Košarac: Green priority lanes system to facilitate product transport from April 13

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Staša Košarac stated that on Monday, April 13, the green priority lanes system will be launched in the Western Balkans region, thanks to which vital products from a common list will have facilitated transport at defined border crossings between CEFTA countries.

Košarac confirmed that this information was officially announced by the CEFTA Secretariat last night.

"Green lanes are open for all goods on the common list of vital products. Border crossings in the green corridor system will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for customs and other border services," said Košarac.

He recalled that at the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic, he requested 24-hour operation of veterinary inspectors from the Veterinary Office of BiH, which is part of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, to perform their duties in a timely manner and ensure the unimpeded transit of animal products.

"As far as our side is concerned, veterinary inspectors are fully prepared to take over this task from Monday," added Košarac.

To further ensure the rapid flow of essential products, CEFTA parties have, at the proposal of the CEFTA Secretariat, adopted a list of vital products that will have facilitated transport at defined border crossings between CEFTA countries.

"The CEFTA list includes the most important products – food for humans and animal feed, while for medical products, protective equipment, and other products necessary in the current situation, the list of the World Customs Organization has been adopted. Depending on the needs of CEFTA parties, this list can be changed and supplemented," he explained.

As he pointed out, the upgraded electronic data exchange system (SEED) will be used for pre-notification for products on the list of vital products. "The SEED system will electronically send data to customs and other border services."

He adds that the launch of the green priority lanes system is extremely significant, emphasizing that BiH is ready to adapt to the new conditions at full capacity.

On the other hand, Košarac also says that in the first few days, certain difficulties can be expected from some CEFTA member states in terms of adapting to the new conditions. However, he believes that the difficulties will be overcome within the next ten days.

"Since it is realistic to expect that not everyone will submit their contacts by Monday, the system will also work for those crossings, but only customs at their terminal will receive pre-notification, so it is possible that coordination with inspections for priority passage will be weaker for a day or two," said Košarac, the Ministry announced.

Since each CEFTA party has its own transit information system, and SEED takes data from these systems, it is expected that errors will occur in the first days of implementation, in the sense that pre-notification for priority trucks in transit will not be registered at some crossings.

"They will then be directed to regular lanes, even though they have the right to priority passage," concluded Košarac. with a priority lane,'' stated Minister Košarac.