Experts warn: Local administration in BiH must wake up and help the country's economy

Poor or incomplete legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the biggest obstacle for investors. An additional problem is the bulky yet sluggish administration, starting from local communities to the highest levels of government in the country. Because of this, BiH is among the poorest countries in Europe, although its economic potential is enormous.

Economic expert from the Zenica Development Agency, Naidin Ahmetspahić, says that new investors are attracted to the country solely by a favorable business environment. Without that, there are no new investments. Because of this, BiH will sooner or later have to tackle its problems of inefficient administration if it wants to improve the standard of living for its citizens.

- No one has the right to be an obstacle to creating a new job, even if it is just one new job in the country - says Ahmetspahić.

- If local communities in BiH become attractive to investors, we will have new projects and new jobs, and thus positive energy that will attract even more investments, tourists, and make cities more beautiful - says Ahmetspahić.

The recipe for better efficiency of local administration in Bosnia and Herzegovina has already been applied by some local governments, such as Tešanj, Kakanj, or Visoko. They attracted new investments solely through better conditions for investors compared to other areas in the country. This is now reflected in their local budgets, as well as in the satisfaction of citizens.

In BiH, businessmen are often on one side and the administration on the other. Ahmetspahić says this must change. Businessmen and the administration, he warns, must play on the same team, writes Patria.