In the Republika Srpska (RS) entity, the “Socially Responsible” campaign has started, as part of which the prices of certain food items are lower, and as announced, the list of products that are cheaper will be expanded. The campaign was launched by the Ministry of Trade and Tourism of the RS in order to help the population cope with the rising cost of living. The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) announced a similar measure, and the activities have been started in agreement with the representatives of trade chains and the Employers’ Association of FBiH. Earlier, the countries of the region also launched actions to try to fight inflation. We have checked what it is all about and what effects these measures can have on the budgets of the population.
“Inflation in both entities of BiH has been on the decline for the past year. In the first half of this year, the inflation rate was 9.3 percent compared to the first half of 2022. 645 euros, the average salary of BiH citizens, is not enough for even half of the union consumer basket for a family of four. At the beginning of September, the FBiH limited margins to five to eight percent on flour, milk, oil, sugar, eggs, fresh meat, and detergents for laundry and dishes. In the continuation of the campaign, a total of 15 items will be covered by the decision to limit trade margins, which will remain in force until the end of the year,” said Sejla Ibrahimovic.
“In the FBiH Ministry of Trade, they are announcing new measures agreed at a meeting with representatives of employers and trading companies,” adds Sejla.
“It has been preliminarily agreed to launch the “Locked price” campaign, which implies reduced prices for 34 items,” said the FBiH Ministry of Trade.
“This is not an anti-inflationary measure, it will not stop inflation, and this measure should only help those who are most at risk. This is what smart countries do, conditionally speaking, they focus on those who are marginalized on the market within society, within the economy, and try to help them in the best way,” says Admir Cavalic, an economic analyst.
“Observed according to the purpose of consumption, the most significant increase in prices in BiH was recorded in the sections of food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other energy sources. In the countries of the region, the differences in average salaries reach more than 100 percent. The governments of all countries are trying to reduce the consequences of inflation. In Croatia, the fifth anti-inflationary measure is in force. Products such as yogurt, eggs, potatoes, rice, and diapers cost less. In Serbia, the campaign “Better price” is being implemented in more than 2.500 stores. Citizens pay less for milk, pasta, yogurt, coffee, diapers, a total of 36 products. “Stop inflation,” said the government of Montenegro and created an anti-inflation basket. It contains eggs, potatoes, milk, beans, and detergents, and the maximum margin is five percent. In North Macedonia, the prices of about a hundred products have been reduced by 10 percent. That measure will be applied until November 30th. In order to make it easier for the citizens to cope with inflation, the Government of Kosovo distributed benefits and subsidies for different social categories several times during the past year,” Sejla concluded, Radio Slobodna Evropa reports.
E.Dz.
