Employers associations in both of Bosnia’s semi-autonomous entities, the Federation (FBiH) and Republika Srpska (RS), urged political leaders and top officials on all government levels in the country to work on calming down the political situation in the country, warning that the ongoing tensions are damaging the economy.

“The negative political rhetoric we have been witnessing lately is causing great damage to the economy and negatively affecting the living standards of citizens. The unstable political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina not only turns away new investors but also causes the withdrawal or suspension of started investments,” the associations warned.

“A significant number of export-oriented companies face the problem of complete cancellation of existing orders or inability to obtain new ones, and foreign partners cite political instability in Bosnia and Herzegovina as the reason,” they said.

The associations stressed that this endangers economic activities in the country, jobs, as well as public revenues.

They stressed that it is necessary to enable the smooth functioning of executive and legislative institutions in order to enable the adoption of decisions and laws necessary to strengthen stability and improve the business environment.

They also called on representatives of the executive and legislative branches at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina to begin work as soon as possible on the adoption of key reform laws aimed at improving the business environment and strengthening the economy.