16. December. 2011.

Zenica-Doboj Canton recorder decrease of production and exports in last quarter

The Chamber of Commerce of the Zenica-Doboj Canton is satisfied with macroeconomic indicators for the first nine months, but it notes that the last quarter showed negative trends.

During the first nine months of this year in the Zenica-Doboj Canton a growth of industrial production is recorded by 11 percent over the same period last year. Exports amounted to 1 billion and 97 million marks, while imports 1 billion and 145 million marks, so that the percentage of coverage of imports by exports was realized at 95.8 percent, making it the Zenica-Doboj Canton in the second position in the Federation, after the first ranked Bosnian –Podrinje Canton. In the total export of B&H, the Zenica – Doboj Canton is participating with more than 17 percent.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Zenica-Doboj Canton is satisfied with macroeconomic indicators for the first nine months, but it notes that the last quarter showed negative trends.

"In the last three months of the 2011th there was a decline in production and exports. The decline is largely generated by the crisis in the European Union, which is the largest trading partner of Zenica-Doboj Canton, and also by the current political crisis due not forming  Council of Ministers" said today the President of the Chamber, Šefkija Botonjić.

Botonjić believes that next year the economy will be even worse, if the state does not make decisive cuts when it comes to relieving the economy and reducing government spending.

"Employee benefits in B&H amount to 68 percent of salary, and in a much more advanced and stronger economy like Germany it is 39 percent, which is incomprehensible. Official figures say that 56 percent of gross national income go to the B&H public spending, which is why we think that this ratio needs to be changed. Necessary amendments also need to be done in collective agreements, which in addition to burdening the economy also burden the state budget, "said Botonjić.

According to data from the Chamber of Commerce ZDC, in August, in the Canton there were 70,506 persons employed, of whom nearly 77 percent in the economy, and the remainder in non-economic activities. The average salary was 709 km.

At the same time, the records showed that there were also 67,744 unemployed persons, so that unemployment rate in the Zenica-Doboj Canton is 59 percent.