BiH Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Stasa Kosarac talked today in Sarajevo with representatives of the Republika Srpska Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and the RS Chamber of Commerce about the need to introduce a temporary ban on exports of roundwood, firewood and pellets.
It was jointly stated at the meeting that it is necessary to adopt a decision banning the export of roundwood, firewood and pellets as soon as possible, especially bearing in mind the fact that the enormous increase in energy prices is a huge problem for citizens.
“The data are alarming and not at all encouraging. In the first five months of 2022, pellet exports increased by 78 percent, and the price increased by 155 percent compared to the same period last year. In the same period, the export of oak roundwood increased by 4.5 times, and the price increased by 400 percent. Compared to the first five months of last year, in the same period this year we are recording an increase in the export of firewood, and the price has risen by 22 percent,” warned Minister Kosarac.
Disable the challenge
Therefore, as he stated, it is necessary and priority to disable the export of roundwood, firewood and pellets without conditioning the previously signed contracts.
“Our assessment is that the temporary decision to ban exports should be limited to 90 days, with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH performing analyzes and regularly reporting to the Council of Ministers of BiH,” said Minister Kosarac.
According to him, the purpose of introducing protective measures is to protect domestic production and help the wood processing industry in RS and the Federation of BiH, which has been facing the problem of lack of raw materials on the market for years.
“The issue of the temporary ban on the export of roundwood, firewood and pellets should be integrally observed and a single decision adopted,” said Minister.
He assessed that it is illogical to exclude the export of roundwood from the decision, since it is necessary to provide sufficient quantities of raw materials for domestic producers and wood processors.
“Otherwise, we are threatened by the scenario that our citizens spend the winter under blankets, and at the same time our citizens pellet the citizens of Italy and other countries. I will not support such an outcome, because we must primarily take into account the interests of our population,” Kosarac emphasized.
He reminded that the countries in the region have already adopted similar measures, and stated that there is no justifiable reason for the BiH Council of Ministers not to act in the same way.
Today’s meeting was attended by RS Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Goran Zubic and RS Chamber of Commerce President Pero Coric.
Minister Kosarac announced that during this week he will discuss the introduction of a temporary ban on the export of roundwood, firewood and pellets with representatives of the Government of the Federation of BiH and other competent bodies, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH announced.
