The European Union in BiH has recently presented the “Compact for Growth and Jobs”. In your opinion, what do you see as the tasks of the new government following the elections in october?

Danijela Vinš,  Zenica

The new government, like all those before it, will only pay lip-service to any reform agenda and undertake superficial initiatives that will not address economic growth or the problem of unemployment. More or less all political parties have – on paper – some serious plans. But in reality not even one of them aims to turn paper into practice. The solution is very simple. Everything is possible but only if everyone stops using subjective criteria such as origin, political or religious affiliation as criteria in economic or employment decisions. No decisions are being made based purely on merit. One reform could be: hire people who are able to actually do the job, and make unlawful any use of subjective criteria.

Aleksandra Savić,  Mostar

The newly elected government should focus on supporting private initiatives and the NGO sector. Also, it is necessary to increase domestic and foreign investment, reform the public sector and undertake specific initiatives to support rural development and cultural tourism. A reform agenda should prioritize initiatives to improve the investment climate. Investors are put off by the administrative jungle they have to fight through and all the fees they must pay before they can realise any of their investment plans. The public sector has to be reduced in size. Finally, in addition to the necessary restructuring of unprofitable organizations and industry, it is necessary to focus on the comparative advantages that BiH has in relation to the environment and economy of Europe, and those are definitely rural development and tourism, particularly cultural tourism.

Nikola Čvoro, Pale

Considering that the only way to reduce unemployment and revive the economy is through foreign investment, the first thing that must be achieved is political stability and setting aside of petty politicking. Only in this way can a stable investment climate be achieved. Ease of doing business must be improved. It should be easier to start companies. All the red tape has to be cut.

Europa.ba