Bevanda: Very Positive Effects of DPL 1Projects

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BIH Vjekoslav Bevanda and Deputy Minister of Finance and Treasury of BIH Edita Đapo met in Sarajevo today with the World Bank DPL Mission, led by leading World Bank economist Abebe Adugna. 

Chairman Bevnada pointed at the World Bank contribution made thus far in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially concerning the mitigation of global economic crisis effects and in terms of the agreed to Stand-By Arrangements. He assessed the effects of DPL 1 Projects as very positive, realised through legislation and finance, public spending and social transfers reforms.

The Word Bank representatives informed Chairman Bevanda about the Mission, the purpose of which is to make an inquiry into possible policy and institutional reforms to be supported within the DPL (Development Policy Loan).

Mr Adugna said that the World Bank team discussed a proposed set of measures with Entity teams - to receive supported under a new DPL Programme - and related time framework expected to be obeyed by the authorities.  He said the Federation expressed tis interest for a new DPL programme to be implemented through the Pension-Disability Insurance Reform Strategy, while Republika Srpska would use it for its Health Insurance System Reform, in addition to both entities’ interest for improvement of business environment.

The World Bank representatives raised their concern over a set of pension reforms in the Federation of BIH, emphasising that only Strategy development would not suffice for receiving the DPL assistance. Chairman Bevanda said that their concern is founded, and proposed a discussion on the topic at the next BIH Fiscal Council meeting, so as to avoid hampering the arrangement with the World Bank.

The meeting was attended by Anabel Abreu Head of World Bank Office in BIH.

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