Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 2nd Session

LAST YEAR SAW GROWTH OF EXPORT AND IMPORT, AND OF DEFICIT, AS WELL 

The Council of Ministers of BIH, at tis second session held in Sarajevo today, adopted an Analysis of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations on Foreign Trade Exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2014, which indicates the total volume of foreign trade exchange of KM 24.88 billion, which is for KM 1.33 billion or 5.66% higher than in year before.

Last year, imported goods reached the value of KM 16.20 billion, which is 6.78 % more than a year before, while the total export increased for 3.62 % and it amounted KM 8.68 billion.  Trade deficit in 2014 was KM 7.52 billion, 10.69 % more than the year before.

The European Union is still our major foreign trade partner and in total volume of exchange of goods it participates with 63.55 %, and is followed by “CEFTA 2006” countries, with share of 12.95 %, while 23.51 % accounts for other counties in total foreign exchange.

Among main individual trade partners, major coverage of import by export is made with Austria with the coverage of 142.04 %, Slovenia with 91.42 %, Italy with 72.43 %, Germany with 70.47%, Croatia with 51.58%, Serbia with 49.14 %, and Turkey with 40.27 %.

Major exports were made to the following countries: Germany, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Austria, Slovenia, Montenegro, Turkey, Hungary, and Switzerland. Export to these countries accounts for 75.97 % in total BIH export. Simultaneously, major import was made from Germany, Croatia, Italy, Serbia, China Russia, Slovenia, Turkey, Austria, and the USA, in share of 74.31% of total BIH import.

He Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations will keep reporting the Council of Ministers quarterly on BIH foreign exchange, in order to allow for timely action and measure taking to facilitate positive trends in this area.

 

LICENCE ISSUANCE DEADLINE PROLONGED

 

Upon a proposal of the Minister of Communications and Transport, the Council of Ministers of BIH considered an issue of application of Regulation on Conditions for Issuance of Licences and Qualification Cards for Drivers.

In regard to that, a deadline for completion of the procedure for issuance of licences by the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BIH, defined under previous conclusion of the Council of Ministers (April 15, 2014) shall be prolonged until October 15, 2015.

 

PROTOCOL ON BASIN OF SAVA RIVER FOR PROMOTION OF REGIONAL COOPERATION

 

Upon a proposal of the Ministry of Foreign trade and Economic Relations, the Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Protocol on Silt Management to the Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin, which improved regional cooperation in the area.

Under the Protocol, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia will define joint cooperation procedures concerning sustainable silt management for the protection of water and silt regime in the Sava River basin and for establishment and improvement of navigation and maintenance of navigable waterways of the Sava River and its tributaries. The four countries will develop a joint silt management plan in the Sava River basin.

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations will provide the Proposal Protocol, together with a report on negotiations for further procedure to the BIH Presidency, and Minister of Foreign trade and Economic Relations Mirko Šarović was proposed for the BIH signatory.

 

TO CONTINUE ACTIVITIES WITHIN CEFTA SUB-COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE

 

The Council of Ministers considered and adopted Information of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BIH on activities within CEFTA Sub-Committee for Agriculture, including sanitary and phytosanitary issues (SPS) in year 2014.

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations is tasked to continue cooperation with the BIH members of the SPS Work Group in planning, implementation and coordination activities as defined under the CEFTA Sub-Committee for Agriculture annual plan, including sanitary and phytosanitary issues.

 

TEMPORARY AUTHORISATION FOR EXECUTION OF MANDATE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFORM COORDINATOR

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH authorised Nedžib Delić to perform all administrative and financial tasks of the Public Administration Reform Coordinator under the Office of Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to enable the institution to operate smoothly and fulfil its legal obligations until the completion of procedure of appointment of Public Administration Reform Coordinator.

The temporary authorisation is issued for the reason of move of the previous Coordinator Semiha Borovac to a ministerial post and due to the vacant Deputy Coordinator position.