Kozarić and Robinson held a meeting: CBBH is a success story

Governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBBH) Kemal Kozarić received today in an inaugural visit the First Deputy High Representative and Supervisor for Brčko District, Ambassador David M. Robinson, who expressed full support of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) for the work of the CBBH, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

In a conversation with Governor Kozarić, Ambassador Robinson stated that the CBBH is more than a Dayton institution and the supreme authority of monetary policy in BiH – the Central Bank is a success story of BiH!

Expressing OHR's support for the Central Bank, Ambassador Robinson particularly highlighted the fact that the success of the CBBH is, among other things, a result of its political independence and autonomy.

- Continuous respect for the independence and autonomy of the Central Bank, as a protective mechanism for its effective and efficient functioning, and thus for the monetary and financial stability of the state itself, must remain the basis of the relationship towards this institution - emphasized Ambassador Robinson.

Governor Kozarić thanked for the support of the international community to the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has been unquestionable and extremely significant over the years. During the conversation, the Governor pointed out that the banking sector is stable, well-capitalized, and that the biggest problem at the moment is non-performing loans (NPL), which amount to 15.47% of total loans.

 

In the coming period, it is possible to expect a significant deterioration in the quality of the loan portfolio in the sectors of agriculture, transport, and communications, given that these sectors suffered significant damage due to the natural disasters that hit BiH in 2014.

 

Governor Kozarić pointed out that a slight GDP growth is expected in the coming year, and expressed hope that the newly elected government in BiH will be committed to Euro-Atlantic integration, economic issues, job creation, and creating a better environment for domestic and foreign investors.