FBIH GOVERNMENT: FROM TOMORROW ‘LOCKED PRICES’ FOR 40 FOOD AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS

SARAJEVO, DECEMBER 14 (ONASA) – The Federal Ministry of Trade and the FBiH Employers’ Association held a media conference today at the headquarters of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the “We lock in prices” project was presented.
Assistant Minister Merima Maslo emphasized that this decision refers to 40 food and hygiene products, where the price is reduced and locked for a period of three months.
– The project officially enters into force tomorrow, December 15, and will last until March 15, 2024. A lower and ‘locked’ price has been agreed for 40 products, which will be marked with a logo created for this purpose. For small traders who want to join this socially responsible project, they have the option to choose from a list of 20 products for which they will lower and ‘lock’ the prices, she emphasized.
She added that a special protocol had been designed.
– The Federal Ministry of Trade created a protocol with clearly defined rules for participation in the project. After signing the protocol, retailers take over the logo that marks all discounted items and can use it for the duration of the project, added Maslo.
– This practically means that retailers who voluntarily participate in this project will have products from the list at maximum retail prices, but they do not all have to be from the same manufacturer. Also, stores participating in this project will have posters on their doors with a list of discounted products and the old and new prices of the products, says Maslo.
As for “small traders”, Maslo clarified how this decision applies to them.
– For small traders who want to join this socially responsible project, they have the option to choose from a list of 20 products for which they will reduce and ‘lock’ the prices, explained Maslo and added that so far over 20 large retail chains have applied.
Adnan Smailbegović, in front of the FBiH Employers’ Association, said that this project is actually proof of strong cooperation between the association and the ministry.
– After our projects with margins failed, we decided on this approach. And I hope that it will be successful, I want to thank the team from the ministry that managed to give birth to this project, which was not easy. I also want to thank the companies for their consent to this move, because they have proven their social responsibility, said Smailbegović.
He emphasized that the cooperation that exists between the FBiH Employers’ Association and the ministry should serve as a model for other levels of government as well, and that then the citizens will see better and more concrete results.
Federal Minister of Trade Amir Hasičević also addressed the conference, who thanked the Association of Employers of FBiH for understanding this project.
– Between 15-20 percent applies to this discount, which is 40 to 50 KM, for one basket. It was not always easy to negotiate, but we reached an agreement because we found good negotiators in our employers. Because we all recognized how important it is that this team now exists, which will be able to respond to various unforeseen situations, said Hasičević.
– We traded with the merchants in these negotiations, and as they met us, we also met them. This is a continuous action, and what we have taken in our position with the Government is that there are no out-of-the-box solutions, but it is necessary to negotiate with the involved parties and come up with solutions for the benefit of all, added Minister Hasičević.
– I also want to thank the 20 retail chains that agreed to work on this. We are witnessing that inflation is largely imported, because we are an importing country after all. And because of that, I am obliged to announce that we will come up with a plan that will benefit our traders, the minister emphasized.