Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Economic Prospects and Historical Background

30 June 2021DOI: https://doi.org/10.33893/FER.20.2.148169

Author information:

Laura Kromják: Tomori Pál College, Assistant Professor. E-mail:

Abstract:

The essay discusses the socio-political challenges for the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its foreign trade in goods and services, including the Hungarian relation. The study uses descriptive tools and secondary data. Wedged in between Croatia and Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s economy is inextricably linked to the dramatic events of the past and the still unresolved social and political conflicts. Within Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina was a member state with significant export potential, but the war and ethnicisation have devastated the economy. The state administration of the Dayton system is expensive, and the foundations for capital flows, privatisation and European convergence are developing slowly. Capital flows, the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) and international aid play an important role in balancing the foreign exchange balance. A significant item reducing the negative current account balance is the amount of remittances, which is six times higher than FDI. Remittances have become the largest source of external financing, increasing dependency and exacerbating the vulnerability of the economy.

Cite as (APA):

Kromják, L. (2021). Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Economic Prospects and Historical Background. Financial and Economic Review, 20(2), 148–169. https://doi.org/10.33893/FER.20.2.148169

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Column:

Essay

Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) codes:

F14, F21, F24, F34

Keywords:

Bosnia and Herzegovina, trade balance, foreign exchange remittance, direct capital investment, EU integration process

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