CHAIRMAN OF SDP DEPUTIES’ CLUB IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF PABIH, SAŠA MAGAZINOVIĆ, SENT LETTER TO HIS COLLEAGUES, DEPUTIES IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF PABIH

SARAJEVO, MARCH 12 (ONASA) – From the Club of SDP deputies in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we received a statement from the Chairman of the Club, Saša Magazinović, which we are forwarding to you in full text:
“Magazinović told the MPs:
Hungry people expect us to cooperate
Saša Magazinović, the head of the SDP BiH deputies’ club in the BiH Parliament, presented to all fellow deputies in the House of Representatives the law exempting donations in the form of food from payment of taxes. In addition, he sent an invitation for everyone to be the proponents of this long-awaited legal solution, not only from those who run public kitchens, but also from businessmen who donate food, but above all from the end users.
Along with the law, Magazinović sent a letter to his colleagues with the following contents:
“Dear colleagues, representatives,
I believe that you are familiar with the Mozaik foundation’s initiative on amendments to the VAT Law in terms of tax exemption for food donated to public kitchens, as well as all the benefits that this amendment to the law brings with it. The current situation in which those who donate food are “punished” is paradoxical because it is financially more profitable to destroy food (approximately 5% of the value of the food is paid) than to donate it (17% VAT is paid). Estimates indicate that approximately 130 million BAM worth of food is destroyed annually.
In the answer to the parliamentary question that I sent to the Directorate for Indirect Taxation, this proposal was assessed as well-founded, and the willingness to undertake activities in terms of adequately defining legal and by-laws was expressed.
I am attaching the text of the law for your perusal, along with an invitation to be proposers together. I believe that, understanding all the political differences, it is important that we cooperate on such topics. People in a state of need, hungry people, and unfortunately there are a lot of them, expect that from us. We should be aware that in addition to the end users, with this law we also help businessmen, but also the budgets of local communities, from which money is most often allocated for public kitchens. That is why it is important to show unity because the success of the project “No one hungry, no one alone” depends on all of us, together.
I inform you that in the coming days I intend to hold a meeting regarding the Rulebook on the Implementation of the VAT Law, the amendment of which should also follow the proposed amendment to the law and define the implementation of this process in practice. This is not the competence of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but I believe that we should have information about this at the moment when we will declare about the law.
Today, when both houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina have been constituted, as well as the working bodies and when there is the consent of the ITA, I believe that the conditions for the law to enter the procedure have been met. That is why I am asking you to declare your willingness to be one of the proponents of the law and participate in the activities for the adoption of the law within the next 7 days. Of course, if there are any questions or suggestions I am available for a phone call, meeting or any other type of communication on this matter.
In the hope that we will show solidarity together, I send a sincere greeting!
Saša Magazinović” (end)