SDA Club Initiative: Baščaršija, as a key tourist attraction, should be exempt from the Sunday trading ban

(Patria) - The Club of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) today submitted an initiative to the Municipal Council of Stari Grad Sarajevo that Baščaršija be exempt from the application of the provisions of the Law on Internal Trade which prohibit shops from working on Sundays.

"Baščaršija, as the heart of Sarajevo and the epicenter of the cultural and historical heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina, represents a key tourist attraction that attracts a large number of domestic and foreign visitors throughout the year.

Its functioning on Sundays has multiple significance:

1. Support for tourism - Baščaršija is an unavoidable part of the tourist offer of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A ban on Sunday work would negatively affect tourists who often visit Sarajevo during the weekend;

2. Economic contribution - allowing shops in Baščaršija to work on Sundays contributes to strengthening the local economy, supports small entrepreneurs, and ensures business stability;

3. Special significance of Baščaršija - as a symbol of Bosnian-Herzegovinian identity, Baščaršija has a unique role that requires a special approach when adopting legal provisions that could affect its functioning.

Bearing in mind the above, we believe that exempting Baščaršija from the Sunday trading ban would be justified and in line with the interests of tourism development and preservation of its authentic spirit.

We request that councilors express their views on this initiative at the upcoming session of the Municipal Council.

We ask the competent institutions to consider this initiative and propose amendments to the Law on Internal Trade that would allow the exemption of Baščaršija from the Sunday trading ban," stated the SDA Club in the explanation of their initiative.