CoMBIH TAKES DECISION: LIFTED TRESHOLD FOR EXEMPTION FROM CUSTOMS DUTIES
The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina took a decision on amendments and supplements to a Decision on conditions and procedure for exemptions from import/export custom duties, upon a proposal of the Indirect Taxation Administration Steering Board.
According to the adopted amendments, a threshold for exemption from customs duties is lifted from KM 30.000 to KM 45.000, and it refers to passenger cars imported for disabled persons The cash amount from the decision is harmonised once a year with relevant inflation rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina, against official data from the Statistics Agency of BIH on consumer prices index, based on the Indirect Taxation Administration Steering Board’s proposal, on which the Council of Ministers of BIH takes the final decision.
IFAD GRANT FOR INCREASED RESILIANCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
The Council of Ministers of BIH defined the Ministry of Finance and Treasury-tabled Proposal Financial Agreement – USD 9,216,590 Grant for Increased Resilience to Climate Change in Agricultural Sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina – STAZA between Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
From the first grant, USD5,042,187 was allocated to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and USD 4,174,403 to Republika Srpska.
The project is a systemic response to ecologic and economic challenges caused by climate change in rural areas and it covers 71 municipalities in BIH, with a special focus to vulnerable categories and rural development, including strengthening of agriculture adaptive capacities.
The Proposal Financial Agreement with Platform for tis conclusion will be sent to the Bih Presidency for further procedure, with a proposal for the Minister of Finance and Treasury to act as the BIH signatory thereof.
RECONSTRUCTION OF WATER SUPPLY AND SEWAGE INFRASTRUCTURE IN ŽIVINICE
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted an Initiative by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and designated a delegation for negotiations and conclusion of a Laon Contract (Reconstruction of Water Supply and Sewage Infrastructure in the Town of Živinice and its suburbs) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, worth EUR 10 million.
The purpose of the Project is reconstruction of water supply and sewage pipeline infrastructure of the town zone and its outskirts in Živinice, to result in safe drinking water supply, decrease of water loss from the pipeline, replacement of weary water supply and sewage infrastructure, and separation of raw sewage and storm water.
The 10-year term loan with a three-year grace period was allocated to the Federation of Bosnia dan Herzegovina, and the end borrower is het Town of Živinice, while the project implementor is “Živinice Water Supply and Sewage Company”.
The Ministry fo Finance and treasury will, following completed negotiations, send a Draft Loan Contract, in accordance with eh Law on Borrowing, Debt and Guarantees of BIH.
PROPOSAL DECISIONS ON RATIFICATION OF CONVENTIONS
The Council of Ministers if BIH defined the Ministry of Foreign Affaits-proposed decisions on ratification of a Convention on Recognition and Execution of Foreign Judicial Decisions in Civil and Commercial Matters and a Convention on Burau of European Conference of Civil Aviation.
BOSNIA AND HERZGOVINA TO TAKE PART AT 20TH VENETIAN BIENNALE
The Council of Ministers of BIH took a decision on designation of representatives and allocation of resources for the needs of participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 20th Venetian Biennale of Architecture 2027, as proposed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. In accordance with the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports’ proposal, the representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 20th Venetian Biennale of Architecture 2027 will be the University in Mostar – Faculty of Civil Construction, Architecture and Geodesy, and its partner – the University in Sarajevo, Faculty of Architecture for the project titled “Continuity of Coexistence”, with Mladen Kustura as Commissioner and Erdin Salihović as Custodian.
The representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina will get KM 250,000 for the participation of BIH ant the 20th Venetian Biennale.
The participation of BIH at the Venetian Biennale of Architecture contributes strongly to development of international cultural cooperation and promotion of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s architecture at the international expert and cultural scene.
DECISION ADOPTED ON CRITERIA FOR ALLOCATION OF GRANT FUNDS
The Council of Ministers of BIH took the Ministry of Civil Affairs-proposed Decision on Criteria for Allocation of “Programmes for Project Preparation and Potential Candidate Projects Preparation for 2026-2028 Horizon Europa and Support to Inventorship” current grant funds.
The funds will be allocated in line with criteria set forth under the decisions by way of public ad published at the Ministry of Civil Affairs web site and in three daily papers circulated throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The right to submit projects, based on the published open ad, is to registered scientific-research institutions (high education institutions, institutes, academies of art and science, innovation centres, technology parks), non-profit organisations and other natural and legal persons involved into research operations, spreading and using scientific-research results through application and participation in Horizon Europa, Cost and Eureka Programmes, in addition to registered federations and associations of inventors, school sections and technical culture organisations, and innovators – natural persons, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina with registered domicile in BIH.
It is about funds worth total KM 561,000, secured by the Law on Budget of BIH Institutions and International Obligations of BIH with item “Current Transfers and Grants” for 2026, while funds for 2027 and 2028 will be secured for each year severally in relevant budgets.
ANALYSIS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE OF BIH WITH THE WORLD
The Council of Ministers adopted the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic relations-tabled Analysis of Foreign Trade Exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina in I-VI 2026.
The total goods exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first half of 026 was KM 24.41 billion, of which export reached KM 8.84 billion and import was KM 15.58 billion, resulting in foreign trade deficit of KM 6.74 billion. The coverage of import by export was 56.72 per cent, 0.71 less than in 2025.
Compared with the first half last year, a growth of total foreign trade exchange was 5.61 per cent, in which the import increased for 6.09 per cent, and export for 4.78 per cent, while the foreign trade deficit increased for 7.58 per cent.
The European Union is still the most important foreign trade partner of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The export to the EU countries was KM 6.81 billion in I-VO 026, or more for 9.26 per cent compared to the same period last year. The import from the Eu countries was KM 9.14 billion, sa increased for 6.87 per cent.
One among major challenges in future will be strengthening of competitiveness of domestic production and an increase of export.
QUARTERLY PIECE OF INFORAMTION ON MIGRATIONS IN BIH ADOPTED
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted in a new text a piece of information on a migrations situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first quarter of 2026, where the border management remains the key area for development of BIH migration policy.
Over the reported time, 4,569 temporary stays were approved in BIH or 23 per cent more than last year; business was the most often reason.
The number of migrants reported to the Foreigners’ Affairs Service in Q I 2026 was 3,468 as increased for 66 per cent relevant toe het same time previous year (2,085).
The Border Police of BIH evidenced 1,193 individuals in illegal border crossing or an attempted one, which is 76 per cent more than in the same time last year. The detected individuals came mostly from Egypt (136), Afghanistan (115), Pakistan (113), Bangladesh (68), and Türkiye (63).
From January to March 2026, 925 individuals at average were accommodated in accommodation centres, in 2025 they were 581.
IMPLEMENTATION OF MULTI-ANNUAL PROJECTS IN ISNTITUTIONS OF BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury on implementation of multi-annual projects in Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, conclusive with Dec 31,2025.
According to the piece of information, the total value of multi-annual projects in implementation was KM 565.97 million, including completed multi-annual projects till Dec. 31, 2025, which were valued at KM 213.28 million.
The resources available as at Jan.1, 2026 were KM 246.74 million, of which budget funds were Km 227,85 million.
Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina are obliged to report implementation of multi-annual projects annually to the Council of Ministers, and in case the planned dynamics was not followed, they should produce a detailed explanation for delay in implementation with a proposal activity for the acceleration of implementation thereof.
The institutions are obliged to provide a piece of information on multi-annual projects completed in the reported time scope by Dec. 31, 2026, at latest to the Council of Ministers if BIH.
COMPREHENSIVE 1996-2024 ANALYSIS OF DEMINING PROCESS
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a Comprehensive 1996-2024 Analysis of Demining Process and urged all-level authorities to budget resources for demining actions.
The analyses shows that Bosnia dan Herzegovina has been facing serious challenges as to humanitarian demining for years. Although certain capacities have been secured through the Armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (demining battalion), Entity civil protection administrations, and own budget resources, they are still considerably below the required level, considering the volume of the mine decontamination. The situation was aggrieved by a decrease of international donor support, especially after 2012, though BIH is still very depended on foreign financing.
The necessary steps for problem-solving are are incr4ease and stabilisation of domestic sources of financing, improvement of legislation and institutional framework, and setting-up effective monitoring and operations quality check system.
By its set of adopted conclusions, the Council od Ministers urged the Mine Action Centre in BIH to increase efficacy and accelerate demining of cultivated land, including improvement of digital transformation process (BHIMSMA CORE) and of annual planning methodology, and to increase implementation of annual plans.
CHECK ON GRECO RECOMMENDATIONS
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Security-tabled piece of information as to implementation of GRECO recommendations in the fifth cycle of evaluation, to be provided to the SGRECO Secretariat.
The piece of information conforms realisation of certain breakthroughs in recommendations implementation, and it forms a basis on which GRECO will evaluate harmonisation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with its recommendation, in November 2026.
In November 2024, GRECO adopted a report in harmonisation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with GRECO recommendations in the fifth cycle of evaluation, when it was concluded that BIH implemented two out of 25 recommendations from the previous report, 15 was partially implemented and eight were not implemented.
GRECO recommendations focus on corruption prevention and improvement of integrity of central authorities, including the highest executive functions and state-level law implementation agencies.
INCERASED NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN PRESCHOOL INSTITUTIONS
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a piece of information on implementation of the Framework Law on Preschool Education in Bosnia dan Herzegovina for 2025, to be sent by the Ministry of Civil Affairs to responsible Entity bodies and institutions of the Brčko District of BIH, as well as to the Agency for preschool, Primary and Secondary Education.
The piece fo information suggests that despite evident progress in previous years, there is still a need for capacity building and availability in this area. Insufficient coverage fo children by preschool programmes is evident especially in rural areas and socio-economic less developed aeras.
According to the Agency for Preschool, Primary and Secondary Education, in 2025/2026 there have been operating548 preschool institutions attended by 38,246 children, more for 5.4 per cent relevant to the year before.
Out of total number of children covered by preschool education, 56.9 per cent attended public institutions, while 34.1 per cent have been covered by private institutions programmes. Simultaneously, 9,964 children waited for a place in preschool institutions.
A programme for children before staring school in pedagogical 2025/2026 was attended by 13,538, of which 9,389 children attended simultaneously a preschool institution, while 4,140 were included exclusively in preparatory programme for school.
According to the piece of information, the process of harmonisation of legislative and strategic framework in preschool education in Bosnia and Herzegovina has not been fully completed and there is uneven approach among education authorities, which suggests at a need for strengthening coordination and relevant regulations harmonisation.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL OLIVE COUNCIL BOOSTS COMPETITTIVENESS OF BIH OIL GROWERS
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-tabled piece of information on membership in the International Olive Council (IOC) and on 2015 International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives.
Bosnia and Herzegovina became a full member of the OIC in 2024, thus accepting obligations stemming from 2015 International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, which includes harmonisation of national legislation with international standards of quality and trade.
Participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in IOC creates institutional presumptions for strengthening of competitiveness of domestic producers in olive growing sector, improvement of product quality, increased export and harmonisation with European standards, which contributes to development of agriculture and rural areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The olive growing in BIH marks a continued growth in recent years and it represents one of the most perspective agricultural production branches, mostly present in Herzegovina. According to the Federal Agro- Mediterranean Institute, there were about 147,000 olive trees in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025 on 650 ha, in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina about 142,000 trees on 630-640 ha, and in Republika Srpska about 5,000 trees on 18-20 ha.
In recent year, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s olive growing has made considerable international affirmation, and producers from Herzegovina win the highest awards at prestigious world competitions for quality of extra virgin olive oils. These results confirm that despite small production capacities relative to traditional mediterranean producers, Bosnia and Herzegovina disposes of extremely good potentials for production of top-quality olive oil of high added value.
BIH FRAMEWORK ENERGY STRATEGY 2025 IMPLEMENTATION REPORT
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations-tabled 2025 Implementation Report on 2035 Framework Energy Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The report contains pieces fo information on situation and activities referring to general energy indices for Bosnia and Herzegovina, including electro-energy and gas sectors, obligations implementation from the Contract on Energy Community, development and harmonisation regulatory-institutional framework, access to EU/WBIF funds (Western Balkans Investment Framework), dan continuation of activities in implementation of 2035 Framework Energy Strategy of BIH.
According to the report, generation of electric power from renewable sources in Bosnia and Herzegovina was 6,597.62 GWh last year, or 53.5 per cent of total consumption of electric energy, which is above the average of the European Union members, which was 47.5 per cent in 2024.
The total consumption of electric energy in 2025 was 12.330 GWh and was increased for 199 GWh or 1.6 per cent relative to the year before. The export of electric energy increased in 2025, when 5,137 GWh was exported or 13.5 more than in 2024, while the import of electric energy was 2.819 GWh and was increased for 39 per cent relative to the previous time.
IMPLEMTNATION OF STRATEGY FOR COMBATING ORGANISED CRIME IN BIH
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted an Implementation Report on Strategy for Fight against Organised Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2025, which presents progress achieved in the Strategy and its action plans implementation, nd proposal measures for overcoming challenges and spotted risks.
The report indicates that within four strategic aims, 17 measures and 51 activities were planned, of which 29 activities (56.86%) were fully implemented, 22 (43.14 %) activities were implemented partially, and there are no activities which implementation has not started yet.
Most of activities, 15 of total 17 planned, were fully implemented within the strategic aim of promotion of cooperation and partnership within fight against organised crime, and the remaining two are in the implementation phase.
Alo. Total six out of eight planned activities were fully implemented, and the two are in the implementation phase within the aim referring to the organised crime prevention.
Out of total planned 19 activities within the strategic aim referring to detection and criminal prosecution of organised criminal groups, six were fully and 13 partially implemented.
Within a strategic aim of society an economy protection from organised crime, our of seven activities two were fully and five partially implemented.
The Wok Group for development fo the Strategy for Fight against Organised crime in BIH should submit the next report by the end May 2027.
The Ministry of Security will require, on behalf of the Council of Ministers of BIH, intensification of the remaining activities on implementation of 2023-2026 Strategy for Fight against Organised Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED BORDER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY ACTION PLAN
The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted the Ministry of Security-tabled Report on implementation of an Action Plan for implementation of 2025 Integrated Border Management Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The report covers review of activities taken in border checks, border surveillance, suppression of cross-border crime, international protection and action toward vulnerable categories, risk analysis and international cooperation.
The Chair of the Coordination body for monitoring of implementation of strategic and operative aims set forth by the Strategy and Action Plan should provide the Report to all institutions/agencies included into the process.
REGULATION ON OFFICAL VEHICLES PROCUREMENT
The Council of Ministers of BIH granted its consent to a Proposal Regulation on conditions of procurement and use of official vehicles for special purposes in the State Investigations and Protection Agency (SIPA).
The regulation sets forth kind, number and procurement price of official vehicles for special purposes in SIPA, especially way and conditions of procurement and use of these vehicles, record keeping and reporting, maintenance, furnishing and marking, as well as sales.
The Regulation covers 180 vehicles for specialised purposes, classified in four categories of procurement value from KM 35,000 to KM 250,000. (end)
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