Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA

$6,500 (2008 est.)

Inflation Rate

7.3% (2008 est.)

Population

4,613,414 (July 2009 est.)

Country Risk Ratings

D

Ease of Doing Business

119/181

Global Competitiveness

107/134

Country Map

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Bosnia and Herzegovina : Introduction

Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991 was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Peace Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing most government functions. The Office of the High Representative (OHR) was established to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission was to deter renewed hostilities. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR in December 2004; their mission is to maintain peace and stability throughout the country. EUFOR's mission changed from peacekeeping to civil policing in October 2007, with its presence reduced from nearly 7,000 to less than 2,500 troops.

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The goals and tasks of the Central Bank are defined by the Law and in accordance with the General Peace Agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Central Bank defines and controls the implementation of monetary policy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, supports and maintains appropriate payment and settlement systems and coordinates the activities of the country's banking agencies. This site offers information on the regulations, currency exchange, and economic statistics of the country. (Also available in Bosanski, Srpski and Hrvatski).

Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (August 2009)