The consortium “Logistika BiH” (Logistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina) warned that the survival of one of the country’s key economic sectors, employing more than 47,000 people, is at risk, as no concrete measures have been adopted despite more than 50 meetings over the past 14 months, adding that institutions will be held responsible for any further delays.
Ahead of a protest announced for March 23, the consortium said the system is “trapped in bureaucracy” and that for more than 20 years the same pattern has persisted — delays in reforms and a lack of concrete decisions, despite numerous promises by authorities at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its entities.
The statement said that international road transport drivers are now among the “most expensive and most responsible” professions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that the sector has not received essential support from the chamber system, which is why the consortium’s bodies and members are calling for the introduction of voluntary membership fees to clearly determine who truly represents the economy.
The consortium also stressed that no joint meeting of the entity prime ministers and the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina on transport issues has ever been held, describing this as unacceptable and calling for such a meeting to be urgently organized in Posušje.
The statement further pointed to a lack of tangible results in communication with Croatia, including agreements with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, which are “not visible in practice.”
One of the key issues, the consortium said, is the status of professional drivers in the European Union, noting that after 90 days of stay, despite having all necessary permits, they are subject to restrictions, which they see as both a matter of the right to work and a direct threat to the sector’s survival.
The consortium proposed a package of 14 measures, noting that previous talks have produced no results.
As a priority, it highlighted the introduction of fuel excise refunds in line with European Union practices, as Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only country without such a mechanism, as well as the signing of tax agreements with European Union countries, given that transport costs are up to 22 percent higher.
The measures also include at least a 50 percent discount on highways in Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, reform of the customs system with full implementation of the NCTS without fees, a 75 percent reduction in border waiting times, and the introduction of a “green lane” for at least 50 percent of vehicles, as current delays can reach up to 15 and a half hours.
They also called for 24-hour operation of veterinary, phytosanitary, and sanitary services at border crossings, along with improved coordination with neighboring countries, noting that drivers lose around 206 hours annually — equivalent to one monthly salary.
Additionally, the consortium called for the implementation of international conventions, including the ATA and Istanbul conventions, to allow semi-trailers to be treated as “customs warehouses on wheels” and enable the use of European Union equipment without additional duties.
The consortium also called for the standardization of procedures and the elimination of discretionary decision-making, reform of driver status — including allowing individuals to work from the age of 18 with proper training and expanding category B licenses to 4.25 tons — as well as simplified registration procedures and reduced insurance costs.
The demands also include the abolition of monopolies in the permit system and the introduction of a transparent model, as well as the removal of more than 15 parafiscal charges.
At the same time, they called for the introduction of a legally mandated payment deadline of 35 days, with penalties for delays, as well as defining waiting-time costs in line with European Union standards — €40 per hour and €400 per day.
A special segment relates to the “green agenda,” including subsidies for vehicles, access to European Union funds, and preparation for the introduction of carbon dioxide charges.
The consortium warned that initiatives related to the “import of labour” and special visas as a substitute for domestic drivers are unacceptable, stressing that road transport accounts for more than 90 percent of goods flows and represents a key pillar of the economy.
“This is no longer a sectoral issue, but a matter of the survival of the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The time for promises is over — we demand the urgent implementation of measures,” said the consortium “Logistika BiH.”
