Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Holds Its 41st Session

BIH ECONOMIC REFORMS PROGRAMME ADOTPED 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a BIH Economic Reforms Programme 2016-2018, to be submitted to the European Commission in Brussels on January 31, 2016 by the Directorate for Economic Planning, and it would be one among important steps in the continuation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s process of integrations into the European Union.

The Economic reforms Programme includes priority structural reforms of Bosnia and Herzegovina (prepared by the BIH Institutions) and structural reforms of the Federation of BIH and Republika Srpska.

Both State and Entity  level authorities will undertake a series of measured, in accordance with the Economic Reforms Programme, in more than 25 priority reform areas in order to start-up recovery and modernisation of economy, strengthening of sustainable economic growth and job creation.

 

MID-TERM CoM’S WORK PROGRAMME ACTION PLAN ADOPTED

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a Mid-term Work Programme Action Plan of the Council of Ministers of BIH 2016.-2018, with a breakdown of laws and by-laws add development-investment programmes/projects, as a constituent part of the Mid-Term Work Programme, adopted early this year by the Council of Ministers of BIH.

The Action Plan contains measures and regulations to be adopted and implemented within three year-time deadlines by 57 BIH Institutions, which report to the Council of Ministers of BIH, and with an aim to secure macroeconomic stability, increase of industrial competitiveness, securing accelerate and provide for more effective agricultural development and balanced regional development, with increased possibilities for employment, poverty reduction and social inclusion, in addition to development of environmental infrastructure and energy potentials, and increase of energy efficacy.

 

IMPORT DECREASED FOR 5.1 PER CENT LAST NOVEMBER

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH took note of Information of the Directorate for Economic Planning on macroeconomic trends for January-November 2015, which indicates a growth of BIH economy relative to the year before.

Information suggests that the economic activities in the Q3 last year were increased for 3.1 per cent, with industrial output increase for 2.1 per cent, relative to the year before, with main growth driver being the processing industry, which made 4.8 per cent growth.

Employment in October 2015 increased for 1.6 per cent, compared to the same period 2014, and total number of employed persons was 717.3k. Simultaneously, the total number of unemployed persons last November was decreased for 1.9 per cent compared to the same period the year before. The average salary in October 2015 was KM 826, and is less for 1 per cent in relation to the same month in previous year, while average pension benefit amounted KM 357.

Foreign trade deficit was decreased for 10 per cent in November 2015. Bosnia and Herzegovina exported in January-November 2015 goods worth KM 8.2 billion, which is 3.5 per cent more than the year before. In the reported 11 months 2015, total BIH import of goods was KM 14.5 billion and is decreased for 1.9 per cent compared with the same period the year before, while November 2015 saw decreased import for 5.1 per cent in comparison to November 2014.

 

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT ANNOUNCES FOR NEXT SESSION NEW LAW ON RADIO-TV SYSTEM OF BIH

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH did not reflect on a Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Radio-TV System of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BH announced to table at the next session a new Draft Law on Public Radio-TV System of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

BIH AND QATAR TO PROMOTE YOUTH COOPERATION

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Memorandum of Understanding on youth matters between the Council of Ministers of BIH and Government of the State of Qatar, which promoted cooperation between Youth Institutions and Centres of the two states.

Simultaneously promoted will be the exchange of information, study and research activities among young people, their mutual visits and arranging of joint youth workshops of the two countries. A joint committee will be formed for the Memorandum implementation, which will develop a cooperation concept.

The Proposal Basics will be provided to the BIH Presidency for further procedure, and the Minister of Civil Affairs was proposed as the BIH signatory.

 

USD EIGHT MILLION FOR CAPITAL PROJECT IN STARI GRAD MUNICIPALITY OF SARAJEVO

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH accepted an Initiative of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and designated a negotiating delegation for conclusion of a Loan Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Saudi Fund for Development, for financing of capital project in the Municipality of Stari Grad (Old CIty), worth USD 8,062,000.00.

By realisation of the project the citizens of the Stari Grad Municipality will get a multifunctional gym in the “Edhem Mulabdić ”Elementary School, pedestrian-vehicle communication at Barščaršija square will be reconstructed, and a public underground garage with multifunctional public square will be constructed. A part of funds will be used for heating of the Municipality of Stari Grad premises, which would decrease heating and air conditioning costs for the building. The loan was allocated to the Federation of BIH; it is with term of 15 year, five year grace period and 2 per cent annual interest rate.

 

MINISTER ŠAROVIĆ AS CHAIRMAN OF 16 + 1 BUSINESS FORUM ORGANISATION BOARD

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH appointed Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic relations Mirko Šarović for Chairman of the Organisation Board for preparation and organisation of the 16+1 Business Forum (China and Central and Eastern European countries).

The Business Forum should take place in end April this year in Bosnia and Herzegovina, aiming better economic connection of BIH and counties of the region with the PR China.

By holding of the Forum, an agreement between Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BIH dr Denis Zvizdić and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang from the last year’s Suzhou IV Summit of 16+1 Initiative will be realised.

 

TO ENABLE EFFICIENT AND COST EFECTIVE ELECTRONIC SERVICE PROVISION

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted an Operative Plan for setting-up a framework of interoperability at the level of the Council of Ministers Institutions. Adopted was also Information of the Public Administration Reform Coordinator’s Office on implementation of the Council of Ministers’ conclusion concerning development of an Action Plan for introduction of e-administration.

The realisation of the Operative Plan will also include project implementation, worth KM 2.1 million, and the aim of these would be to enable quick , efficient and cost effective practice in electronic service provision and elevating the level of availability of electronic services through available communication channels.

 

ROMA EDUCATION REPORT ADOTPED

 

The Council of Ministers of HIH adopted a Report of the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees on implementation of a Revised Action Plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Education Needs of Roma Population in Academic year 2014/2015, with the accompanying conclusions.

According to the Repot, 2,051 Roma were included in the regular primary education in the academic 2014/2015, of which 1,144 male and 907 female pupils. In the reported period, 243 Roma children completed their primary schooling, 127 abandoned obligatory primary education, while 61 Roma repeated their grades. Special (education) Institutions included 22 Roma children of which 14 boys and eight girls. Total 108 Roam children were enrolled to secondary schools. Free of charge extraordinary exam-taking in the primary education system was secured for three Roma children and 27 adults.

For the sake of continued education of the teaching staff, parents and other children on awareness raising on human rights and rights of child, total 339 teachers, 3,069 children and 937 parents were educated, while 24 teaching staff attended though NGOs projects. The continued education of teaching staff , parents and all children on stereotypes and discrimination in education against Roma population was held in eight schools, and 40 education programmes were completed, which included 156 teachers, 1,519 children and 433 parents.

For the inclusion of Roma children in pre-schooling activities in 2014/3015, funds in amount of KM 404,343.00 were secured.

 

REPORT ADOPTED AND STEERING BOARD FORMED FOR MONITORING GENER ACTION PLAN

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH adopted a report of the Gender Equality Agency, prepared by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees on realisation of Gender Action Plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2014 with the accompanying conclusions.

The Gender Action Plan activities will be focused to three strategic aims, namely, development, implementation and monitoring of programmatic measures for improvement of gender equality in government institutions, development and strengthening of a mechanisms and tools system for improvement of gender equality, as well as establishment and fostering of cooperation and partnerships.

Upon a proposal of the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, i.e. BIH Gender Equality Agency, the Council of Ministers took a decision to establish a Governing Board for Coordination and Monitoring of the Gender Action Plan (GAP) of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2013-2017.

Appointed was Samra Filipović-Hadžiabdić, BIH Gender Equality Agency President, for Chair of the Governing Board and Board members will be Director of the Gender Centre - Centre for Gender Equality and Equity Mirjana Lukač and Director of the Gender Centre of the Federation of BIH Ana Vukotić.

The Governing Board will, among other things, coordinate and monitor implementation of Gender Action Plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2013-2017.

 

BIH AT “FLOWERS FOR CHILDREN” INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION EXPO ANTALYA 2016

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH considered and adopted information of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BH on International Exhibition “Flowers for Children” EXPO Antalya 2016, to be held from April 23 to October 230, 2016, in Antalya, Republic of Turkey.

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations will, in cooperation with the Foreign Trade Chamber of BIH, form a team/coordination board for preparation of a detailed plan of presentation of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the EXPO Antalya 2016, with a budget projection for the needs of engagement of technical assistance in the country, support to organiser, possible donor and sponsor contribution, deadlines and list of interested participants.

 

DEPUTY MANAGER OF THE REGUALTORY AGENCY FOR RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY APPOINTED

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH appointed, as per an opinion of the Civil Service Agency of BIH, Zoran Tešanović for Deputy Manager of the State regulatory Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the best candidate following the completed job vacancy procedure.