Logistics Consortium of Bosnia and Herzegovina Seeks Meeting with Nikšić: We Are the Lifeblood of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Economy, but Responsibility Must Be Shared

(Patria) - Representative of the Logistics Consortium of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Velibor Peulić, has sent a request to Federal Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić for urgent dialogue and the initiation of reform measures in the road transport and logistics sector.

"The Logistics Consortium of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the most organized interest association of carriers in the country, which brings together dominant operators from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina – including a large number from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina – expresses concern over the lack of any response to several letters sent in the past month.

Unfortunately, we continue to witness daily absurdities on the ground. Carriers who possess a state license issued by Bosnia and Herzegovina are being penalized by federal and cantonal inspectors for an alleged lack of a cantonal license, even during transport between Ljubuški and Tuzla. Additionally, inspections issue misdemeanor warrants for failing to keep records of drivers' working hours according to cantonal regulations, ignoring the existence of the state law on the working hours of mobile workers, which clearly defines this area.

Such inconsistency and fragmentation of regulations cause:

• unnecessary costs,
• legal uncertainty,
• slowing down the flow of goods and services.

The situation is unsustainable, and by June 1, we will exhaust all legally prescribed possibilities for institutional dialogue.
If nothing changes, on June 16, we will publicly release a list of institutions and individuals who have ignored calls for dialogue and refused to support a sector that accounts for over 90% of the flow of goods and distribution within the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has invested more than 3 billion euros in Bosnia and Herzegovina and employs more than 47,000 people," the request states.

They further outlined an initiative for fiscal and tax reforms, including 8 concrete proposals as a basis for establishing a working group:

1. Increase daily allowances for drivers
2. Amendment to the Corporate Income Tax Law
3. Possibility of transferring tax relief
4. Introduction of incentives for eco-friendly vehicles
5. Reform of the fiscalization system
6. Recognition of transport as an export service
7. Written tax communication
8. Refund of excise duties on diesel fuel

"We are not just one of the sectors – we are the lifeblood of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's economy. We deserve a working meeting so that you can personally familiarize yourself with the challenges and obstacles that lie precisely within your area of responsibility. It is deplorable that lower-ranking institutions and inspectorates ignore the state level of government, and the operation of customs terminals often depends on the 'goodwill' of federal and cantonal inspections under your jurisdiction. Such a situation creates uncertainty and harm for all businesses. We note that as much as 90% of our revenue comes from abroad – we create logistics services as a new export value. We kindly ask you to urgently schedule a meeting so that we can begin joint work on solving problems that determine: whether Bosnia and Herzegovina will create 15,000 new jobs or whether further emigration of capacities and workers will follow.

We understand that you have been officially absent and have a number of other obligations, but we sincerely ask you to take responsibility together. Our companies want to stay and invest in Bosnia and Herzegovina, not emigrate – because we believe in this country," Peulić states.

The international road transport sector is a pillar of economic stability. Without an urgent response, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina risks losing markets, company closures, and the departure of the workforce.

We propose:
• an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister and relevant ministers,
• the formation of a working group for reforms of the fiscal and legislative framework.