The proposed budget of the Federation of BiH for 2025 includes significant increases in funding for various sectors, including infrastructure, economic support, demographic measures, and social welfare. The total budget amounts to 8 billion, 248 million, and 574 thousand BAM, which represents an increase of 773 million BAM or 10 percent compared to the 2024 budget.
Key allocations include support for flood-affected areas (50 million BAM), assistance to the economy through the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship (100 million BAM), and support for cantons and local communities totaling 301 million BAM. Major investments are planned for infrastructure, including 150 million BAM for the construction of highways and roads, 38.2 million BAM for railways, and 12 million BAM for the construction of an airport in Bihać.
The budget also allocates significant funds for debt repayment, which, including interest, amounts to 1.368 billion BAM. This financial strategy aims to improve all sectors of life in the Federation of BiH, with a focus on strengthening the economy, infrastructure, and raising the standard of living for citizens.
Federal Finance Minister Toni Kraljević, speaking about the proposed budget, emphasized that while some may call it a conservative budget, he sees every budget as a challenge in terms of execution, noting that all budgetary allocations for 2024 were fully implemented without the need for a budget revision. He highlighted the positive impact of the proposed budget on all sectors of life in the Federation, citing the increase in the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy's budget from 471 to 592 million BAM, which includes areas like child allowances and parental caregivers, and 407 million BAM for the Ministry of Veterans.
Federal Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić also addressed the budget proposal, particularly focusing on healthcare. He reminded that, despite the completion of the Health Institutions Financial Consolidation Act, 45 million BAM has been allocated for healthcare. Furthermore, with food production becoming a dominant economic issue, a record amount of 183 million BAM has been earmarked for agricultural support, with Nikšić emphasizing the synergy with agricultural associations.
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