Our country is one of the few European countries that have high fees for electric vehicles, despite all the benefits they bring. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has drafted a proposal for a decision on the temporary suspension and reduction of customs rates on imports of new electric and hybrid cars until December 31st, 2022.
Multiple benefits
The purpose of this decision, as the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Stasa Kosarac told, is to reduce the customs rate on imports of newly produced cars that do not have the preferential status of goods from countries with which BiH has concluded free trade agreements from 15 to 5 percent for hybrid vehicles and from 5 to 0 percent tariff rate on electric cars.
”The application of a more favorable customs rate would stimulate the import of this type of car, from which BiH would have multiple benefits, both from the aspect of reducing air pollution and environmental protection and from the aspect of raising traffic safety,” noted Kosarac.
President of the Norwegian-Bosnian Chamber Ahmed Lindov stated that the tax affects the import of electric cars.
”The only reason why Norway has the highest percentage of electric cars in its fleet is that the government has abolished all duties. BiH is a much better country for these vehicles than, for example, Norway, because in BiH there are short distances, and geographical conditions are ideal. There is always talk of an unbuilt infrastructure of faster charging stations. There should be a charging station, but they are not the basis,” Lindov pointed out.
No payment
He stressed that the state must do something about the issue.
”BiH should strive towards that. It will lose tens of millions of taxes but will receive many more European green grants. We need to imitate the West a little bit in order to catch that train called modern society,” mentioned Lindov.
One opinion is missing
”The opinions of the competent institutions were requested before submitting the proposed decision to the further procedure. Most of the opinions on the draft decision have been submitted and they are positive, however, we are still waiting for the answer of one of the competent institutions and we hope that it will be submitted as soon as possible,” told Kosarac, Avaz writes.
E.Dz.
