EXPORTS INCREASED, FOREIGN TRADE DEFICIT REDUCED

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 13 /SRNA/ – Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have impacted industrial and logistical flows in Europe, consequently in Republika Srpska as well; nevertheless, positive trends have been recorded in the foreign trade of the manufacturing industry in Srpska, the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship told SRNA.

The Ministry explaines this refers to an increase in the volume of foreign trade, a reduction in the foreign trade deficit, and exports growth. Regarding the state of the manufacturing industry in 2025, the Ministry states that macroeconomic indicators in this sector were affected by negative global economic trends and international geopolitical conflicts, which led to a decline in industrial production and employment. The line Ministry notes that the manufacturing industry achieved exports worth BAM 4.42 billion in 2025, accounting for 82.59 percent of the total exports of Republika Srpska. Last year’s manufacturing industry exports were 3.5 percent higher than in 2024. However, the manufacturing industry recorded a 6.4 percent decline in industrial production and a 3.3 percent decrease in employment last year. On the other hand, there has been a slight increase in the number of entrepreneurs in Republika Srpska in 2026 compared to the previous year. As of December 31, 2025, there were 25,972 registered entrepreneurs. As of March 27, 2026, that number rose to 26,389, indicating a recovery of the economy, which continues to contend with negative trends.