Council of Ministers Holds Its 81st Session

BHCoM: TO CLOSE 121 COLELCTIVE AND ALTERNATICE ACCOMODATION CENTRES BY YEAR 2017 The Council of Ministers of BIH defined a Proposal Framework Loan Agreement between the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and Bosnia and Herzegovina for financing of a project of closing down 121, out of total 160, collective centres and alternative accommodation facilities by year 2017. 

Project beneficiaries are 7,200 individuals in 2,600 households, living in collective centres and using alternative accommodation, internally displaced persons, returnees and other socially vulnerable groups. The planned undertaking includes development of at least 2,600 housing units in 82 buildings to be reconstructed, built or bought.

The project total cost is EUR 104 million, out of which the CEB loan is EUR 80 million, BIH share is EUR 9.2 million (State level  budgetary funds), and the remaining of finances are material contributions in kind, the CEB grants worth ER 1,3 million, and other sources.

The Fund for Return under the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees is expected to lead the project, to be completed by mid-2017.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury will provide the Proposal Contract with Basics for its conclusion to the Presidency of BIH, and Minister Nikola Špirić is proposed for the BIH signatory.

 

DECISION ON STAND-BY ARRANGMENT SIXTH TRANCHE DRAWDOWN

 

The Council of Ministers of BH took a decision on drawdown of the sixth tranche under the IV Stand-by Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund, and authorised the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to issue a promissory note for an amount of KM 95,446,776.71.

Two thirds of the amount is allocated to the Federation of BIH, and one third to Republika Srpska; the debt will be serviced by the Entities in accordance with applicable legal regulations.

This sixth tranche is of the same level as the one before, which attests that the BIH authorities have fulfilled earlier assumed reform commitments agreed with IMF representatives.

 

BH CoM ADOPTS DECISIONS

 

Upon a proposal of the Ministry of Communications and Transport, the Council of Ministers took a decision on a levy for use of radiofrequency spectrum in Bosnia and Herzegovina, determining a mandatory levy payment by the radiofrequency spectrum users, thus removing uncertainties over the implementation of the decision currently in application.

The adopted decision provides that all institutions - among them public health car intuitions, non-profit organisations for protection of monuments and cultural heritage in BIH and non-profit radio-diffusion stations - are released from levy payment for the reason of supporting their efforts in high quality service provision to citizens.

Also, the levy for temporary use of radiofrequency spectrum is cancelled for public scientific-research institutions for the purpose of their more intensive inclusion into electronic communications development relevant projects.

 

Upon a proposal of the Ministry of Security, the Council of Ministers took a decision on multi-year capital investment for “construction of a building for asylum-seekers – asylum seekers centre under the Ministry of Security- in Delijaši”, of total value of KM 5.022.305.

The project, launched in 2006, is funded through IPA in amount of KM 2.933.745,00 and  Ministry and Security’s budget resources in amount of Km 2,088,560.00.

 

Upon a proposal of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Council of Ministers took a decision on the level of monetary part of the State Award for Sports in Bosnia and Herzegovina and on according of notes of thanks for year 2013.

Under the decision, the amount of the first award for sports will be KM 10,000.00, second and third award will amount to KM 5,000, and fourth and fifth ranked winner will get notes of thanks.

 

 

LOAN FOR MODERNISATION OF POWER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

 

The Council of Ministers defined a Proposal Finance Contract between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, European Investment Bank and Power Utility of Republika Srpska – Power Distribution Division in BIH, with basics for its conclusion.

The project includes maintenance, modernisation and extension of power distribution network in Republika Srpska , to be financed by the Euroepan Investment Bank EUR 25 million loan of 25 year term and five year grace period.

The Ministry of Finance and Treasury will provide the Proposal Contract with its Basics to the Presidency of BIH for further procedure, and Minister Nikola Špirić is proposed for the BIH signatory.

 

CROSS-SECTOR WORK GROUP FORMED

 

The Council of Ministers of BIH set-up a Work Group, comprised of representatives of all Ministries, which should by the next Council of Ministers session and in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, agree on proposal regulation on procurement and use of official cars in the BIH Institutions, on use of official phones, and on use of entertainment resources, in order to regulate the area in a systematic way.

 

BIHCoM ON EUROPEAN INTEGRATIONS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFORM

 

The Council of Ministers adopted Information of the Directorate for European Integrations on progress in the implementation of the IPA Component II: Cross-Border Cooperation in 2013 Programme.

It was said that Bosnia and Herzegovina participates in six programmes of IPA Component II: Cross-Border Cooperation in 2013, including bilateral cooperation with Serbia, Croatia, Monte Negro, IPA Adriatic programme of Cross-Border cooperation and two Transnational Programmes (SEE and Mediterranean). Total 181 projects were approved, and a number of them were completed in the time period between 2007 and 2013.

 

The Council of Ministers adopted Information of the Public Administration Reform Coordinator’s Office on a project titled “Establishment and/or Fostering of Institution(s)   Capacities for Regulations Control and Establishment of Administrative Obstacles Reduction System” and granted its support to the project to be financed under the Public Administration Reform Fund in amount of KM 1.58 million.

The aim of the project is to capacitate the State, Entity and Brčko District institutions for preparation of laws aimed to prevent unnecessary burdens to business community and the society in a whole.

 

The Council of Ministers adopted Information of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations on a project tasks under IPA 2012 titled “Establishment of State Aid System” and agreed to the project implementation.

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