On 26 March 2025, the first constitutive session of the Council for the Development of Trade of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was held in the building of the Government of the Federation of BiH in Mostar.
At the first meeting of the Council, which acts as an advisory body to the Government of the Federation of BiH, the chair and deputy chair of this body were appointed. Assistant Minister Ms. Medina Čorda was appointed chair of the Council, while Ms. Josipa Topić from the Chamber of Economy of the Federation of BiH will serve as deputy chair. Their appointment was the result of a joint proposal by the members of the Council. Taking into account the long-standing cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Trade and the Chamber of Economy of the Federation of BiH, as well as the Chamber’s proactive role in the activities of this ministry and the fact that the Chamber has representatives in almost all working bodies formed by the Federal Ministry of Trade, it was logical that this body should also be led by employees of the ministry and the Chamber. The formation of this body is foreseen by the Law on Internal Trade of the Federation of BiH and it was appointed on the proposal of the Federal Ministry of Trade.
The members of the Council come from various sectors related to trade and economic development. Among them are representatives of the Chamber of Economy of the Federation of BiH, the Craft Chamber of the Federation of BiH, employers’ associations of the Federation of BiH from the trade sector, the branch trade union, consumer protection associations and the academic community. Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Trade also participate in the work of the Council, and the mandate of the members lasts four years.
Federal Minister of Trade Amir Hasičević told reporters ahead of the first constitutive session that the Council for the Development of Trade will deal with strategic issues of trade development, analysis of legal solutions and the socio-economic effects of adopted decisions. Special emphasis will be placed on the preparation of the Trade Development Strategy in the Federation of BiH, for which funds have been secured in this year’s budget.
The Council for the Development of Trade will continue to monitor the effects of all measures and, if necessary, propose adjustments in line with the needs of the trade sector and employees in this sector. As this was the first session of the Council, the participants concluded that in the coming period the direction of action and key measures that could improve the situation in the trade sector and protect consumer rights would be considered.
