In Sarajevo, a clock tower follows an old timekeeping system in which the day begins at sunset. Its clock therefore shows 12:00 at sunset, marking Maghrib prayer.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and HerzegovinaSouthern Europe-3:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian
National CurrencyBosnian Convertible Mark (BAM)
National Day(s)25 November (Statehood Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalSarajevo
Economic CapitalSarajevo
Cultural CapitalSarajevo
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 5.5 – 6 h
Direct flights
Primary AirportSarajevo International Airport (SJJ)
Primary PortPort of Ploce
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline20 km
Highest PointMaglic (2,386 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverSava River (the longest river in Bosnia and Herzegovina)
ClimateHighland Continental Climate
Border Countries
CroatiaMontenegroSerbia
3Last Updated: June 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
One Bosnian coffee tradition is to bite a sugar cube before sipping the coffee, rather than stirring sugar into the cup.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has a three-member presidency, with the chairmanship rotating among them every eight months.
Divers leap from Mostar’s Old Bridge into the Neretva River, continuing a tradition more than 400 years old.
In Bosnia, burek means meat-filled pastry. Similar pastries with other fillings have different names.
Its Constitution defines a state composed of two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska.
The Krupa River can flow backwards when high water levels in the Neretva River push its water back towards its source.
In Bosnia’s Zmijanje embroidery, blue patterns on clothing indicate a woman’s social status in her village.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national anthem has no official lyrics, so its official version is entirely instrumental.
In Kupres, cutting grass becomes an annual competition, with contestants using traditional handmade scythes.
Lukomir, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s highest village at 1,495 metres, loses road access when heavy winter snow covers the route.
A secret nuclear bunker built for Yugoslav leader Tito near Konjic is now a museum displaying contemporary art.
Last Updated: June 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | Bosnia and HerzegovinaUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Dr. Denis Becirovic
Since November 2022
H.E. Zeljka Cvijanovic
Since November 2022
H.E. Zeljko Komsic
Since November 2018
H.E. Borjana Kristo
Since January 2023
H.E. Elmedin Konakovic
Since January 2023
H.E. Dr. Srdan Amidzic
Since August 2023
H.E. Stasa Kosarac
Since December 2019
H.E. Zukan Helez
Since January 2023
Political Summary
Political System
Parliamentary republic with a collective three-member Presidency
Ruling Party
Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH): Centre-right to Right-wing (leads the coalition)Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD): Centre-left to Left-wingSocial Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SDP BiH): Centre-left to Left-wingPeople and Justice (NiP): Centre-rightOur Party (NS): Centre to Centre-leftBosnian-Herzegovinian Greens (BHZ): Centre to Centre-left
Main Opposition Force(s)
Party of Democratic Action (SDA): Centre-rightSerbian Democratic Party (SDS): Centre-right to Right-wingParty of Democratic Progress (PDP): Centre to Centre-rightDemocratic Front (DF): Centre to Centre-left
Next Presidential Election
Expected in October 2030
Next Legislative Election
October 2030
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
43Organizations
26Member
0Founding Member
5Partner, Observer or Participant
12Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Bosnia and Herzegovina | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations1 Aug 199333 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Ahmed Saif Al ShamsiUAE Consul-General in Bosnia and Herzegovina · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Bojan DokicAmbassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: September 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures2Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates0
FZflydubai2
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bosnia and Herzegovina Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Bosnia and Herzegovina | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Not Signed | - |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Not Signed | - |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 18 Sep 2006.Entered into force on 30 Apr 2007. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 21 May 2010.Entered into force on 22 Jan 2013. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Bosnia and Herzegovina | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of State for International CooperationJul2025
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign TradeMay2023
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign Affairs and International CooperationApr2023
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Elmedin KonakovicMinister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and HerzegovinaMay2025
- H.E. Zeljka CvijanovicMember of the Presidency of Bosnia and HerzegovinaApr2025
- H.E. Zeljka CvijanovicChairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and HerzegovinaFeb2025
- H.E. Zeljka CvijanovicMember of the Presidency of Bosnia and HerzegovinaJan2024
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)-
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)9.4USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Bosnian Companies in the UAE
Euro-AsfaltConstruction and infrastructure
Major UAE Companies in Bosnia
Mubadala Investment Company-
DP World-
- Masdar-
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Joint Business Council(s)-
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research