Municipalities and Cities Receive 50 Million KM from the FBiH Budget

(Patria) - The Government of the Federation of BiH, upon the proposal of the Federal Ministry of Finance, has adopted a Decision on the distribution of capital transfer funds to other levels of government and funds - cantons and municipalities, as determined by the FBiH Budget for 2024 to this ministry, in the amount of 50,000,000 KM.

The distribution of these funds is determined based on the Decision on establishing the method of distribution and procedure for awarding funds from this year's budget to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Public Call for submitting applications for financing and co-financing of projects, requests, initiatives, and other activities of importance for local self-government units in FBiH.

With this decision, based on the prescribed criteria and upon the proposal of the Commission for awarding funds to municipalities and cities from the FBiH Budget, the amount of 49,995,471 KM is distributed to 68 municipalities and cities in FBiH, for a total of 161 projects intended to address communal and road infrastructure, the construction of educational and sports facilities, as well as cultural facilities, and other facilities of importance for local self-government units.

The beneficiaries of the funds are obliged by the Decision to open a separate transaction account within 15 days to which the funds for financing and co-financing of projects, requests, and initiatives will be transferred, and to inform the Federal Ministry of Finance about this.

Furthermore, the beneficiaries are obliged to submit a report on the expenditure of these funds to the Federal Ministry of Finance no later than December 31, 2025.

The Decision specifies that the Government of the Federation of BiH will conclude individual agreements on the allocation and use of funds with the mayors of municipalities and cities, which will regulate mutual rights and obligations.

The Federal Minister of Finance is authorized to sign agreements on the allocation, conditions, and manner of using funds on behalf of the Government of FBiH. The Federal Ministry of Finance is responsible for the implementation of this decision.

As explained, out of a total of 80 municipalities, 68 met the criteria and submitted complete documentation, 10 did not submit the required documentation or it was not submitted within the given deadline, while two municipalities did not justify the allocated funds from the previous period and thus did not qualify to apply for this public call.

Set of Fiscal Laws

The Deputy Prime Minister of FBiH and Federal Minister of Finance, Toni Kraljević, informed the Government of the Federation of BiH today about the process of drafting the set of fiscal laws and their submission to the Parliament of the Federation of BiH.

It was emphasized that key activities have been undertaken so far in developing a comprehensive fiscal reform in the Federation of BiH. The commitment of the Government of the Federation of BiH is to submit these legal solutions to the regular parliamentary procedure during this calendar summer.

The Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, Nermin Nikšić, and Minister Kraljević informed the Government that the set of fiscal laws includes the most optimal solutions for achieving three goals: improving the standard of living for workers, relieving the burden on entrepreneurs, and maintaining fiscal stability.

The fiscal policy measures of the Government of the Federation are based on the continuation of reform activities in five most significant segments. These are the reduction of labor taxation, as well as the restructuring of tax burdens, then the improvement of public service delivery, combating the informal economy, and continuous improvement of coordination and fiscal responsibility among all levels of government in FBiH.

Furthermore, preserving financial stability, strengthening sustainable, efficient, and stable economic growth, and increasing the competitiveness of the economy were highlighted as important.

The Federal Ministry of Finance is intensively working on a set of legal solutions that will reconcile both parties, employers and employees, while ensuring the uninterrupted payment of guaranteed rights for pensioners and social categories.

Given that these are systemic laws, it was emphasized that it is necessary to open a broader public debate so that everyone has the opportunity to submit amendments and present their proposals. This set of laws should create prerequisites for a new economic and investment cycle that is necessary for all citizens.

After the preliminary drafts of these reform laws are submitted to the parliamentary procedure, all interested parties will be able to participate in the public debate in order to arrive at the best solutions.

Personnel Decisions

The Government of the Federation of BiH has adopted a Decision on the dismissal and temporary appointment of the president and members of the Supervisory Board of social protection institutions of the Federation of BiH. This decision dismisses the temporarily appointed president and members of the Supervisory Board of social protection institutions of the Federation of BiH from their duties.

Furthermore, the president and members of this supervisory board are temporarily appointed until the completion of the tender procedure, and for a maximum of three months, consisting of Šahim Kahrimanović (president), and Miroslav Grubišić, Tomislav Martinović, Amir Softić, and Nikola Papac (members).

Decisions on the dismissal and temporary appointment of the president and members of the Supervisory and Management Boards of the Institute for Medical Assessment of Health Status have also been made. Nihad Omerović is temporarily appointed as president, and Nihad Kukavica and Vlatka Martinović as members of the Supervisory Board of this institute for a period until the completion of the final appointment procedure, and for a maximum of three months.

Damir Husić (president), Maja Bjelan Karičić, Edim Šator, Nikica Bubalo, and Ronald Jarak (members) are temporarily appointed to the Management Board of the Institute for a period until the completion of the final appointment procedure, and for a maximum of three months.

These decisions dismiss the current president and members of the Supervisory and Management Boards of the Institute for Medical Assessment of Health Status from their duties.

The Government of the Federation of BiH has given prior consent for the appointment of acting members of the Supervisory Board of the Development Bank of the Federation of BiH, until the completion of the tender procedure, and for a maximum of three months, namely Zoran Zeljko as acting president, and Mirsada Kadribašić, Admir Softić, Mario Gadžić, Safet Sinanović, Igor Živko, and Muris Junuzović as acting members. Prior to this, prior consent was given to the Assembly of the Development Bank of FBiH for the dismissal of the acting members of the Supervisory Board due to the expiration of their mandate.

Today, a Decision on amending and supplementing the Decision on forming the Anti-Corruption Team of the Government of the Federation of BiH was made, and Jasenko Muharemagić (president), Marica Bulić, Fadil Mandal, Ivana Prvulović, Munib Isaković, Emir Bašić, Amel Topalović, Damir Šapina, and Dijana Smailagić (members) were appointed as members of this team.

The Government of the Federation of BiH has given prior consent to the Supervisory Board of JP Autoceste Federacije BiH d.o.o. Mostar for the adoption of the Decision on appointing members of the Management Board of this company for a period of four years, namely Denis Lasić as director, Kristijan Milas as executive director for economic and financial affairs, Mirko Rogić as executive director for management and maintenance, Asmir Dževlan as executive director for design and construction, and Mirnesa Agić as executive director for general, legal, and personnel affairs.

Prior to this, prior consent was given to the Supervisory Board of JP Autoceste Federacije BiH d.o.o. Mostar for the adoption of the Decision on dismissing the acting members of the Management Board of this company, due to the completion of the tender procedure.

Today, a Decision was also made authorizing the head of the Cantonal Tax Office Tuzla – Assistant Director Admir Omerbašić to organize all tasks within the scope of the Director of the Tax Administration of the Federation of BiH and to sign all acts within the scope of this position, until a director is appointed.

Previously, a Decision on the dismissal of the Director of the Tax Administration of the Federation of BiH due to the expiration of his mandate was made.