Minister Šarović with UNDP Resident Representative: Accelerate Changes and Progress

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina are being implemented in numerous areas, but their full implementation must and can be much faster, it was stated at today's meeting between the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Mirko Šarović and the UNDP Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Steliana Nechita.

The meeting highlighted that two directions are important for Bosnia and Herzegovina - European integration and the fulfillment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, but that complete progress must be significantly accelerated.

“Currently, we have ten quality reform laws ready in the Ministry, which, although prepared in detail, have been waiting for adoption for a long time simply due to the inability to reach a consensus among all government structures. This hinders us, and unfortunately, many surrounding countries are overtaking us because of it,” stated Minister Šarović.

The UNDP Resident Representative also stated that this organization will work further to accelerate initiated activities and expand areas of work. One of the most significant UNDP projects in our country currently is the “Green Economic Development” project, which aims to create a self-sustaining energy efficiency system while achieving financial savings, reinvesting saved funds, and employing local labor, which contributes to market development and increased economic progress.

Emphasizing that this project is multi-beneficial, Minister Šarović stressed that the average energy consumption in public buildings in BiH is three times higher than the European Union average.

Minister Šarović expressed readiness for further work and cooperation with the UNDP, expressing gratitude for the commitment that this mission continuously shows towards BiH, through numerous projects in the sectors of economy, agriculture, energy, water resources, tourism, and environmental protection.