The Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina (VTKBiH) believes that the adoption of the first visa strategy of the European Union, according to which truck drivers will be recognized as a special category, and within which a special regime will be considered that would allow carriers to stay in the Schengen zone for longer than 90 days, without the need for a work or residence permit, is the starting point for the future solution to the long-standing problem of BiH carriers.
– Accordingly, and considering the fact that carriers from the Republic of Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia, after the adoption of this strategy, ended the border blockades, we appeal to BiH carriers to unblock border crossings with the European Union, because the damages recorded by other sectors of the economy are enormous. We repeat the position that we have emphasized several times, VTK BiH, as the house of BiH economy, which represents all sectors, supports the requests of carriers to relieve the business of that sector, but does not support blockades that can cause damage to other branches of the economy, including the transport sector itself. That is why we have repeatedly turned to the Logistics Consortium of BiH with a request to end the blockades – they state from VTK BiH.
According to the latest results of the survey conducted by the Chamber among businessmen, the minimum direct financial losses of BiH companies in case of blockades lasting more than three days are 37.9 million KM, and in the case of blockades lasting seven or more days, 82 million KM. 94 companies answered the survey (38 stated specific financial amounts for both observed periods, 24 stated specific financial amounts for one period, 32 answered only descriptively, without specifying exact financial amounts).
These amounts, as they add from VTKBiH, represent a minimum estimate of direct financial losses, because they do not include: long-term reputational damage, lost customers and markets, penalties without a precise amount, daily and weekly accumulations and investments that have already been suspended. The descriptive answers of the companies clearly indicate that the effects of the blockade of international road transport go beyond direct financial losses and grow into loss of jobs, shut down of production capacities, permanent loss of export potential and violation of the trust of international partners in the BiH economy. Based on the responses received, it is clear that the blockade of international road transport represents a serious threat to the survival of the export sector and the overall stability of the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bearing in mind that these are minimally reported direct losses, the actual economic effects are significantly greater and may have long-term consequences for employment, investments and the competitiveness of the domestic economy.
VTKBiH notes that in the last few years it has tried to point out to the competent BiH institutions the seriousness of the problems faced by carriers by sending numerous initiatives. Among the initiatives in this area, the most numerous and repeatedly repeated initiatives are those related to solving the issue of limited stay of professional drivers in the territory of the European Union, and long delays at border crossings.
Also, the Chamber, through formal initiatives and direct communication, both within the framework of the Chamber Investment Forum of the Western Balkans and in direct communication, has recently addressed the European Commission, as well as on several occasions in the last three years, pointing out the seriousness of the situation, its negative effects on exports and the functioning of supply chains, as well as the need to urgently find a solution that will not endanger economic flows.
– We remain fully committed to continuing, through institutional channels and in cooperation with competent authorities, as well as relevant international partners, to represent the interests of the economy and contribute to finding solutions that will enable the smooth flow of goods, the functioning of supply chains, the preservation of exports and the stability of business operations of companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina – VTKBiH states.
