II would, the meeting was committed by Brankica Pandurević (Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations), and in the EU, heine’s Weit from the European Commission (DG Enest).
The two delegations exchanged information on trade trends and implementing the trade part of the Stabilization and Association Agreement and progress in the realization of the priorities in the areas of free movement of goods, industrial policies, small and medium enterprises, taxes and customs.
Among other things, it was stated that the EU is still the largest trading partner of BiH, making more than 60 percent of the country’s total trade. The Commission pointed out the need to finalize the accession to the World Trade Organization.
The BiH Delegation was informed the European Commission on the activities of the Medicines in certain cantons, the development of a new Law on Excise Duties in accordance with the Acquis and the implementation of additional CEFTA protocols, etc.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is invited to implement the Action Plan of the Joint Regional Market and finalizes the necessary steps for the application of CEFTA Additional Protocol 7 on dispute resolution.
The European Commission emphasizes that Bosnia and Herzegovina should discontinue the discrimination of EU drug producers and adopt rules on determining the lists of basic drugs to ensure transparency and legal clarity in terms of procedures throughout the country. The steps of a certain number of cantons in that direction are welcomed.
In the field of free movement of goods, the Commission pointed out that the Hulsaling quality infrastructure should be adopted with consultations with the European Commission, as soon as possible, and BH. Authorities should adopt new accreditation laws and market surveillance.
Regarding the business environment, the European Commission recommended that BiH would make a comprehensive list of all administrative and technical steps needed for registration and / or operations of domestic and foreign companies throughout the country with the aim of abetting the establishment of a single economic space.
The need for simplification and harmonization of the procedure of business entities in both entities is especially emphasized by centralization of the company’s registration process including the abolition of the dual registration obligation and the introduction of a single-member system and the application of the Online Registration until the fourth quarter of 2025.
The Commission emphasized the importance of establishing fully operational and related e-registers.
Priority in the field of taxation continues to harmonize the regulations on VAT, and in the area of customs, preparations should continue to apply a common transit procedure.
BiH Delegation has informed that the BiH Accession Protocol was initiated to remove tobacco products, and the European Commission would invoke BiH to intensify participate in EU Customs and Fiscalis, as well as the use of TAIEX instruments.
The commerce, industry, customs and taxation is one of the seven subcommittees, common bodies of the EU and BiH, established in accordance with the Stabilization and Association Agreement for the purpose of monitoring its application.
Considers issues related to Chapters 1, 16, 20, 29 and 30 acquis EU.
(Vijesti.ba / Fena)
