IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit
comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the
author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.
IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit
comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the
author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.
Based on a new database of State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) financial statements, we find that
SOEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina are mostly in poor financial shape. We estimate the overall
size and composition of the SOE sector, and identify individual companies that affect fiscal
and macroeconomic performance. Financial analysis suggests that SOEs are not contributing
enough to the economy. We also review the SOE governance framework and find that
governments do not exercise their ownership function in line with WB/OECD guidelines.
Reforms to the governance frameworks are necessary to foster transparency and improve
accountability. More fundamental reform of the SOE sector might increase overall GDP by 3
percent per year.