Hasičević confirmed: We are continuing the 'price lock' action, we understood the boycott message

(Patria) - A meeting was held today in the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with representatives of the Employers' Association from the trade and food industry sectors.

Minister of Trade Amir Hasičević said that through dialogue they tried to find solutions.

“One of the adopted conclusions is that we will continue our 'price lock' action. We will announce details by Friday, which items will be included, what prices, and which model we will use to implement it,” said Hasičević.

One of the representatives from the trade sector, Nihad Imširović, said that recently there has been a narrative of excessive profiteering and high margins.

“The most important agreement today concerns the creation of a new social responsibility project. Traders and producers have shown their readiness, and it is unquestionable,” said Imširović.

Minister Hasičević said that the purchase boycott was a message from the population, citizens, and consumers to launch an action, and we understood it.

"One of the reasons we sat down today is that boycott, and we wanted to show that we heard that voice," said Hasičević.

Speaking about the Law on Internal Trade, which prescribes a non-working Sunday, the minister said there is no significant drop in turnover in any municipality that can be linked to that non-working Sunday.

"Just as we passed that law, we will discuss it in the future, as well as the fate of this infamous Article 18," said Hasičević.

He said that no one intended to lock current prices, but rather to first reach a compromise, lower prices, and then lock them.

He confirmed that controls have been tightened, but in three basic domains: undeclared workers, failure to issue fiscal receipts, and lack of work permits.

"We will strive to suppress the gray market as much as possible in order to enable fair traders better competition and a better market. If we are already talking about a boycott, the real boycott is against those who engage in the gray economy, who do not issue fiscal receipts," Hasičević emphasized.

Imširović said that price increases come from global trends.