Novalić reassured citizens: We guarantee we have the potential to overcome this crisis

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH Fadil Novalić said tonight as a guest on FTV that health is a priority, but that significant work is also being done on the economic segment and that citizens should not be alarmed.

"Health is a priority and until we resolve this segment, or until the number of infected people starts to decrease, it must remain at the focus of our reality. But we have also started working on the economic effects. A problem like this is appearing for the first time in the world. We understand the concerns of our citizens," Novalić pointed out.

The Prime Minister said that healthcare institutions will receive financial and all other assistance. As for economic measures, banks have today introduced a moratorium on loan payments for the next three months for individuals and legal entities.

"We guarantee citizens that we have the potential to overcome this crisis. We started with measures on Monday. The focus is on healthcare, but the economic segment is also there," he said.

"We have resolved the issue of lump-sum taxpayers. The formation of two funds is progressing quickly, one with as much as 500 million KM, which should stabilize the situation in society. This provides security for the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund, interest payments, and support for all bureaus that might face the need to support all people who might lose their jobs. The IMF, the World Bank, and the EBRD have also announced their support..." he added.

Novalić says that the FBiH can borrow without problems because it has a good standing with international partners.

"The second is a guarantee fund that can secure around 400 million KM with the Development Bank of FBiH. Plus, there are banks with 100-200 million, which makes it a billion KM. And all this is in line with the market. Funds will be available to companies that do not lay off workers," he emphasized.

He told citizens not to worry and that the FBiH has enough resources to overcome the crisis, that there are significant commodity reserves, and that all public companies are providing great support, such as Elektroprivreda, Telecom, etc.