VIDOVIĆ: RECORD BAM 705 MILLION ALLOCATED FROM THIS YEAR'S BUDGET FOR INVESTMENTS

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 26 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Finance Minister Zora Vidović said in a SRNA podcast that the financial situation in Republika Srpska is stable and that the budget rebalance for this year has secured a record BAM 705 million for investments, the largest amount ever allocated from the budget for capital projects since the establishment of Republika Srpska.

Vidović stated that the budget rebalance has led to significant shifts on the expenditure side, primarily due to increased investments and higher allocations for salaries, pensions, veteran benefits, and social welfare benefits. "In relation to the budget planned for this year, we have increased budget investments by BAM 560 million. Total budget investments this year amount to BAM 705 million. This is the highest amount ever allocated from the budget for investments in a single year since Republika Srpska was established," Vidović emphasized. She pointed out that allocations for salaries, pensions, veterans’ benefits, and social welfare benefits have been increased by BAM 436 million. Vidović also stated that the budget rebalance has secured significantly higher funds for pensioners, veterans, families with children, and social welfare beneficiaries, adding that all obligations will continue to be paid regularly and without delays. She also said that the new fiscalization process has fully met expectations, and that its implementation has significantly reduced the grey economy, and that recorded turnover in Republika Srpska has practically doubled. "We are extremely satisfied with fiscalization. The very fact that in 2023, before fiscalization, reported turnover was around BAM 11.3 billion, while in 2025 it exceeded BAM 23 billion, speaks for itself," Vidović said. She also said that the Management Board of the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH has finally adopted solutions enabling VAT refunds on the purchase of a first property, but warned that placing BiH on the MONEYVAL grey list could negatively affect investments and the country's credit rating. A new episode of the SRNA podcast, featuring Republika Srpska Finance Minister Zora Vidović as a guest, will be available tomorrow at 10:00 to users of the service, as well as on social media platforms and the agency's YouTube channel.