrü Tufan had established a special place in everyone’s hearts stating, “He holds a very special place for the people of Sarajevo and our Bosnian brothers and sisters. During the siege of Sarajevo and its most challenging times, our late ambassador and his wife served here on behalf of our country. Beyond fulfilling a mission, they formed a unique and profound bond with our Bosnian brothers and sisters. Although we lost him last April, we will continue to honor his memory in this building where he served.”

Kayalar also announced that the laboratory, which TİKA will soon open at Sarajevo University, will be named in honor of Şükrü Tufan.

The late Ambassador Şükrü Tufan is recognized as the only ambassador who remained in Sarajevo during the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.