Hoyt Yee and Berton meet with Novalić: Discussed excise taxes, reforms, telecoms

Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Fadil Novalić met today at the headquarters of the Federal Government in Sarajevo with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States of America Brian Hoyt Yee.

Novalić informed Yee about the implementation of measures from the Reform Agenda, which are constantly in the focus of the FBiH Government's activities. Given that, according to the federal prime minister, economic growth and an increase in employment are the result of reforms implemented so far, the Federal Government will strive to implement the remaining measures from the Agenda by the end of its mandate. Priorities for future action include the adoption of reform and social laws, and support for economic development programs.

Amendments to the Law on Excise Taxes were also discussed. Prime Minister Novalić, speaking about this law, emphasized that it is one of the main sources of financing for major infrastructure projects. It was mutually stated that the adoption of this law would stimulate further economic progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In addition to economic growth, Prime Minister Novalić stressed that the Federal Government will continue to focus on the fight against corruption and organized crime.   

The interlocutors also discussed the due diligence analysis of the situation in BH Telecom and HT Eronet. This analysis would assess the real value of these companies and determine the directions they should follow in their future operations.

Novalić also met today with the Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH, Bruce Berton.

As the federal prime minister stated, reform processes have unfortunately slowed down due to conflicts of interest. Therefore, the Government of the FBiH has focused on ten priorities important for the continuation of reforms. Among them are laws in the areas of contributions, income, and health. They are also joined by two laws from the veterans' area: on the register of veterans and on the representativeness of veterans' associations.

Infrastructure projects are also important, such as the construction of thermal power plants, highways on Corridor 5c, and roads in the Federation of BiH.

Among the ten priorities is the creation of conditions for the full implementation of the Law on Combating Corruption and Organized Crime.

The Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH offered the FBiH Government every kind of assistance to realize the tasks from the Reform Agenda as soon as possible and, in doing so, achieve better conditions for the citizens of FBiH and BiH and accelerate our country's path towards European integration.