Constant growth of the metal and wood sector in BiH despite the challenges

In 2022, the entrepreneurs of the wood and metal industry faced numerous obstacles, the biggest of which were the rise in the prices of raw materials and energy sources and the inflationary crisis, but despite this they recorded positive results.

The Director of the Sector for Industry and Services of the FBiH Chamber of Commerce, Almin Mališević, said that these sectors have been achieving very good results for years, and that it can be safely said that they are the pillars of Bosnia and Herzegovina. economy. He added that in 2023, the world market is expected to stabilize the prices of raw materials.

The metal industry of Bosnia and Herzegovina exported more than 5.8 billion KM in eleven months last year, and compared to the same period in 2021, the growth is 32 percent. Mališević added that in 2022, the number of workers also grew, reaching 40,000. The participation of the metal industry in the total B&H. 34 percent is exported, and the most important export market is the European Union.

When it comes to the timber industry of Bosnia and Herzegovina, goods worth 2.8 billion KM were exported in eleven months last year, and compared to the same period in 2021, exports grew by 20 percent. 30,000 workers are employed in the timber industry of BiH and the number will grow in the course of 2022. Also, the most important export market is the European Union.

“The accelerated outflow of the productive workforce, including entire families, is a growing problem. Without people, it will be very difficult to achieve the results achieved in the last few years. The outflow of labor force can stop the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina. economy and it is necessary to work on improving the living and business environment as well as the general situation in BiH”, said Mališević.