Businesses in RS can only cry on Višković's shoulder, electricity prices will increase

SARAJevo, (Patria) - An agreement on the correction of electricity prices, which was requested by caterers, traders, and hoteliers, was not reached even after the meeting held today with representatives of Elektroprivreda RS, as they did not accept the demands of businesses from these sectors.

Caterers are warning that this will cause enormous problems for workers in this sector.

Crowds in catering establishments in the largest city in RS are good news for businesses in this sector. However, this is only an illusion. 

Padlocks on the doors of catering establishments will be a reality for some employers. The electricity price of 72 euros proposed by "Elektroprivreda RS" is a great New Year's greeting, caterers are ironic.

"I think it will be disastrous for the hospitality and tourism sector. In any case, during the corona period, instead of helping these economic branches, the state is hindering them. We fear that there will be a major blow to the hospitality sector, where many people will be forced to close their catering establishments," says the president of the Association of Caterers of the Republika Srpska, Željko Tatić.

The closure of restaurants and bars will also mean layoffs. 

"And then we will go back to the story of why our young people are leaving Republika Srpska, well, precisely because of this. They lack security, they lack stability, they lack state support, and we fear that there will be a large outflow of hospitality workers from Republika Srpska," Tatić believes.

Businesses in trade, tourism, and hospitality are asking ERS for the electricity price for these sectors to be 45 euros per megawatt-hour. However, ERS did not agree to their demands even after new negotiations.

"This will indirectly affect the entire economy of Republika Srpska and the population because it will inevitably lead to an increase in the prices of services. On the other hand, the economy will be less competitive, we will not be able to increase workers' salaries. Indirectly, we are digging much deeper into citizens' pockets than if there had been a direct increase in electricity prices for the population," points out the president of the Regional Chamber of Commerce Banja Luka, Goran Račić.

If an agreement is still not reached and the proposed electricity price becomes final, caterers announce that they will be forced to adjust prices in their business establishments.

"Unfortunately, it is logical that prices will increase, because we said that if the oil used in preparing some dish has increased by over 200% compared to the beginning of the year, it is quite expected that coffee, that some schnitzel, that some dessert will also increase in price in hospitality," says the president of the Association of Caterers of the Republika Srpska, Željko Tatić.

The increase in electricity prices for businesses will clearly lead to an increase in the prices of almost the entire offer in all catering establishments in Republika Srpska. For some citizens, coffee, sweets, or fast food will become an additional luxury.