Šarović: BiH will respond to Croatia over increased fees for phytosanitary inspection of fruits and vegetables

Bosnia and Herzegovina will react to Croatia's decision to enormously increase the fee for phytosanitary inspection of fruits and vegetables, stated the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Mirko Šarović to journalists in Sarajevo today.

"Croatia has increased the fees from 10-15 euros to 100-150 euros. For us, these are barriers, and we will react in that regard," Šarović said during the presentation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's foreign trade exchange with the world.

He pointed out that consultations are being held with trade and agriculture ministers from CEFTA countries to perhaps issue a joint response to Croatia and warn about something that hinders free trade and is not in line with the Stabilization and Association Agreement that BiH recently signed with the EU.

"BiH's economy needs greater support in every aspect. The results of BiH's foreign trade exchange with the world in the second quarter show that companies and farmers understand each other better than politicians," said Šarović. He added that in the first half of 2017, the trend of growth in foreign trade exchange with the world continued, and added that it is important that the coverage of imports by exports increased by two percent, from last year's 59 to 61 percent, and that the results by the end of the year could be even better.

Šarović stated that BiH has good import coverage by exports with Germany, Italy, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria. With Germany, it amounts to 77 percent. The coverage of exports by imports is best with Slovenia, amounting to 104 percent.