AMIDŽIĆ: RECIPROCITY IN VAT REFUNDS FOR TRANSPORT COMPANIES IN EU COUNTRIES REQUESTED

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 12 /SRNA/ - The Minister of Finance and Treasury in the Council of Ministers, Srđan Amidžić, said that the ministry he heads had requested from the finance ministries of Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary, and Greece to ensure that transport companies from BiH receive the same treatment regarding VAT refunds as transport companies from those countries enjoy in BiH.

"When operating abroad, our transport companies have no right to VAT refunds on fuel, bridge tolls, road tolls, and similar expenses, while transport companies from those countries, when providing such services in BiH, are entitled to VAT refunds. For us, this is unacceptable", Amidžić said at a press conference in Banja Luka.

He emphasized that if the principle of reciprocity in VAT refunds is not respected, transport companies from those countries will no longer be able to claim VAT refunds in BiH.

"Our goal is not to abolish VAT refunds for those companies, but to ensure that our transport companies are granted the same rights in their countries", Amidžić said.

He added that the decision on this step was made following consultations with Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and Prime Minister Savo Minić.

"We decided not to wait any longer for the Federation of BiH, nor for /Minister of Communications and Transport Edin/ Forto or /Foreign Minister Elmedin/ Konaković, and to take certain measures aimed at protecting the interests of transport companies from both Republika Srpska and the FBiH", Amidžić said.

He recalled that six months ago, Forto said he would resolve all transport companies’ problems within 14 days, yet nothing has been done to this day.

"At the same time, Konaković said he would hold bilateral meetings to improve the position of transport companies. Do these two at least have a bit of political dignity and courage to tell those concerned, mostly EU countries, that transport companies from BiH must have the same status?", Amidžić asked.

The chief coordinator of the “Logistics BiH” Consortium, Velibor Peulić, said that this step is very important for the entire logistics industry in BiH.

"We had no right to VAT refunds. The problem was due to poor procedures. For example, in just one transport sector, we have around €10,000 per month that we have been unable to reclaim, while their companies have been reclaiming that from BiH", Peulić said.

He pointed out additional problems faced by transport companies in BiH and noted that today marks the day when the “iron curtain” comes down for transport companies, as the new EU border management system begins operating.

"We have been awaiting this day with great anxiety. If nothing changes, it will be a major blow not only to transport companies but to the entire economy", Peulić said.