DEBATE ON THE FBiH BUDGET: There are many good things, but there is also room for improvement

SARAJEVO, (Patria) -

The Committee on Agriculture, Water Management, and Forestry sent a position to the FBiH Government a few months ago that the budget for agriculture, water management, and forestry should be 150 million KM. The Committee's position is that we are seeking 150 million instead of the 106 proposed in the Budget Bill, explained Ahmed Džubur, president of the Committee.

Irfan Čengić, a representative of the SDP, stated that he submitted an amendment to the Budget Bill. "My amendment concerns disability benefits; I proposed increasing funds for disability benefits by 41 million KM, a 58 percent increase from July 1st," said Čengić. He added that minimum wages, pensions, and the cost of living have increased, while disability benefits have remained at their 2016 level.

"An increase in disability benefits from July 1, 2022, would require approximately 41 million KM, and the basis for calculation would be 80 percent of the minimum wage in FBiH," Čengić emphasized.

Damir Mašić stated that although the largest budget has been proposed, it does not reflect the true situation.

"We propose an amendment for co-financing institutions of scientific and cultural importance to BiH. We propose an increase of 300 thousand KM, to 1.1 million KM, which was the originally planned amount. We propose that these funds be taken from the code for the implementation of reform processes," said Mašić.

Alma Kratina, head of the DF Club, expressed hope that the FBiH Government would not undermine the work of the representatives by ignoring substantive amendments.

Sanela Klarić from Naša stranka stated that the Prime Minister only praised the budget and did not provide data on imports into FBiH. "Prime Minister Fadil Novalić often acts as a lobbyist for importers. The Prime Minister did not talk about the number of people leaving FBiH, which is important data we need to hear. He spoke about support for pensioners twice, and by supporting farmers, we would also help pensioners because food prices would be lower," she added.

She added that the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina invests the least in agriculture.

"Therefore, I ask you to support my amendment for 200 million in the budget for agriculture," Klarić concluded.

Safer Demirović stated that the Party of Democratic Action submitted three amendments - the first for assistance to humanitarian organizations, assistance to healthcare institutions in TK, and the third amendment for the preservation of the historical complex of the Old Town of Gradačac.

"Energy, agriculture, and inflation were not addressed from the draft to the proposed budget, and the situation is three times worse. I listened carefully to the Prime Minister and heard nothing optimistic about energy. In our surroundings, crisis headquarters have been formed regarding energy supply in the market; we have no mention of this situation. Regarding agriculture in TK, it is estimated that 24 million KM more will be needed for sowing this year compared to last year. This budget of just over 100 million is not enough. Regarding price increases and inflation, we are witnessing that citizens are living increasingly difficult lives, and this budget offers no indication of a solution," added Demirović.

Mirsad Čamdžić from Naša stranka stated that 47 million KM is again planned for the Lašva - Nević Polje expressway. "Funds are being planned again, so I ask when construction will begin and when USK will finally be connected to Sarajevo," asked Muslić.

He added that the provision of funds for the construction of Golubić airport near Bihać is positive.

After Elma Đogić accused the ARBiH of expelling residents from the area of Velika Kladuša, Hamdija Abdić responded, stating that the ARBiH liberated both Velika Kladuša and BiH, and did not expel anyone.

Zijad Mušić stated that there are very good things in the budget, such as the procurement of aircraft for firefighting, vaccine procurement, road construction... "I see that the budget includes 3.5 million for a sports hall and 8 million KM for a swimming pool. Do not color these swimming pools, because Croats will not be the only ones swimming in the Croatian National Theatre. Do not color the funds; Mostar is no longer a case city; we have a mayor and a City Council. There is no Bosniak or Croat side in Mostar; there is only one Mostar. I would disown Mostar if only Bosniak children swam in the pool. Representatives and delegates from Herzegovina have made an amendment totaling 13 million KM and put it all under the same item, so let the legally elected officials in Mostar distribute it. Everyone is happy to have an Olympic-sized swimming pool in their city. Here, we will allocate 13.5 million for capital projects in the city of Mostar, and hopefully, those in Mostar will know what needs to be done. I only ask you not to color it ethnically and not to make Mostar a case city, because it is not a case city but a normal city," emphasized Mušić.

Ahmed Džubur from DF stated that he had two amendments, one concerning agriculture. "We all said that the situation with agriculture is inappropriate, especially after the war in Ukraine. To be fair, when we talked about the budget in 2018, this Government's perception was completely inappropriate. At that time, the Prime Minister did not mention agriculture at all. Now there are 110 million KM for agriculture, 106 plus four for fuel. What about the increases of 300 percent, from 80 to 100 percent? These 110 million KM are currently 45 million KM before the aggression on Ukraine. We have no funds for agricultural development," stated Džubur.

He emphasized that agriculture needs to be stabilized this year, as it is a catastrophic year for agriculture.

"I ask the Prime Minister to accept the position of the Committee on Agriculture. At this moment, we do not have support for poultry producers. Let's get back to reality, Prime Minister; we have gone back 10 years. Let's support agriculture, or production will cease," added Džubur. He mentioned that his second amendment concerns the National Theatre Mostar.

Elzina Pirić from PDA stated that this is an election budget of the ruling coalition. "I propose a conclusion that we be provided with data on where the funds for return were spent last year and where the same funds are planned for this year," Pirić announced.

Amer Obradović, a representative of the Independent Bloc, stated that the budget reminds him of the comic strip Max Magnus, where the king lives lavishly on money collected from citizens, with the help of the finance minister.

"The Prime Minister today speaks of a historic budget, so one should ask whether this refers to some economic reforms and measures or to taxes and collected funds," asked Obradović.

My second amendment relates to rewarding science, specifically people who have made enormous contributions to the country - the robotics team. And an amendment with colleagues Prlić and Pozde, which relates to the national treasure of BiH.

Marijo Mikulić responded to Obradović regarding the Croatian National Theatre, given that he proposed that funds in the budget be transferred to the city of Mostar, and suggested that everything done in the House of Representatives be transferred to local communities.

Suad Kaknjo stated that he finds the attacks on Fadil Novalić tiresome. "I analyzed the first budget of this parliamentary convocation for a long time and see very little assistance to lower levels, and I submit an amendment, and it fails miserably. Then, through rebalances, we allocate 20 or 30 million KM to lower levels. Those who have had the least opportunity to create money and value speak the most about the budget. That is the scene we have today; we talk more about expenditures than revenues. The budget is well-structured, but inflation has overtaken it in the last four months. There is child allowance, consolidation of healthcare institutions, the airport in the heroic Krajina..." stated Kaknjo.

He disagrees with the term "record budget" because inflation has overtaken it. "What seems to me is a lack of vision, courage, and even a good deal of narrow-mindedness," Kaknjo concluded.

He predicted that this budget would reach six billion and would soon be used to fill budget holes.

The debate was adjourned for one hour and will continue after the lunch break.