Budget Debate: Amidžić claims Ministry of Defence of BiH will have surplus funds

(Patria) - A debate is underway in the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliament on the Draft Law on the Budget of BiH Institutions and International Obligations for 2024, under an urgent procedure. The budget is proposed at the amount of 1.3 billion KM. For it to enter into force, both houses of the BiH Parliament must adopt it.

Minister of Finance and Treasury Srđan Amidžić stated that this is not a development budget but a consumption budget.

He pointed out that his ministry's budget has been reduced by 2 million KM, but that there will be no problems with the ministry's functioning, and that some other institutions could have done the same.

"Regarding the Presidency of BiH, they had one adjustment for the Srebrenica Memorial Center. We have not reduced any item that this budget user listed. For 2024, they did not have capital investments, but we increased it by 100,000 KM. The budget for this year is higher by 40 million KM, thanks to the increased profit of the Central Bank of BiH.

All budget users will have sufficient funds for their functioning. I responsibly claim that there will be surplus funds for the Ministry of Defence. For 2023, 31 million KM remained unspent. And all other institutions will be able to function in the best possible way," said Amidžić.

He emphasized that the new budget also plans an increase for the air conditioning of the BiH institutions' building, and many complained today about the heat in the spaces where they work.

Deputies stated in the debate that the budget adoption is nine months late.

"The Ministry of Finance did not submit the budget to the Council of Ministers in a timely manner, and it to the Presidency. This practice is repeating, and I think it is pointless to have these provisions and the budget calendar, and no one respects them," said Deputy Jasmin Emrić.

Deputy Šemsudin Mehmedović stated that this is an established practice that has been inherited regarding extravagance and un-domestic management.

"We heard here that the budget is being adopted so that we can withdraw EU funds. Those funds are intended for the development of BiH. 12 BiH officials will spend 2 million KM without asking anyone," said Mehmedović, who announced that he will not support the Budget.