Boletín de noticias Diciembre de 2015 Croacia

Bosnia y Herzegovina

HGK Expects Continuation of Total Investment Growth in Croatian Economy in 2015 Pág. 4

EU helps modernise Bosnia Herzegovina customs clearance process Pág. 12

Croatia in Group of EU Countries with Highest Unemployment Rates...... Pág. 5

The Growth of Foreign Investments and reducing of Unemployment in B&H by 2018? Pág. 14

Eight Croatian companies on Deloitte's list of 500 fastest growing ... Pág. 11

Bosnia to adopt traditional trade principle for Croatia . Pág. 19

By 00cska00 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Bosnia y Herzegovina El contenido de este boletín ha sido elaborado por Montserrat Pérez Ripoll, analista de mercado y Álvaro Montalbán Martínez, becario ICEX, bajo la supervisión de la Oficina Económica y Comercial de la Embajada de España en Zagreb.

ÍNDICE

CROACIA ................................................................................................. 4 HGK Expects Continuation of Total Investment Growth in Croatian Economy in 2015 ................................................................................................................... 4 Croatia in Group of EU Countries with Highest Unemployment Rates .................. 5 2015 Budget Deficit Lower than 2014, but EDP Requires HRK 3 Billion Less in 2016 ................................................................................................................... 6 Croatian Hotel Sector Consolidation Intensifies After Decades of Stagnation, Say Experts................................................................................................................ 7 Round Table: 2016 Last Chance for Voluntary Reforms ....................................... 8 B ............................... 9 Average Croat household expenses EUR 10,665 ............................................... 10 ICT integration in Croatian companies high ........................................................ 10 Eight Croatian companies on Deloitte's list of 500 fastest growing ..................... 11 BOSNIA Y HERZEGOVINA ....................................................................... 12 Air Pollution is Choking Bosnia, Experts Warn .................................................... 12 EU helps modernise Bosnia Herzegovina customs clearance process ............... 12 The EU Delegation to BiH/EUSR welcomes the adoption of the BiH Law on Foreigners ......................................................................................................... 13 Bosnia Herzegovina: 10 million EUR worth Investment from Qatar ..................... 14 The Growth of Foreign Investments and reducing of Unemployment in B&H by 2018? ............................................................................................................... 14 Izetbegovic in Brussels: We will resolve Croatian Question in the First Half of 2016 ......................................................................................................................... 15 Zvizdic: I am expecting to submit the Application for EU membership in a Month or Two................................................................................................................... 15 Bosnia to adopt traditional trade principle for Croatia ......................................... 16 Export from B&H increasing: Deficit decreased by more than seven percent! ..... 18 Government of FB&H to sell three more Companies? ........................................ 18 NOTICIAS ICEX ....................................................................................... 20

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(Informes accesibles pinchando en los enlaces)

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CROACIA Área superficie: 56.594 km2 Población: 4.290.612 (censo 2011) Desempleo: 17,2 % (octubre 2015) PIB per cápita: 10.219 EUR Crecimiento PIB 2015: +0,5% (1er trimestre), +1,2% (2º trimestre), +2,8% (3er trimestre). Inflación en 2015: -0,9% (octubre 2015)

Tipo de cambio: 7,62 HRK/EUR (diciembre de 2015)

Balanza comercial enero-septiembre 2015: -Export: 8.473 M euros (+11,3 %) -Import: 13.853 M euros (+6,5%) -Saldo: -5.380 M euros -Cobertura: 61,16 %

HGK Expects Continuation of Total Investment Growth in Croatian Economy in 2015 Media Scan, 2 de diciembre de 2015

The Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) published a commentary on data released by the State Bureau of Statistics (DZS) which showed that in 2014 total investments in the Croatian economy continued to experience mild annual growth of 3.2% to a total of HRK 46.6 billion - and the HGK predicted in its commentary that data for 2015 while show a continuation of that growth as well. The HGK did note however that the data for the past two years are not completely compatible with previous years due to slight changes in the calculation methodology. HGK pointed out that after four years of declining investment in the Croatian economy it slowly started to recover in 2013, with total gross investments in 2014 up by 3.2% year-on-year. Though investments in construction were 1.8% lower in 2014 than a year earlier, there was an overall year-on-year increase in investments in other sectors. There was a 2% increase in investments in new fixed assets, which represent 90% of the total investment last year and while large investments were made in the manufacturing sector, the largest investments were in public administration, defense and obligatory insurance, all of which were backed by European Union (EU) funding, according to the HGK. The largest reported increase in investment in 2014 was in the transport and storage sectors, with the construction of the new passenger terminal at Zagreb Airport playing a large role in that growth. Significant increases in investment were also reported in public services, hospitality and food service activities, which could be attributed to the construction and renovation of hotels. Meanwhile, the largest decreases in investment were recorded in the construction sector, and in electricity, natural gas and water supply. Notwithstanding the changes methodology, the investment data for 2014 showed relatively modest value compared to the period before the start of the economic crisis - the HRK 46.6 billion of total investments in 2014 was some 45% lower than the HRK 83.7 billion of investments reported in 2008.

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In addition to fall in total investment, the structure of those investments changed significantly. While the largest investments in 2008 were into the construction sector, which was followed by investment into the manufacturing, retail and financial sectors with investment in the public services sector only in 5th place. The HGK noted in its commentary that the leading cause for changes in the investment structure was the drop in consumer spending that occurred during the peak of the economic crisis. Other negative factors included the difficult borrowing conditions on the domestic market, high levels of indebtedness, deteriorating financial results, reluctance to invest, and the decline in capacity utilization. further growth in the value of investments, which is already evident in the structure of the Gross Dom Zvonimir Savic, Director of the Sector for Financial Institutions, Business Information and Economic Analysis at the HGK.

Croatia in Group of EU Countries with Highest Unemployment Rates Media Scan, 3 de diciembre de 2015

According to data releases on Tuesday by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union (EU), the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in Croatia was 15.8% or.3% higher in October in comparison to the previous month of September but was 1.8% less than in October 2014, Croatian media report. Croatia thus remains in a group of EU countries with the highest seasonally/adjusted unemployment rates measured by International Labour Organisation (ILO) methodology. The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in Croatia was 15.8% in October or 0.3% less than in September, but 1.8% less than in October 2014. Eurostat data showed that 295,000 Croatian citizens were out of work in October this year, which was 1,000 more than in September 38,000 fewer than in October 2014. The Eurostat data also showed that in the EU the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate of 9.3% in October was at the lowest level in more than six years - and was the third consecutive month of that same unemployment rate in the EU, while the rate in October 2014 was 10.1%. However, with its seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate at 15.8% in October, Croatia remains in the group of EU countries with the highest seasonally adjusted unemployment rates, a group led by Greece with an unemployment rate of 24.6% in August, and followed by Spain with an unemployment rate of 21.6%. Croatia is also in the group of EU countries with the highest youth unemployment rate, led by Greece (47.9% in August 2015), Spain (47.7%), Croatia (43.1% in the third quarter 2015) and Italy (39.8%)

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2015 Budget Deficit Lower than 2014, but EDP Requires HRK 3 Billion Less in 2016 Media Scan, 4 de diciembre de 2015

revenues of 8%-10% in comparison to one year earlier, as well as projected expenditures for December, suggest that the final 2015 deficit could be around HRK 10.5 billion or HRK 2.5 billion less than originally planned. However, in line with the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP), the European Commission (EC) expects the Croatian Government to reduce the deficit in 2016 by at least HRK 3 billion a target to which that none of the political options vying for power have yet committed themselves. GDP growth and the resulting increase in tax revenues of 8%-10% in comparison to one year earlier left a budget deficit of around HRK 7.5 billion at the end of November this year. Budget revenue for the first 11 months of the year totaled HRK 98.2 billion and expenditures were HRK 105.8 billion and if this trend continues through December, then the original annual budget revenue target of HRK 108 billion could be achieved and expenditures would be less than the planned HRK 120.7 billion. Value Added Tax (VAT) revenues, which are the single greatest source of budget revenue, in the first eleven months of this year reached HRK 40.2 billion or 7% more in comparison to 2014 near the planned annual budget revenue target of HRK 42.2 billion for 2015. The budget revenue in the year through November from excise duties totaled HRK 12.8 billion - and while profit taxes brought in another HRK 5.7 billion, they are expected to be significantly lower in 2016 due to the losses banks will report as a result of their conversions of Swiss franc (CHF)-indexed loans to euros. Based on projected expenditures for December this year, the final budget deficit for 2015 deficit could be around HRK 10.5 billion, which would be HRK 2.5 billion less than originally planned. However, the increase in interest costs each year is a problem that the budget will have difficulty dealing with, especially as the public debt has grown to just under HRK 290 billion. The state paid out a total of HRK 10.4 billion in interest on its debt over the first 11 months of 2015 which was equivalent to the total interest costs paid for all of 2014. As recently as 2008 interest costs were HRK 4.7 billion, but are now expect to swell to HRK 12 billion in 2016. Over the past six years, Croatia has borrowed a total of HRK 115 billion from various sources in order to cover its continuing budgetary deficit. European Commission (EC) analysts have calculated that the Croatian budget and public companies will need to generate a primary budgetary surplus for the next 15 years companies in that assessment is due to the obligations arising from the Croatian

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Railway (HZ) and its subsidiaries and the state-owned roadways companies Hrvatske autoceste (HAC) and Hrvatske ceste (HC). is expected to reduce its budget deficit by at least HRK 3 billion in 2016 a target to which none of the political options currently vying for power have yet committed themselves.

Croatian Hotel Sector Consolidation Intensifies After Decades of Stagnation, Say Experts Media Scan, 8 de diciembre de 2015

Tourism sector consultants acknowledge that after several decades of stagnation the process of consolidation of the Croatian hotel sector has intensified in recent years, and that in the regard the country is now becoming part of a global trend and it is expected that local and regional companies would continue to dominate the market. Sanja Cizmar, Senior Partner at Horwath HTL Hrvatska, the Croatian branch of the international tourism consultant company, claims the Croatian hotel sector is Valamar Riviera, Luksic Group and Maistra which together manage almost 50% of the total accommodation capacities in the Croatian tourism sector. An additional major consolidation and resulting emergence of another large hotel company is also expected. Cizmar also points out that, after decades of stagnation, the consolidation of the Croatian hotel industry has intensified in recent years. Thus, Luksic Group acquired Jadranski luksuzni hoteli, Liburnia Riviera Hoteli (LRH) acquired Hoteli Cavtat, Valamar Riviera integrated its ownership and management structures and announced its interest for new acquisitions - while Maistra acquired the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik Hotel, and has announced the possibility of a further expansion of its hotel portfolio. the situation in the country and the region, it is expected that the leading companies will continue acquiring the smaller ones in Croatia which will be followed by a continuation of the strategy of merging companies within the same equity portfolio into Cizmar. The recent major USD 12.2 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts by Marriott International is interesting for Croatia because of the plans of the Marriott group to participate through its Ritz-Carlton brand, in cooperation with Avenue ulaganja, in the renewal of the Kupari tourist resort near Dubrovnik. At the same brand. Given the current and planned mid-term processes, local and regional players should be expected to continue to prevail in the Croatian market because such

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companies find it easier to eliminate barriers at the local level, claimed Cizmar. However, increased competitiveness of the business and investment climate in Croatia should lead to the increased interest of international investors - but primarily on a Greenfield basis, because such projects have no internal constraints, according to Cizmar.

Round Table: 2016 Last Chance for Voluntary Reforms Media Scan, 10 de diciembre de 2015

Zagreb Initiative , an association of economists and journalists proposing solutions for Croatia, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a think tank connected to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) political party in Germany, co-sponsored a

Croatia has reached an economic crossroads at which it must decide now whether or not it will urgent The World Bank (WB) Country Manager for Croatia Carlos Pinerua reminded that there is a political cost in the form of a loss of popularity when difficult decisions paid; this behavior will be punished by the markets and the question is whether to said Pinerua. He concluded that it is not a question of whether or not to do something, but when. Zagreb Economics Faculty Professor Tomislav Coric, who is also chairman of the Finance Committee of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), emphasized that very little can be done with the budget, since the problems are an insufficiently competitive economy, hostile business atmosphere, and lack of reforms in public influence the revenue side of the budget and become a problem of fiscal policy has helped public finances, but warned that no fiscal measures can solve the problems in public finances in the first few months of the new government. Coric contends that the new government can work on increasing fiscal and especially since it is apparent that overed by

Siemens CEO and president of the Association of Foreign Investors in Croatia (USUH) Mladen Fogec reminded at the roundtable that most of the problems faced by foreign investors are caused by an inconsistent interpretation of laws across Croatia and a tax policy which changes too often lasting less than the

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uld implement is reform of public administration which is a huge cost burdening the country; the second is privatization The Koncar CEO and Pre Bago raised the issue of the overvalued Croatian Kuna, and suggested that Croatia should utilize controlled devaluation of 2% per year and other measures to strengthen exports. Coric countered that the kuna exchange rate is just one of the

Media Scan, 10 de diciembre de 2015

Following its full privatization in 2013, the Brodosplit shipyard has won several major contracts, including one for construction of a 162.2 meter long sail-powered Monaco-based Star Clippers Ltd. which operates a cruise fleet of large sailing ships.The ship will have five masts and will deploy sails with a combined surface area of 6,400 square meters and will carry 312 passengers in 156 luxurious cabins, as well as 138 crew members. This most modern sailing ship will be

negotiations, we are proud to be recognized as a rare shipyard capable of building such a unique ship from design and construction to outfitting with complicated delivery scheduled for February 2017 and there is the likely possibility that Brodosplit will construct a second ship for the buyer. One of the key preconditions for the signing of the financing deal was an insurance policy according to which the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) guaranteed to return part of the loan approved for the construction of the ship. On Wednesday, the start of construction was commemorated in a keel-laying ceremony which was attended by a number of dignitaries, as well as the owner of ng, I visited European shipyards and was convinced of the quality of Brodosplit which is why I decided to deal with this company Krafft. Brodosplit CEO Tomislav Debeljak commented that the project will consume a total of 800,000 worked hours and will be something Brodosplit can be proud of.

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Debeljak. Brodosplit Project Director Radovan Nacinovic emphasized that the

Average Croat household expenses EUR 10,665 HINA, 14 de diciembre de 2015

The average Croatian household's annual outlays for consumption were HRK 81,054, and of that nearly 30% was spent on food and beverages, while costs for housing and energy and transport were the second highest, according to a report published by the national statistical office (DZS). The DZS on Wednesday published the report on main characteristics of the household costs for 2014 based on a survey among over 2,000 households, which shows that the average household expenses were HRK 81,054, and 29.5% of this went on food and beverages. Broken down by the type of costs, outlays for food and non-alcoholic drinks were the highest, HRK 23,934, with food expenses reaching HRK 22,155. Of those 22,155 kuna, HRK 6,746 was spent on meat, and HRK 3,751 was spent on bread and cereals, while the costs of milk, cheese and eggs totalled HRK 3,429. The average household spent HRK 2,705 on vegetables and 1,514 on fruit. The non-alcoholic beverages cost HRK 1,778, and the average household's annual expenses on alcoholic beverages were HRK 1,045, and 1,624 kuna went on cigarettes.The costs of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes accounted for 3% of the total annual costs.The housing costs and energy costs made up 16.3% of the total outlays, and transport costs accounted for 13%.The average Croatian household spent HRK 5,416 on clothes and footwear. A total of HRK 4,812 was spent on leisure and culture.

ICT integration in Croatian companies high HINA, 14 de diciembre de 2015

Croatian businesses have integrated information and communication technologies in their activities to a high degree, 90% of them use computers and have access to the Internet, and 71% have their own web-sites, shows a survey by the national statistical office on ICT implementation in 2015. As many as 87% of the companies polled use some kind of broadband Internet, which is 6% less than in 2014 owing to a rise in the availability and use of mobile telephones which resulted in a 16% increase in the use of mobile access to the Internet. Thus, currently 80% of Croatian companies use the latter form of Internet access. Broken down by type of business activity, 100% of companies whose main line of business is publishing and communications use computers and have access to the Internet.

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On the other hand, the lowest ranked are hotels, restaurants and transportation companies, with 84% Internet access. Broken down by size, all big companies have access to the Internet, 98% of medium-sized companies have access to the Internet, as do 88% of small businesses. However, the volume of e-commerce is still low as e-sales account for a mere 14% of all trade in goods and services.

Eight Croatian companies on Deloitte's list of 500 fastest growing HINA, 14 de diciembre de 2015

Eight Croatian technological companies, which is four more than last year, have found their way on Deloitte's list this year of the 50 fastest growing companies in central Europe and among 500 companies in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa), thanks to a growing revenue over the past four years of between 251% to as much as 843%. The eight Croatian companies on Deloitte's list this year include Serengeti (843%), recording the largest growth in revenue, Nanobit (754%), Integracija (539%), Sedmi Odjel (476%), Infinum (397%), InfoCumulus (277%), Acceleleratio (256%) and Degordian (251%), Deloitte's Croatian office reported on Tuesday. "We are happy that this year our lists of 50 and 500 fastest growing companies include eight Croatian companies and only two of these were on our list last year Infinum and Nanonibt, while the others are new, including Degordian as the only company in the field of media while the others are software companies," Ivan Perica of Deloitte's Croatian office said, adding that another two companies had made it to the Rising Star list. "With its eight companies on the list, Croatia is in third place in the region, behind Poland with 12 companies and Romania with 10 technological companies amongst those 50, which we consider also to be a very good indicator of knowhow and innovation," Perica underscored.

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BOSNIA Y HERZEGOVINA Superficie: 51.197 km2 Población: 3.791.622 (censo octubre 2013)

Desempleo: 43,8% en septiembre 2015 Crecimiento PIB: +0,6% en primer trimestre de 2015 y +4,4 en el segundo PIB per cápita: 3.270 EUR Inflación : -1,8% en octubre 2015

Tipo de cambio: 1,97 BAM/EUR (Tipo de cambio fijo)

Balanza comercial eneroseptiembre 2015: Export: 3.420 M de euros (+4,2%) Import: 6.028 M de euros (-1%) Saldo: -2.608 M EUR Cobertura: 56,73%

Air Pollution is Choking Bosnia, Experts Warn BalkanInsight, 1 de diciembre de 2015

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a major problem with air pollution which could cause serious illnesses, but so far the authorities have refused to address the issue. Bosnian towns like Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica, Lukavac and Kakanj are suffering from serious problems with air pollution, experts from the Federal Hydro-Meteorological Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina [FHMZBiH] told BIRN. "Sarajevo is definitely one of the most polluted cities in Europe when it comes to air pollution," said Enis Omercic, an air-quality expert for the FHMZBiH.

EU helps modernise Bosnia Herzegovina customs clearance process Balkans news, 1 de diciembre de 2015

The Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA) of Bosnia Herzegovina launched the new EUfunded Information Application ASYCUDA WORLD at the Customs Office in Banja Luka on 27 November 2015. The application consists of the most advanced information technology tools. It will enable the speeding up of the customs clearance process, improving transparency in the work of the customs service and better risk-analysis due to real-time reporting. The business community will benefit from the usage of the application, especially due to a comprehensive bank guarantee of the customs procedure and the possibility of conducting paperless business, obtaining an electronic signature,

In her opening remarks, Chloe Berger, Head of Section of Justice and Home Affairs, and Public Administration Reform at the EU Delegation to BiH, stressed

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that the EU re will continue to support ITA. Within IPA 2014 we have earmarked over 3 million added. Antonio Blanco, r -General for Taxation and Customs Union, emphasised that the new application will save time focus on trade facilitation shows also its ability to deal with simplified procedures.

Provisions to the Customs Policy Law have yet to be adopted. Both the EU and

support noting that the EU assistance to ITA since 2004 amounts to 36 million euro. The first release of the new IT application was carried out at the Customs Office Banja Luka. The application will be operational in all other customs offices throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina by April 2016. The European Union funded the development of the application at a total cost of 2 million euro through the IPA 2010 programme. The project started in January 2014, is implemented by UNCTAD from Geneva and will ensure that all procedures in the customs clearance process will be compatible with EU rules reports Europa

The EU Delegation to BiH/EUSR welcomes the adoption of the BiH Law on Foreigners Sarajevo Times, 3 de diciembre de 2015

The long awaited Law on Foreigners defining entry, movement and stay of 15. This completes 18 months of intensive work with the law representing a huge step forward in the migration policy of BiH. A major benefit of the Law is that it is closely harmonised with the EU Acquis and the best EU practices. Special emphasis was given to areas of detention of conditions for crossing the state border/entry into BiH. It is important to note that negative commentary on migration issues emphasised in the European Commission Country Report for many years have been eliminated. A significant it in line with EU best practice.

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Bosnia Herzegovina: 10 million EUR worth Investment from Qatar Balkans news, 4 de diciembre de 2015

Construction of the sports-recreation and tourist center at Bosnia Herzegovina's Rostovo near Bugojno, worth around 10 million EUR, have started. Works, which should be completed by the 15th of June next year, are managed

Sahman, resident of Bugojno who lived in Qatar in the recent years where he was working as a handball coach. According to him, the first match in the future handball hall, which will have 810 seats, should be played around the 20th of June 2016. After the construction of the hall, which will be able to host international, club and representative matches, they are planning the construction of hotel facilities, the football stadium and two sports halls reports Sarajevo Times.

The Growth of Foreign Investments and reducing of Unemployment in B&H by 2018? Sarajevo Times, 5 de diciembre de 2015

After the expected economic growth of 2.5 % this year in B&H, in the upcoming year this rate should be amounting to 3.1 %, as stated in the latest report by the Directorate for Economic Planning of B&H. It is expected that the growth of investment will go from 7.3 % in this to 9.6 % in the following year, thus the overall increase domestic demand this year should amount to 2.3 %, and 2.9 % in the next year. The Directorate for Economic Planning of B&H predicted a reduction of unemployment until the end of the year, which should be accompanied by the increase of the number of employees by 1.5 %. labor market is expected in 2016, and in 2017 and 2018 is planned the increase of the volume of demand, investment and trade, which should have a positive in the report. It is expected that the average net salary could be increased by 1.9 and 2.1 % in the next 3 years. In this institution believe that the reform process and improvement of the business environment, standardization, and greater diversification of export markets should significantly improve B&H exports, whose growth is expected from 6.7 to 7.4 % in 2017 and 2018.

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Complete normalization of the economic situation in B&H and in the field of foreign trade is estimated within the next 3 years.

Izetbegovic in Brussels: We will resolve Croatian Question in the First Half of 2016 Sarajevo Times, 9 de diciembre de 2015

Speaking at the conference in Brussels, which is devoted to the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement, Bakir Izetbegovic, member of the Presidency of B&H, said that the Croatian issue should be resolved in the first half of 2016. 20 years after the Dayton-Paris in the organization of members of the European Parliament from Croatia. Member of the Presidency of B&H Bakir Izetbegovic and the Chairman of the Presidency of B&H Dragan Covic are attending the conference, as well as the High Representative of B&H Valentin Inzko, EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, Federica Mogherini and other high officials. One of the issues that should be solved as soon as possible is the protection of the Croats, since there is three times less Croats than Bosniaks in FB&H, said Izetbegovic. not only in the Armed Forces of B&H and the Council of Ministers of B&H, but also within the structure of the 73 agencies. At the moment, the Chairman of the Presidency of B&H is a Croat and he was also the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of B&H, the Minister of Defense is Croat and the Commander of the Joint Staff of Armed Forces of B&H is also Croat. Situation is similar when it comes to banking. I want to say that there are things that need to be resolved, but there are also things that we have already solved and where Croats are in even better position, in relation to Izetbegovic stated that it is also very important to recognize the real interests and to separate them from the national delusions. (Source: klix.ba)

Zvizdic: I am expecting to submit the Application for EU membership in a Month or Two Sarajevo Times, 11 de diciembre de 2015

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of B&H Denis Zvizdic in his address at the first meeting of the Council for Stabilization and Association between B&H and the European Union, which was held in Brussels, while speaking about the Report of European Commission of B&H in 2015, emphasized that several important facts

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from the previous period are confirming the commitment of B&H for the reforms to be an important priority that is fundamental for the accession to EU. He emphasized that within the framework of the political criteria, B&H is actively involved in the public administration reform process. He added that he is expecting B&H to submit the application for EU membership for a month or two. Zvizdic emphasized that B&H has established a strategic framework in the fight against terrorism and organized crime. He underlined that the recent amendments of the Criminal Code of B&H were aligned with the recommendations of the Moneyval Committee in the fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism. He also said that the Action Group for the fight against terrorism has been formed, and it was confirmed unanimously and with full commitment that the fight against all forms of extremism and terrorism are among top priorities of B&H. Chairman of the Council of Ministers of B&H, said that B&H is strongly committed to the development of good neighborly relations with the countries in the region and abroad, and that the joint session of the Council of Ministers and the Government of Croatia was held, while the first joint meeting with the Government of Serbia was held in November 2015. He reminded that the FB&H adopted Labor Law, the Law on Public Enterprises, the Law on Internal Payment System, Law on the Policy of Foreign Direct Investment, Regulation on employment and self-employment, changes and amendments to the Law on Budget of the FB&H, the Budget Rebalance for 2015 and the Strategy on management of public debt. Budget rebalance for 2015, and the Act on Fiscal Responsibility were adopted in RS.

Bosnia to adopt traditional trade principle for Croatia Hina, 11 de diciembre de 2015

Bosnia and Herzegovina intends to swiftly conclude negotiations on adaptation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) following Croatia's accession to the European Union (EU), Chairman of the country's Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdic said in Brussels on Friday. "As regards adaptations to the SAA concerning the principle of traditional trade, I believe that today we made an important and very positive step which clearly defines and underscores Bosnia and Herzegovina's readiness to resolve this issue in accordance with the principle of traditional trade," Zvizdic said after the first meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Council between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union. Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only country that rejected the principle of free trade that is applied to all negotiations after enlargement when the EU concludes

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additional protocols on existing trade agreements with third countries. As the SAA between EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina is asymmetrical, that is, it gives preference to Bosnia and Herzegovina in trade with the EU, authorities in Sarajevo attempted to apply this to Croatia after it joined the Union, which led to considerable damage to Croatian exporters who, while Croatia was part of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), were able to export free of custom tariffs to all countries parties to the free trade agreement. It is for this reason that the principle of traditional trade was introduced so countries joining the bloc would not suffer any damage due to their changed status. Zvizdic announced that negotiations on this issue would commence next week and should be completed very quickly. "We wish to fulfil that commitment because we truly intend to submit our membership application soon, in a month or two at most, and launch that process which will lead to Bosnia and Herzegovina gaining candidate status for membership of the EU, which is our final objective," Zvizdic said, underscoring that in Bosnia and Herzegovina they are aware of all the efforts and reforms that need to be implemented and that they are resolute to do just that. The SAA entered into force on 1 June 2015 and the first meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Council (SA Council) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union was held on Friday, which Zvizdic referred to as an "historic day" for Bosnia and Herzegovina in European integration. A year ago the EU changed its approach to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was lagging behind other countries in the region concerning European integration. Before that, the EU insisted on the implementation of the Sejdic-Finci ruling, which was to have resolved the issue of equal representation of ethnic minorities who cannot be elected to the country's presidency or to the House of Peoples. That issue however, was quickly transformed into a "Croatian issue" as the current election law enables the Croatian representative to the presidency to be elected by members of another constitutive ethnic group in spite of the will of the Croatian people. A solution to this matter has not yet been found. The implementation of the Sejdic-Finci ruling remains a condition for Bosnia and Herzegovina, however, it has been deferred for a later phase in the accession process and the focus has been shifted onto economic and social reforms. Zvizdic said that over the past year Bosnia and Herzegovina had made good progress in implementing the economic reform agenda and that the results were visible - growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), growth in employment, reduction of the foreign trade deficit. The EU's High Representative Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and VicePresident of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, commended Bosnia and Herzegovina for the progress made in 2015 on its path towards the European Union. In a joint statement after the meeting Mogherini called on Bosnia and Herzegovina "to focus on the improvement of the socio-economic situation in order to make

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further progress in EU integration and avoid attention being diverted by a discussion on a possible holding of an entity-level referendum on State Judiciary."

Export from B&H increasing: Deficit decreased by more than seven percent! Sarajevo Times, 11 de diciembre de 2015

Council of Ministers of B&H adopted the Analysis by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations on the foreign trade exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first ten months of 2015, which stated the further increase in export and decrease in import. That led to a decrease of deficit by 7.02 percent in comparison with the same period last year. According to the Information, total volume of foreign trade exchange in this period amounted to 18.48 billion BAM, which is by around 156 million BAM more compared to the same period last year. The coverage of imports by exports amounted to 56.73 percent, which is by 2.82 percent more in comparison with the same period in 2014. European Union is still the main foreign trade partner of B&H, participating with a share of 64.73 percent in the total volume of trade exchange. Following are the countries signatories of CEFTA 2006 agreement with 13.31 percent, and other countries with 21.96 percent. In the first nine months of this year, B&H exported the most to Germany, Italy, Serbia, Croatia, Austria, Slovenia, Turkey, Montenegro, Hungary and the Netherlands. Export to these countries makes up 76.26 percent of total export. Is was mostly imported from Germany, Italy, Serbia, Croatia, China, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey, Austria and the USA. Import from these countries participates in the total import with a share of 72.60 percent. (Source: akta.ba)

Government of FB&H to sell three more Companies? Sarajevo Times, 14 de diciembre de 2015

In the upcoming months, the Government of FB&H is planning to sell three companies in which it has minority stakes in ownership. These are the following companies: Bosnalijek, Fabrika Duhana Sarajevo (Sarajevo Tobacco Factory) and Sarajevo Osiguranje (Sarajevo Insurance). Advisor to the FB&H Prime Minister Goran Mirascic said that the government is expecting to get at least 65 million BAM from the sale of stakes in these companies.

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Most likely it will go through the stock exchange. Funds from the sale are planned Few days ago, the Government of FB&H established and submitted budget proposal for the upcoming year in the amount of 2,598,862,123 BAM in the parliamentary procedure. Budget proposal in relation to the proposed draft is increased for additional 65 million BAM, which will be secured with the sale of these three companies. Out of this amount, 50 million BAM will be directed to the linking of work experience, 10 million BAM for taking material care of the institutions of the Government of FB&H, 2 million BAM for the implementation of set of anti-corruption laws, and 3 million BAM for capital transfers of public enterprises for funding of development projects. (Source: faktor.ba)

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NOTICIAS ICEX Publicaciones

Boletín ICE 3055 septiembre 2014 España y Croacia, socios en la Unión Europea Monográfico dedicado a Croacia, último país que ha accedido como miembro de pleno derecho a la UE. En este Boletín se esboza la situación del país; se reseñan los sectores de mayor potencial; se analizan las relaciones comerciales bilaterales; se explicitan las barreras y obstáculos que dificultan las actividades de inversión; se estudia la seguridad jurídica y planificación fiscal en Croacia centrándolo en el Convenio de Doble Imposición vigente entre España y Croacia; se recoge el punto de vista de la Cámara de Economía de Croacia para las Relaciones Internacionales y Asuntos con la Unión Europea; se incide sobre la oportunidad de negocio que para las empresas españolas supondrá el flujo de fondos europeos y multilaterales que entrarán próximamente en Croacia; se subrayan las enormes posibilidades del sector turístico; se detallan las inversiones previstas en el tratamiento de aguas residuales y en el abastecimiento de aguas; se valora muy positivamente la oportunidad de trabajar en el desarrollo del sector ferroviario, se cierra el monográfico con una apuesta por las inversiones en todas las opciones energéticas. Para más información:

Índice y autores del monográfico Adquisición del monográfico en formato PDF

Bosnia y Herze govi na: un país desc ono cido y complica do, pero abierto al comer cio y a la inversión En el Boletín ICE 3062 de abril de 2015 ha sido publicado el estudio

Herzegovina: un país desconocido y complicado, pero abierto al comercio y a la , escrito por Montserrat Pérez Ripoll, analista de mercado de la Oficina Económica y Comercial de España en Zagreb, y por Jasminka Bajramovic, colaboradora de la Oficina en Bosnia y Herzegovina.

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Este estudio refleja la situación económica de este país, aportando datos estadísticos de los flujos de importación, exportación e inversiones con el resto del mundo y es especial de sus relaciones bilaterales con España. En el siguiente enlace se puede acceder a la página del Ministerio de Economía desde la cual el Boletín está disponible para su compra en formato PDF: Boletín ICE 3062 abril 2015

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Noticias ICEX Nueva sede de ICEX en Madrid Le comunicamos que a partir del 6 de abril de 2015, ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones ha trasladado su sede de Madrid al Paseo de la Castellana 278. Este cambio permitirá aunar en un único edificio las cinco ubicaciones con las que la entidad cuenta en Madrid, además de dar cabida en las dependencias a las sociedades España Expansión Exterior y Cofides y englobar, en un mismo espacio físico, a todas las instituciones y sociedades dependientes de la Secretaría de Estado de Comercio dedicadas a la internacionalización. De esta forma, ICEX refuerza su compromiso con la mejora continua y la eficiencia en la prestación de servicios para el impulso de la competitividad de las empresas españolas en el exterior y la atracción de inversiones extranjeras a España.

Nueva sede de ICEX en Madrid: Paseo de la Castellana, 278 28046 Madrid Teléfono: 900 349 000 Email: [email protected] www.icex.es/contacto

Convocatoria de ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones del programa de participación en licitaciones internacionales para 2015 España Exportación e Inversiones, mediante la resolución de 22 de diciembre de 2014 convoca para 2015 la concesión de ayudas a través del programa de participación en licitaciones internacionales. Se tratan de ayudas a través del Programa de participación en Licitaciones Internacionales para apoyar la participación de pequeñas y medianas empresas españolas en proyectos en el exterior de ingeniería y consultoría y contratistas de proyectos industriales y civiles mediante la financiación de parte de sus gastos de preparación, presentación y seguimiento de ofertas técnicas en concursos o licitaciones internacionales, o de los asumidos por otras empresas que no sean pequeñas y medianas en proyectos con claro arrastre exportador cuya convocatoria se incorpora a esta resolución. Para más información consultar el siguiente https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2014-13665

enlace:

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ICEX Panorama Global, nueva plataforma de información de ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones ha actualizado su portal con un nuevo diseño y nuevas funcionalidades para facilitar un mejor acceso de nuestros usuarios a la información. Una de esas funcionalidades es ICEX Panorama Global, revista para la internacionalización, una plataforma comunicativa que unifica los contenidos que antes se difundían mediante diversos canales (Icex Informa, El Exportador, información sectorial, icex.tv, etc.). ICEX Panorama Global integra en un solo medio todas las informaciones de interés divididas en varias secciones: Noticias sobre aspectos diversos del comercio exterior (oportunidades, legislación, consumo, actualidad empresarial). ICEX Hoy. Noticias sobre actividades y eventos organizados por ICEX, así como de los servicios que éste pone a disposición de las empresas. Mundo. Reportajes en profundidad sobre países de interés para el sector exportador e inversor español. Observatorio. Temas generales concernientes a la internacionalización Mercados. Información sobre tendencias de mercado. Empresas. Experiencias de nuestras empresas en el exterior. Invertir en. Información sobre el marco para la inversión extranjera en otros países.

Confiamos en que, de esta manera, la información le resulte más accesible. En este sentido, a partir de ahora, dejará de recibir el boletín semanal ICEX Informa que será sustituido por el boletín mensual ICEX Panorama Global. Por otra parte, le recordamos que todas las novedades son comunicadas, de forma inmediata, a través de las cuentas que ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones tiene en las redes sociales.

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Nueva iniciativa: lanzamiento de Mercados ICEX . Mercados ICEX son una serie de aplicaciones móviles (apps) dirigidas a emprendedores y directivos interesados en cualquier aspecto de la internacionalización. El objetivo es desarrollar una aplicación para cada país con información actualizada de las oportunidades de negocio existentes, consejos de expertos, información legal, estudios de mercado, y casos de éxito. Actualmente, las primeras apps disponibles en Mercados ICEX son Brasil y China. Para su lanzamiento, se han elegido estos mercados por tratarse de dos destinos prioritarios para las empresas españolas. También está disponible la app para el Mercado de España, en este caso dirigida al inversor extranjero por lo que su formato e idioma es diferente al del resto de la serie. Podéis descargaros estas aplicaciones gratuitas en vuestras tabletas, tanto desde Google Play como desde Apple Store.

Nuevo servicio ICEX: Ventana Global Ventana Global es una plataforma para ofrecer información y apoyo a la empresa de manera rápida, directa y con valor añadido a través de un servicio integral y personalizado. Este servicio permite simplificar las vías de acceso a la información a las empresas con cualquier consulta sobre los servicios de todas las Instituciones que participamos en este proyecto (CESCE, COFIDES, EXPANSIÓN EXTERIOR, ENISA, ICO, CDTI, ICEX y la Dirección general de Comercio Exterior e Inversiones) con el compromiso de darles cada día un mejor servicio, con un control de calidad permanente. También se ha diseñado una aplicación gratuita, que se pueden descargar en su dispositivo electrónico. Incluimos un vídeo de presentación del servicio: http://youtu.be/O6KaOSu7zfI

Para más información: http://prezi.com/d9t6iuzxkikg/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy O llamando al teléfono gratuito: 900 349 000

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Nuevo servicio ICEX: Simulador de Costes de Establecimiento La herramienta de cálculo para su implantación en el exterior Se trata de un servicio online que permite conocer el coste aproximado de la instalación de su empresa en cualquier mercado y compararlo con otros países. Ofrece información en dos niveles: en el primero, la información gratuita permite hacerse una somera idea del mercado a través de datos de carácter general. En un segundo nivel, tras el alta en este servicio de pago, el usuario accede a la información cuantitativa sobre los gastos necesarios para crear su empresa, de acuerdo a las necesidades específicas que previamente ha configurado. Link: http://www.icex.es/icex/es/navegacion-principal/exportadoreshabituales/informacion-de-mercados/simulador-costes-deestablecimiento/index.html

Programa PYME INVIERTE (ICEX-COFIDES)

El Programa presta un apoyo integral a las inversiones e implantaciones en el exterior de las PYMEs españolas a través del ICEX y de COFIDES para la mejora de su competitividad y la cobertura de sus necesidades globales de internacionalización; mediante la facilitación del acceso a la financiación y al asesoramiento a la empresa en todo el ciclo del proyecto. (1) Asesoramiento ICEX y OFECOMES: para PYME que, previa valoración positiva sobre su capacidad de internacionalización, necesiten información de valor añadido sobre países, sectores, requisitos a la inversión, costes de establecimiento, ayudas a la inversión y financiación. Este servicio de pago se podrá dar tanto en la fase de preparación del proyecto como en la puesta en marcha del mismo por el ICEX y las OFECOMES. (2) Financiación COFIDES: para PYME con proyectos de inversión productiva o de implantación comercial en el exterior que cumplan determinadas condiciones: vocación de permanencia, estados financieros auditados y aportación financiera propia al proyecto, entre otras. [email protected] Para más información: http://www.icex.es/icex/cda/controller/pageICEX/0,6558,5518394_0_5586834_4 629930_98798,00.html

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En la página www.icex.es podrán encontrar información relacionada con los mercados de Croacia y Bosnia y Herzegovina: Información del país Servicios personalizados Relaciones bilaterales Cómo exportar a Croacia/Bosnia y Herzegovina Cómo invertir en Croacia/Bosnia y Herzegovina Información sectorial Actividades de promoción Noticias y enlaces de interés Bolsa de empleo Oficina Comercial de Croacia Dirección: Savska Cesta 41-1o, Edf. Zagrebcanka, 10000 Zagreb E-mail: [email protected]; Teléfono/s: 0038516176901/663; Fax: 0038516176669 Horario: Lunes a viernes 8:30 -16:00