Bosnia and Herzegovina: Investing

FDI in Figures

According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2023, FDI inflows to the Federation reached USD 661 million in 2022, up by 12.6% year-on-year and above the levels recorded before the pandemic. Meanwhile, the total stock of FDI was estimated at USD 9.3 billion (-1.2% on the year), around 36.6% of GDP. According to Central Bank data, as of December 2022, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 64.5% of the total FDI, amounting to EUR 5,755 million. The Republic of Srpska contributed 34.4% of the total FDI, equivalent to EUR 3,065 million, while the Brčko District constituted 1.1% of the total FDI, totaling EUR 101 million. Concerning the FDI stock by country, Austria, Croatia, and Serbia lead with EUR 1.4 billion, EUR 1.3 billion, and EUR 1.2 billion respectively. Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and Germany follow with investments exceeding EUR 500 million each: EUR 668 million, EUR 562 million, and EUR 553 million respectively. European countries remain the key investors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with investments from EU-27 countries representing 59.4% of total FDI at EUR 5.3 billion. Of the total foreign direct investments, 37.7% have been allocated to production (primary, industrial, and electricity production), with the banking sector following closely at 19.6%. Trade accounts for 14.3% of investments, while telecommunications captures 11.4% (data Foreign Investment Promotion Agency).

Bosnia and Herzegovina can offer investors low levels of corporate taxation, several well-developed industrial zones, a solid banking sector, and its strategic location. The country is richly endowed with natural resources, providing potential opportunities in energy (hydro, wind, solar, along with traditional thermal), agriculture, timber, and tourism. Major problems facing foreign investors include a lack of transparency of procedures and weak judicial structures, as well as the dual nature of the state and weak protection of property rights. Furthermore, complex labor and pension laws as well as the lack of a single economic space also hinder investment, and the business regulations and administrative procedures impacting companies vary across each of the Federation's ten cantons. Excluding some exceptions (defense industry and some areas of publishing and media, electric power transmission), foreign investors are entitled to invest in any sector of the economy in the same form and under the same conditions as those defined for residents. The Federation ranks 77th among the 132 economies on the Global Innovation Index 2023 and 67th out of 184 countries on the latest Index of Economic Freedom.

What to consider if you invest in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Strong Points

The country's strong points include:

• High tourism and energy potential
• A strategic location halfway between western and eastern Europe
• Excellent integration into the global economy with regional and bilateral free trade agreements, IMF financial assistance and stabilisation agreements with the EU
• One of the most stable currencies in the region, reinforced by a low rate of inflation and a currency directly linked to the euro
• A well-developed banking sector
• An abundance of industrial zones
• Low level of corporate taxation
• Foreign currency reserves covering more than six months of imports
• Supportive legal environment

Weak Points

Bosnia and Herzegovina still has a number of weak points:

• A structurally weak economy based on low value-added production and high dependence on its exports to eastern European countries (these countries account for more than half of the country's exports)
• The unemployment rate is high (16.85% in 2020, World Bank) and the poverty rate of the population is higher than the regional average
• A complex legal and regulatory framework with a country divided into two government entities, which thus considerably slows down the implementation of necessary reforms
• Very high external debt (16.6 billion in 2019 - World Bank, latest data available)
• A lack of transparency in commercial procedures, in particular in regard to public tenders
• High emigration and high youth unemployment (33.8% in 2019 - World Bank, latest data available)

Government Measures to Motivate or Restrict FDI

Bosnia and Herzegovina has made significant efforts to open its economy to foreign investors. The main initiatives include a State Foreign Investment Policy Law, the establishment of a foreign investors' support fund and a uniform trade and customs policy.

The main provisions established by the Government include :

• Equal treatment of foreign and national investors
• The establishment of free trade zones
• Investor protection by prohibiting nationalisation or expropriation of property
• The ability for foreign investors to freely employ foreign nationals
• Foreign investors are allowed to, freely and without any delay, transfer overseas to the freely convertible currency the profits made following their investment in Bosnia and Herzegovina

These measures are reinforced by the country's bid for EU and WTO membership, which mandate that the country makes these changes. The reforms imposed by these institutions aim to improve the business environment by standardising and simplifying, in particular, the legal and fiscal framework.

Bilateral Investment Conventions Signed By Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina has ratified 42 bilateral taxation treaties. A list of them can be found on the Bosnia and Herzegovina page of the UNCTAD Investment Policy Hub.

Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment

Freedom of Establishment

Yes

Acquisition of Holdings

A foreign investor can hold 100% interest in the shares of a company established in Bosnia and Herzegovina, except in some cases (armament, media). Foreign investors can not hold more than 49% interest in public television and radio services.

Obligation to Declare

Foreign investors must declare in the case of an acquisition of a Joint-Stock company.

Competent Organisation For the Declaration

Registration of investments at the Municipal Court

Requests For Specific Authorisations

Foreign equity ownership of an enterprise engaged in the production and sale of arms, ammunition, explosives for military use, military equipment and public information must not exceed 49% of the equity of the enterprise. In case of investing in the above-mentioned sectors, the foreign investor(s) must obtain prior approval.

Restrictions applicable to domestic investment on account of public order, public health and protection of the environment are equally applied to foreign investment.

Investment Opportunities

Investment Aid Agency

Foreign Investment Promotion Agency of Bosnia-Herzegovina (FIPA)

Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement

Tenders Info, Tenders in Bosnia and Herzegovina
UNDP - United Nations Development Programme, Tenders & Projects from Bosnia and Herzegovina
DgMarket, Tenders Worldwide

Other Useful Resources

Foreign Investors Council (FIC) - a non-profit business association, representing the interests of foreign businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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