Besima Svraka, the woman who is revolutionising the world of motorsport in Bosnia and Herzegovina, joins WWCOTY
With Besima Svraka’s appointment, the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year initiative now features 76 jurors from 54 countries. 5 July 2024 – The Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) is pleased to announce that Besima Svraka, from FBL magazine, has joined its international jury. WWCOTY is the only car award in the world composed exclusively of women motoring journalists, and with Besima Svraka’s appointment, it now features 76 judges from 54 countries. Besima is breaking new ground in the world of motoring in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Given the limited career opportunities for women motoring journalists in the country, she has dedicated herself to creating a section on cars in her magazine. Last year, she decided to launch a special section, “FBL Drivers – Women Behind the Wheel,” dedicated to women and their passion for cars. She aims to shatter prejudices and stereotypes about women who drive, while also encouraging other women. “We’ve all heard the phrase ‘women behind the wheel,’ but it’s time for a perspective shift.” With faith in the power of change and empowerment, she has chosen to confront biases against women drivers, simultaneously inspiring and encouraging all women aspiring to achieve their dreams related to the world of cars. FBL magazine is a well-established publication that has been prominent in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian lifestyle scene for the past decade. Renowned for its captivating content, it stands as one of the most popular and widely read publications in the country. At the core of our ethos lies a commitment to journalistic integrity, prioritizing accuracy and truthfulness in every article. The team values the art of writing and crafting insightful and thought-provoking articles that delve into various aspects of society. From trend analyses to in-depth features on emerging talents, FBL magazine strives to offer its readers engaging and informative content. About her appointment, Besima Svraka says, “I am excited about the opportunity to be part of this significant team of women.” About Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe automotive scene in Bosnia and Herzegovina is characterized by a strong market for used vehicles, a growing interest in SUVs and electric cars, and a strategic role in regional automotive trade and manufacturing. Economic conditions and cultural preferences significantly shape the market, while infrastructure developments continue to influence vehicle trends and choices. The automotive market in Bosnia and Herzegovina is predominantly driven by the import of used vehicles. New car sales are relatively low compared to other European countries due to the country’s economic conditions and the purchasing power of the population. German brands like Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Škoda are highly popular. This preference is partly due to the perceived reliability and status associated with these brands. Compact and mid-sized cars are common, reflecting both urban and rural needs. While the penetration of electric and hybrid vehicles is still low, there is growing awareness and interest. Infrastructure for electric vehicles, such as charging stations, is slowly developing, mainly in urban areas. Strategically located in the Balkans, Bosnia and Herzegovina serves as a transit point for automotive trade between Western Europe, the Balkans, and the Middle East. The country’s transport and logistics sector plays a crucial role in this regard. The country’s road infrastructure has been improving, with investments in highways and major roads enhancing connectivity. However, some rural areas still face challenges with road quality, impacting vehicle choices and driving conditions. —————— About Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year is the only car awards group in the world comprised exclusively of women motoring journalists. It was created by New Zealand motoring journalist Sandy Myhre in 2009. She is Honorary President while Marta García is Executive President. This unique award aims to recognise the best cars of the year and to give a voice to women in the automotive world. The voting criteria are based on the same principles that guide any driver when choosing a car. The jurors do not select a ‘woman’s car’ because cars are not gender specific. Aspects such as safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving, benefits and environmental footprint, among others, are considered when casting the votes. However, beyond choosing the best cars of the year, our goal is also to give visibility to women in the automotive world and to contribute to making women’s voices heard on all continents because mobility for a woman means access to many personal and professional possibilities. wwcoty.net info@wwcoty.net Supported by