Speed up procedures for allocating dedicated funds to aid the economy

(Patria) - After the Sarajevo Canton Assembly yesterday adopted the Law on Amendments to the Law on Mitigating Negative Economic Consequences and Savings in the Sarajevo Canton, the Coordination Body for proposing measures for the protection and recovery of the economy, and improving the position of employees and entrepreneurs affected by the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, held a working meeting this morning to launch the procedure for the realization of the remaining financial resources intended for this purpose as soon as possible.

As the Law expanded the framework for co-financing the payment of salaries or part of the minimum net salary to business entities in the Sarajevo Canton for June and July, the Ministry of Economy, in agreement with the Coordination Body, will propose a decision to the Sarajevo Canton Government this week on the criteria for the disbursement of these funds, which would take effect immediately upon its adoption.

Within the next seven days, in accordance with the new decision, a public call for submitting applications to exercise the right to funds planned for the aforementioned purpose will be published, which includes specific financial assistance to entrepreneurs in the Sarajevo Canton.

Business entities are invited to follow the publication of this public call, so that they have enough time to submit their applications, in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

According to the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Mario Nenadić, the coordinator of this Coordination Body, it is necessary to speed up the procedures for allocating these funds, as the end of the budget year is approaching and it is necessary to direct the planned funds to entrepreneurs who meet the criteria of the decision by then, because these funds cannot be deferred or carried over to the new budget year.

As emphasized by the Minister of Finance of the Sarajevo Canton, Jasmin Halebić, it has been shown in the past period that there are some ambiguities and inaccuracies in the criteria for obtaining this financial assistance.

"We have agreed that, in accordance with available funds, where possible, we will correct the existing criteria, in order to arrive at optimal solutions that would facilitate business for entrepreneurs in the conditions of the coronavirus epidemic," added Minister Halebić.