Azra Džigal

Azra Džigal is the Founder and Managing Director of Progress Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in business strategy, investment development, business event management, sustainable tourism, destination development, and non-formal education programmes focused on developing workforce skills for the future labour market.

She brings more than 20 years of international and executive experience in investment development, business strategy, and the implementation of complex development projects across the private sector, international organisations, and public institutions. Throughout her career, she has worked with organisations such as USAID, UNESCO, UNDP, the European Union, JICA, and AECID, as well as with numerous companies and investors on initiatives that promote business growth, sustainability, and economic development.

As Destination Competitiveness Team Leader on the USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina project, she led initiatives in investment facilitation, SME access to finance, and the development of public-private partnerships. She contributed to the implementation of multi-million-euro investment projects, the design of financial instruments for businesses, and the improvement of the business environment through close collaboration with banks, investors, and international partners. She also led the development of strategic policy documents and sector reforms aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the tourism industry.

Earlier in her career, she served as President of the Sarajevo Canton Tourism Board, Advisor to the Federal Minister of Environment and Tourism, Business Development Manager at the international consulting company EPTISA, and Consultant within the ASA Prevent Group, where she worked on business transformation, investment project development, and business process optimisation.

Azra is a frequent speaker and moderator at international conferences on business, investment, innovation, and sustainable development. She further enhanced her expertise through prestigious executive programmes of the Government of Japan (JICA) and the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Through Progress Consulting, she currently supports companies, investors, and public institutions in developing sustainable business models, attracting investments, and delivering competitive development projects.