Inaugural Visit of Ambassador Robinson to the CBBH

Governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBBH) Kemal Kozarić, Ph. D., has met today, in inaugural visit, with Principal Deputy High Representative and Supervisor of Brčko District, Ambassador H. E. Mr. David M. Robinson, who has expressed the full support of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to the work of the CBBH.

In discussion with Governor Kozarić, Ambassador Robinson pointed out that the CBBH is more than a Dayton institution and the supreme authority for monetary policy in BH - the Central Bank is the successful story of Bosnia and Herzegovina!

Expressing the support of the OHR to the Central Bank, Ambassador Robinson particularly highlighted the fact that the success of the CBBH, among other things, is a result of its political independence and autonomy.

"Continuous respect of the independence and autonomy of the Central Bank, as a protective mechanism for its efficient and effective functioning, and thus the monetary and financial stability of the state itself, must remain the basis for relating to this institution", said Ambassador Robinson.

Governor Kozarić thanked for the support of the international community to the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was during these years unquestionable and very important. The Governor, during the discussion, pointed out the fact that the banking sector is stable, well capitalized, and that at this moment the biggest problem is with the non-performing loans (NPL), which amount to 15.47% of the total loans.

In the period ahead, it is possible to expect a noticeable deteriorating of the quality of the loan portfolio in the sectors of agriculture, transport and communications, due to the fact that these sectors have suffered significant damages due to natural disasters that have affected BH in 2014.

Governor Kozarić stressed that a slight GDP growth is expected in the next year, as well as that he hopes that the newly elected government in BH will be dedicated to Euro-Atlantic integrations, economic issues, job creation and creation of a better environment for domestic and foreign investors.