Bevanda: World Bank among Major BIH Partners in Reform Processes

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BIH Vjekoslav Bevanda and Deputy Chairman and Minister of Finance and Treasury of BIH Nikola Špirić talked in Sarajevo with newly appointed Director of the World Bank for Bosnia and Herzegovina Ellen Goldstein on the implementation of on-going projects and on future cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with this international financial institution. 

Chairman Bevanda informed Director Goldstein of the current political and economic developments in BIH. He stressed that the macroeconomic policies implemented by the Council of Ministers produced results in terms of fiscal stability of the BIH Institutions, budgetary discipline and surplus. He added that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s economy shows a tendency of recovery, so that a projected potential growth of industrial production is expected this year to reach the level of 1%.

The meeting expressed a concern with the current slowdown of World Bank projects implementation in BIH. It was stressed that continuing with agreed-to reforms in the Entities would secure the DPL support to Entity budgets.

Deputy Chairman and Minister of Finance and Treasury of BIH Nikola Špirić said that there is a considerable need in BIH for investments in the real sector, as it is the only way forward in efforts to enable a continuous economic growth and generate new jobs. He underlined that the health sector reform is one among domestic priorities, where the World Bank may assist with tis expertise and finances.

Chairman Bevanda thanked to Director Goldstein for the engagement of the World Bank to date, especially on projects aiming improvement of energy efficacy, support to SMEs, and creation of a more favourable business environment for investments.

Chairman Bevanda said that the Word Bank is one among most valuable partners of Bosnia and Herzegovina in its reform processes.

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