Sarajevo Canton Prime Minister Nihad Uk said that the Cantonal Ministry of Finance prepares a “blood picture” of the canton’s financial situation every month, and that the situation is challenging, especially when it comes to payments to suppliers and other obligations.
”We are trying to ensure that legal obligations, such as salaries, international obligations and social benefits, are met on time, as our citizens are accustomed to,” Uk told Fena.
He recalled that they expected this situation, given the amendments to the Law on the Distribution of Public Revenue from 2022, which deprived Sarajevo Canton of 350 million BAM in the past three years.
“This is a situation that is strictly controlled and for which we were prepared. It is not easy to replace 350 million BAM, but we are doing everything to alleviate this serious problem,” said the Prime Minister.
He added that the Cantonal Government adopted a series of measures at its last session with the aim of better filling the budget and reducing expenditures, including savings measures and reducing procurement, and called on budget users to be patient.
“This is a decision in the interest of all of us in Cantonal Government and citizens, in order to compensate for the large deficit that resulted from the reduction in the weight,” Uk emphasized.
When asked about the payment of the allowance, the Prime Minister said that it would be paid during this year.
“Extra-budgetary users, including healthcare workers financed by the Health Insurance Institute, have already been paid the allowance. Also, users whose rights are legally regulated, such as prosecutors and courts, will be paid the allowance by June 30, in accordance with the law. For other budget users, the Government is currently finding funds to pay the allowance during the current year,” he said.
Speaking about next year, Uk said that the situation with the weight will be more favorable if the coefficient does not continue to fall from 1.3.
“The decision to abolish the weighting is a vengeful decision towards the Sarajevo Canton, made with the aim of slowing down its growth. But we will do everything so that citizens do not feel it,” concluded Prime Minister Uk.
