Croatia–Bosnia border trade boosted as key crossings gain full inspection status

Illustration (Photo: Petr Vilgus/CC BY-SA 4.0)

ZAGREB, 22 May (Hina) – The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday approved the reclassification of the border crossings with Croatia at Izačić and Svilaj, allowing them to handle all types of goods, including those requiring special inspections.

At a session in Sarajevo, members of the Council adopted a report on negotiations for a bilateral agreement on border crossings.

Council Chairwoman Borjana Krišto said the deal would speed up passenger and freight transport and should enter into force as soon as possible. It still requires ratification by both parliaments.

BIP (Border Inspection Post) status permits the transport of all goods, including those subject to veterinary and phytosanitary controls. Until now, only the Bijača–Nova Sela, Kamensko and Gradiška crossings held this status.

Svilaj lies on the Corridor Vc motorway linking Budapest and Ploče but has so far operated only as a temporary crossing.

The Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina had sought additional freight crossings to support transport companies, while authorities in the Una-Sana Canton particularly pushed for the opening of Izačić to full cargo traffic.