The event was the occasion to kick-off the new cycle of the SME Policy Index for the Western Balkans and Türkiye in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to establish a structured framework for collaboration over the next 18 months. It provided a platform to build broad-based stakeholder buy-in and mobilise institutional support—key prerequisites for the timely and high-quality completion of the assessment questionnaires, which form the key pillar of the OECD’s evidence-based analysis.
By bringing together a diverse range of institutions from across state and entity-level administrations, the meeting elevated the visibility of the SME Policy Index and underscored its relevance. Stakeholders had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the updated SME Policy Index methodology and the main novelties of the 2026 edition as well as gain clarity on their role in the process and offer valuable feedback. This exchange laid the groundwork for smooth inter-institutional co-ordination and high-quality data collection in the months ahead.
The strong engagement of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s authorities highlighted the strategic importance of the SME Policy Index as both a benchmarking tool and a lever for reform. It reaffirmed the OECD’s role as a trusted partner in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession path, anchoring future collaboration and setting the tone for a rigorous, policy-relevant, and impactful assessment.