The Premier of the FBiH Nermin Nikšić, and the Federal Minister of Finance Ante Krajina met today in Sarajevo with the First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF Nemat Shafik and the residential representative of this financial institution in BiH Ruben Atoyan.
At the center of the discussion were questions regarding the stand-by arrangement of BiH with the IMF. Shafik praised its implementation, especially since the budget for FBiH was adopted on time this year.
“It is crucial to continue in this direction. However, it is important to structure the budget so that more resources are allocated for investment”, she said.
Premier Nikšić and Minister Krajina pointed to the fact that within the framework of the internal budget of 2.2 million KM, out of 800 million KM are for the repayment of external and interal debts, and with high statutory duties, not much can be set aside for investments.
Therefore, they explained that the FBiH seeks to create preconditions that will make possible a freer and stronger private sector development.
”We already succeeded in removing 70 percent of the barriers to investment that has, through the ”White Book”, led the Council of Foreign Investors , and we continue to address the remaining issues», added the Federal Premier.
Nikšić spoke of the need to implement reforms of the pension sector, of which the FBiH is aware of the challenges, but is ready to find a solution that will not go beyond the limits set by the budget.
This, in particular, relies on a system that is more favorable to retirement.
Shaif and Atoyan learned today about this year’s planned activities in infrastructure.
Before everything else, the continuation of the construction of the highway on Corridor 5-C, and the construction of the new thermal power plant ”Tuzla”.
Both of these projects will make possible, directly and indirectly, jobs for several thousand workers.
”The desire is that from the beginning of the mandate the FBiH in this session, ending in 2013, reaches 1.3 billion KM in investments for Corridor 5-C”, said Nikšić.
