SARAJEVO, March 5 (FENA) – Prime Minister of the Federation of BIH, Fadil Novalić, met today with Head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission to BiH Martin Patri.
They discussed current economic situation, reform priorities, especially on fiscal laws, but also health, economy and the need to stabilize through improving conditions for attracting investments, as well as best practices of the future cooperation.
FBiH Prime Minister said that relations with the IMF so far have been beneficial both technically and financially.
“It is important to have joint program or arrangement with the IMF, because we have better chances internationally. The message of IMF presence here is that the condition is more stable. We do not know the form yet, but there is no doubt that we need and want the presence of the IMF in BiH,” said Prime Minister Novalić.
Martin Petri pointed out that, overall, the economic situation is quite good, but there are certain fiscal spaces and it would be important to use them properly. He stressed the importance of stimulating public investment, and when it came to health, it would be good to devise measures that would lead to consolidation of this sector.
"We will try to be as helpful as possible," Petri said.
He also said that it is very important to adopt new laws on income tax and contributions as soon as possible.
IMF assistance in the technical sense would also benefit the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the areas of regulating para-fiscal levies and the allocation of public revenues in the future. Petri said it is an area where the IMF could certainly help.
Novalić clarified that priorities for the future are clearly defined through the Socio-Economic Reforms in BiH for the period 2019-2022, consisting of health, economic growth, public enterprises and youth issues.
(FENA) A. B.