Entrepreneurs demand compensation from the FBiH Government for company taxes

Entrepreneurs from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina have formed a Crisis Staff that will actively participate in adopting measures aimed at mitigating the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in the world. The Crisis Staff has requested an urgent meeting with the Government of the Federation of BiH, where the entrepreneurs' proposals will be presented, which includes entrepreneurs actively participating in the existing Crisis Staff of the FBiH, as well as a future crisis staff that employers demand be formed at the state level.

"Our primary goal is to preserve the health of our employees, and immediately after that, jobs. Therefore, we will do everything to prevent layoffs, but entrepreneurs cannot do it alone, and we expect help from the authorities. We demand the establishment of a Compensation Fund at the FBiH level from budget funds, funds from the World Bank, the IMF, etc. The Compensation Fund should provide funds for the payment of both direct and indirect taxes.

We also ask the FBiH Government to impose a moratorium on loan payments and obligations to employees from companies, and for this part of the obligations to be covered by the Compensation Fund. We also demand a moratorium for banks on the collection of loan installments from both companies and employees. We ask the Ministry of Transport and Communications of BiH to ensure unimpeded goods transport through regular communication with the competent institutions of other countries," said the president of the Employers' Association of FBiH, Adnan Smailbegović.

Entrepreneurs have demanded that the consequences of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic be borne equally by companies from the public and real sectors.

- What is necessary for the implementation of these proposals is the declaration of a state of emergency, as all elements for making such a decision exist. In addition to the state of emergency enabling the implementation of the proposed conclusions, companies would be able to protect their interests in contracts, in the sense that they do not have to pay penalties for non-fulfillment of obligations, precisely because of the emergency situation - emphasized the president of the FBiH Chamber of Commerce, Mirsad Jašarspahić.

It was highlighted that companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been feeling the consequences of the pandemic for a longer period, from the cancellation of tourist arrangements, problems with the supply of goods and raw materials, and the situation culminated in the last 15 days with the escalation of the pandemic in the region and Europe.

"Crisis staffs must function, and employers must be an integral part of the Crisis Staff," said the president of the Metal and Electrical Industry Group at the FBiH Chamber of Commerce, Kasim Kotorić.

BH companies have problems with the realization of agreed contracts related to the export of products because Serbia has completely closed its borders, while Croatia is expected to do the same in the next day or two. The tourism and hospitality sector is particularly affected, as the percentage of hotel arrangement cancellations is above 90 percent. The realization of previously announced and agreed projects is being canceled.