(ANSA) - TRIESTE, MAY 26 - 84.7% of entrepreneurs in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, whose companies have strong trade relations
with Italy, expect at least a 20% reduction in income due to the
coronavirus crisis, according to the study "Battling Covid-19:
Perspectives from the Italian Companies in BiH", based on a
survey reporting the answers of 51 companies and presented today
during a webinar promoted by the Italian Embassy."Italian
companies in Bosnia - said Ambassador Nicola Minasi - play an
important role, Italy is the second-biggest trading partner and
local employees in Italian companies amount to around 12,000
people. What happens to Italian companies is decisive for the
economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study gives important
indications of the difficulties and opportunities seen by our
companies, which are valid for the whole economy."According to
the study, conducted by Jasmin Hošo of the "School of Economics
and Business" of the University of Sarajevo, 66.7% believe that
their business is threatened by the coronavirus crisis. 54.3%
expect a 30% higher drop in revenueS, 30.4% a drop between 20
and 30%.Currently 3,895 out of 8,720 employees are on forced
leave. Without government aid, 40% of businesses think they can
survive for 60 days, 31.3% for 30 days. For the most part,
Italian partners are unable to support financially during the
current crisis.The annual trade exchange between Italy and
Bosnia- a statement from the embassy reported - is worth about 2
bn euros. "During this period about 15 requests from Italy were
received by our commercial office - Minasi underlined - to enter
the Bosnia and Herzegovina market even in terms of
manufacturing: they are trying to react to the crisis in Italy
by moving their production." (ANSA).
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