Nenadić spoke with Kavalec: In addition to planned measures, budget rebalancing will follow to help the economy

(Patria) - Sarajevo Canton Prime Minister Mario Nenadić and the Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH Kathleen Kavalec held an online meeting today to discuss the activities of the Government and the OSCE in the current situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Prime Minister informed Ambassador Kavalec about the current epidemiological situation in the Canton, as well as other activities in the field of healthcare being carried out for the prevention and containment of the spread of the infectious disease COVID-19. He emphasized that the Canton of Sarajevo has secured sufficient capacities for isolation facilities and improved conditions for laboratory testing, which is also visible on the ground.

He also informed the Ambassador about the continuous procurement of protective medical equipment, which is transparent, efficient, and contributes to budget savings, and is achieved through successful cooperation with UNDP. According to the Prime Minister, the Canton's activities are aimed at strengthening the capacities of all three levels of healthcare, primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Online classes in the CS were also a topic of discussion. According to the Prime Minister, this school year will most likely end without an external exam as the prerequisites for carrying out the activities preceding it have not been met.

Discussions also covered activities carried out by the Government and the KS Office for Combating Corruption and Quality Management to ensure the transparency of processes, especially public procurement, then the migrant population and their status. The Prime Minister pointed out that continuous activities to remove migrants from the streets and provide them with accommodation have been underway for 20 days, for whom, in the current epidemiological situation, the same movement restrictions apply as for the local population. 

MUP units are ensuring the maintenance of law and order for this population as well, while activities with IOM continue with the aim of improving their situation. The Prime Minister stated that consideration is being given to starting certain activities and businesses in the coming days to revive the economy.

A set of short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures to help the economy is being prepared, in cooperation with relevant institutions, municipalities, and employer associations.

“We are still awaiting solutions from the FBiH, which are in preparation, information on the support that the European Union will provide to BiH is being compiled, as well as notification of how much funds from the IMF will be allocated to our Canton. The results of payments to donor accounts are being summed up. All these resources will be used to revive the economy. The Government has also established a fund, and a budget rebalancing is planned in order to redirect funds allocated for projects to assist the economy and its recovery,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

It was also highlighted during the conversation that it is necessary to continue the good cooperation between the Canton and the OSCE Mission in BiH in the segments of justice and administration, combating corruption, education, healthcare, as well as the protection of vulnerable categories of citizens and other persons located on the territory of BiH.