Due to the stabilization of conditions in the Middle East, there was a drop in oil prices on the world market, as well as on the domestic market. Although fuel prices at gas stations are the lowest since the beginning of the year, citizens do not expect lower food prices, nor lower prices for public services. On the contrary, new price increases are being announced. This time because of the delayed effects of the crisis.
In recent years, practice has shown that when there is a jump in fuel prices, there is almost certainly a chain increase in the prices of all products and services, while fuel reductions rarely lead to lower prices. In general, the raised prices are maintained. This time, fuel is cheaper, and prices will not only not stay at the same level, but new price increases are being announced.
Citizens generally do not approve of the announcement of new price increases.
Consumer protection associations say that there is no basis for new price increases. Economists think similarly.
MURISA MARIĆ, Consumer Protection Association “Don” Prijedor
“We cannot possibly combine two goods. If one energy source is a bit cheaper for us, the prices remain the same. While when the other energy source increases in price, they justify it by saying that they have no more way to lower it because electricity has a large share in production. So here the consumer pays the tax again, regardless of the price reduction we have at gas stations”.
ZORAN PAVLOVIĆ, economic analyst
“The situation is that anyone who wants to will find an explanation in increasing the price of fuel in order to increase the prices of their goods or services. The bottom line is that there is really no basis for that, because we have such a philosophy that if the price needs to be reduced, then it takes time for it to come down, but if it needs to go up, then it goes up overnight.”
Associations for consumer protection believe that the measures adopted by entity governments with the aim of suppressing price growth have not produced adequate results. They believe that a much better effect would be achieved if the social map of the most vulnerable citizens was established.
OSTOJA KREMENOVIĆ, Association “Movement of RS Consumers”
“The absence of a social program of both entities is particularly significant, which implies, first of all, determining the social map of our population, who should be protected and how it should be protected, because there are huge differences”.
Price increases are something that the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina have long been used to, so this new one that is being announced will not surprise them. They would be more surprised by the reverse situation, if something becomes cheaper, he writes BHRT.
