EU4Trade

EU4Trade Projekat je počeo u septembru 2020. godine, implementira ga EPRD iz Poljske u konzorcijumu sa British Standards Institution (BSI) iz Francuske.

EU4Trade projekat, kojeg finansira Evropska unija, ima za cilj poboljšati međunarodnu konkurentnost i jačati kapacitete BiH kako bi se unaprijedio regulatorni i proceduralni okvir za trgovinu robom i uslugama. Sveukupni cilj projekta je povećati obim međunarodne i regionalne trgovine Bosne i Hercegovine, što uključuje poboljšanje ukupne konkurentnosti u vanjskoj trgovini BiH.

projekat

fokusiran je na izgradnju kapaciteta BiH za unapređenje regulatornog i proceduralnog okvira za trgovinu robom i uslugama, a u skladu sa regionalnim i međunarodnim inicijativama. Projekat pruža podršku partnerima Ministarstvu vanjske trgovine i ekonomskih odnosa i Upravi za indirektno oporezivanje. Projekat će podržati izgradnju i jačanje kapaciteta vlada na svim nivoima i privatnog sektora, tako što će omogućiti prenošenje znanja o različitim trgovinskim pitanjima, kao što su trgovina uslugama, carinska politika i trgovinska analitika.

EU4Trade Final Conference is taking place right now at the Hotel Hills Sarajevo.
25/10/2023

EU4Trade Final Conference is taking place right now at the Hotel Hills Sarajevo.

The EU4Trade project funded by the European Union is organizing a roundtable “Services in the economy of Bosnia and Herz...
24/10/2023

The EU4Trade project funded by the European Union is organizing a roundtable “Services in the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, which will be held on 25 October 2023 in Hotel Hills, Sarajevo.
The purpose of meeting is to provide government institutions and business community representatives updated information on the role of the service sector in general and international trade in services in particular in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to present the state of-play of building the Common Regional Market in the digital services sector including BiH preparedness for e-commerce, and to have discussions on the regulation of services in BiH.

𝑷𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑺 𝑹𝑬𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑬 𝑨𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒊𝑯 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑬𝑼 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔BiH Indirec...
18/10/2023

𝑷𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑺 𝑹𝑬𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑺𝑬
𝑨𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒊𝑯 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑬𝑼 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔

BiH Indirect Taxation Authority awarded today the first Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Certificate in Bosnia and Herzegovina to company NELT, which represents an important step towards improving trade efficiency in the country. The AEO programme fosters partnerships between customs authorities and the private sector to ensure simplified customs procedures, greater trade security, and increased competitiveness.
The European Union plays a pivotal role in advancing Bosnia and Herzegovina's trade and customs capabilities aiming to streamline customs processes, bolster international trade and harmonize it with the EU standards.

“Today we celebrate not only the first Authorized Economic Operator certificate award but also the collaborative spirit between the European Union, Indirect Taxation Authority and BiH business community. The EU continuously supports BiH in improving international trade security and its alignment with EU standards which will help companies reduce time and costs in international trade and strengthen their reliability as business partners. The EU financial assistance and expertize provided to BiH in trade sector has direct contribution to the implementation of the reform agenda for trade and competitiveness in CEFTA in line with the requirements of the EU approximation process”, said Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to BiH Stefano Ellero.

The AEO programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina was initiated in August 2022 aiming to simplify customs procedures for businesses. Besides benefits in domestic trade, the programme aims for mutual recognition of certificates within the CEFTA region, allowing authorized economic operators to enjoy simplified customs procedures throughout the region. BiH Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA) plans to apply for mutual recognition of AEO certificates soon, following the example of other countries in CEFTA region such as Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania, that have already taken this significant step.

Mr. Vladimir Dragičević, Indirect Taxation Authority Deputy Director stated that the company that receives a certificate from the ITA that it is an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) means that it has established business processes and standards that imply a greater degree of trust with the customs authority, which will, on the one hand, affect the easier, faster and simpler implementation of customs procedures in BiH, but also with customs authorities of other countries at the moment when agreements on mutual recognition of AEO certificates are signed.

The EU co - funded regional project ‘"Support to Regional Economic Integration", implemented by GIZ plays a crucial role in supporting the AEO programme in the region. The assistance of the project, implemented on behalf European Union and German Government has led to a significant increase in the number of companies obtaining AEO status, growing from just eight AEO certificates issued in 2017 to over 200 certificates by 2023.

Mr. Goran Cerovina, CEO, Nelt stated that by acquiring the AEO status, NELT got the opportunity to complete the customs simplifications they use - domestic import customs clearance, authorized consignee status and customs warehousing. “This status means a lot to us. The ITA recognized us as a partner and a company that is reliable, socially responsible and has a system that ensures the safety, security and correctness of shipments, which satisfies all the principles on which AEO is based. We are extremely glad to keep up with other Nelt Group members who already have AEO status”, he emphasized.

"The AEO programme is a testament to the commitment of Bosnia and Herzegovina in fostering a business-friendly environment. This is actually one of the most advanced trade facilitation initiatives, which aims to simplify trade operations by minimizing delivery times and costs for merchants who meet certain criteria. The implementation of the AEO programme is also recognized as one of the priorities of CEFTA members in the perspective of EU rapprochement. By achieving AEO status, companies like NELT are exemplifying their dedication to a secure and efficient international trade", noted Lejla Čaluk from GIZ.

The EU provided significant financial and technical support to ITA and is committed to fostering a dynamic and secure trading environment in BiH. The EU funded ‘EU4Trade‘ project has been instrumental in modernizing BiH's trade practices, including the development and implementation of the AEO framework and the Time Release Study which was also presented today.

The Time Release Study represents a significant step forward in optimizing customs procedures. Conducted with EU support, the study assesses the time required for goods to be released from customs control, contributing to improved trade efficiency.

"With EU assistance, Bosnia and Herzegovina is taking a crucial step toward creating a more conducive environment for trade and investment. The assistance within the EU4Trade has targeted training for ITA officials, legal framework development, and awareness campaigns, notably paving the way for Nelt Company, the first BiH entity applying for AEO status. The Time Release Study is a valuable tool for harmonizing customs processes and reducing trade bottlenecks", said Andreja Zivkovic, key expert in the project EU4Trade.

In addition, with the support of EU4Trade project ITA will continue to measure the time required for custom clearances more efficiently using a newly introduced tool (Digital Time Release Study) which provides precise, paperless and transparent data on shipment processing times at any moment. It is a significant step towards harmonising BiH trade practices with EU and international standards.

As previously announced, the final workshop aimed at raising awareness regarding the reporting of non-tariff barriers ...
12/10/2023

As previously announced, the final workshop aimed at raising awareness regarding the reporting of non-tariff barriers in exports and imports took place on October 11th in Brčko.
Once again, the EU4Trade project team, in collaboration with partnering institutions including the BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations (MoFTER BiH), worked closely with the Foreign Trade Chamber of Commerce and chambers of commerce of Brčko District to organize this event.
The workshop featured significant contributions from representatives of the private sector, particularly entrepreneurs who generously shared their experiences in dealing with non-tariff barriers during the import and export of goods to and from other CEFTA Parties.
The discussions at the workshop underscored the pressing need for improved cooperation between the private sector and relevant institutions to address non-tariff barriers more efficiently. Non-tariff barriers pose challenges to enterprises in Bosnia-Herzegovina when engaging in trade within the CEFTA region, and it was emphasized that addressing these barriers is crucial for fostering a conducive trade environment.
It's important to note that as non-tariff barriers proliferate, the demand for non-tariff measures (NTMs) grows. NTMs, distinct from regular customs tariffs, encompass various policy measures that can significantly influence exports and imports of goods.

EU4Trade Tomorrow, on October 11th, the "Workshops to Raise Awareness of the Importance of Reporting Non-tariff Barriers...
10/10/2023

EU4Trade Tomorrow, on October 11th, the "Workshops to Raise Awareness of the Importance of Reporting Non-tariff Barriers in Exports and Imports" will be held in Brčko. This marks the final workshop in the series aimed at addressing the critical issue of non-tariff barriers.

During this event, the speakers will reiterate a key message: entrepreneurs are encouraged to actively report any encountered barriers and collaborate closely with local authorities. The goal is to streamline and expedite the export and import processes by eliminating as many obstacles as possible. This proactive approach is crucial for fostering a more efficient and conducive trade environment.

On October 9th, the EU4Trade workshops aimed at raising awareness about reporting non-tariff barriers in exports and imp...
10/10/2023

On October 9th, the EU4Trade workshops aimed at raising awareness about reporting non-tariff barriers in exports and imports were held in Banja Luka. The presentations and discussions primarily focused on strategies for eliminating non-tariff barriers. The speakers emphasized the importance of companies reporting actual non-tariff barriers. By providing this information, relevant authorities can take action to facilitate the removal of obstacles that hinder the acceleration of trade in and out of other CEFTA Parties.
The workshop in Banja Luka was attended by representatives from various organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Republika Srpska, the Economy Department of the Foreign Trade Chamber, the Department for Trade Relations with European Integrations at MoFTER, as well as representatives from trading companies and enterprises in the Banja Luka region.

EU4Trade After Mostar and Sarajevo, another Workshop to Raise Awareness of Importance on reporting Non-tariff barriers i...
05/10/2023

EU4Trade After Mostar and Sarajevo, another Workshop to Raise Awareness of Importance on reporting Non-tariff barriers in exports and imports will be held in Banja Luka on October, 09th, starting at 10:00.
CEFTA economies have achieved full tariff liberalization in trade in manufactured and agricultural products since CEFTA entered into force in 2006, leading to increased trade flows. However, mere tariff elimination turned out to be insufficient for full trade liberalization and genuine economic integration. Indeed, different adoption rates in international and EU standards have created new difficulties in the form of non-tariff barriers (NTBs). NTBs can be much more harmful in blocking trade flows than tariffs because they are technically and politically challenging to detect, analyze and remove. It is estimated that in CEFTA, on aggregate, NTBs’ impact is about two to four times larger than tariffs. The problem with NTMs is that, even if implemented on legitimate grounds, such regulations might lead to discrimination between suppliers in CEFTA economies, representing an additional source of costs, putting foreign competitors at a disadvantage and generate, intentionally or not, a form of protection for relevant industries. Consequently, lowering and dismantling NTBs is important for enabling unfettered trade in the CEFTA region.
A recent GIZ study on Non-Tariff Measures in CEFTA indicates that out of the 238 companies of different sizes from various sectors interviewed about NTMs, 161 companies (67.6%) reported that they experienced trade barriers, while 77 companies (32.4%) didn’t. Those companies which felt NTMs creating obstacles to their trade reported 796 NTM incidents. Non-tariff barriers in the CEFTA region are just one of the topics that would be discussed during the Workshop.

The EU4Trade project is fostering valuable collaboration and knowledge sharing! 🇪🇺🤝Representatives from the 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 ...
03/10/2023

The EU4Trade project is fostering valuable collaboration and knowledge sharing! 🇪🇺🤝
Representatives from the 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝘇𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗮, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗨 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🇧🇦 are embarking on a significant 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀.🇸🇪
Their mission? To glean insights and best practices on a range of trade-related topics, including handling and processing the release of goods, risk management, inspection of consignments, customs clearance, Single Window plans, simplified procedures, and the AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) concept in EU Member States.
This visit reflects the unwavering commitment of Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities to streamline trade processes and enhance trade facilitation.📈✨

EU4Trade Another workshop aimed at raising awareness of the importance of reporting non-tariff barriers in exports and i...
02/10/2023

EU4Trade Another workshop aimed at raising awareness of the importance of reporting non-tariff barriers in exports and imports was recently conducted in Sarajevo. The event took place at the premises of the Foreign Trade Chamber and was organized by the EU4Trade team.

During the workshop, various institutions and partners delivered presentations on issues related to non-tariff barriers, highlighting the achievements of the project. The presentations were given by key representatives, including EPRD, the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Director of the Economy Department, the Director of the Department for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, MoFTER, and the Head of the Department for Trade Relations with European Integrations, MoFTER.

Following these insightful presentations, a proactive discussion ensued, with several participants sharing their opinions and insights. Particularly valuable contributions were made by companies that shared their experiences concerning the legal framework and the barriers they encounter in the import and export of goods.

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