Bosnia and Herzegovina institutions withhold data on Chinese project subcontractors

Bosnian institutions have refused to disclose information regarding subcontractors working on major infrastructure projects managed by Chinese companies. Requests for data were sent to several entities, including Autoceste FBiH, Autoputevi RS-a, the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Republika Srpska, and various hydroelectric and wind power enterprises, but most responses were negative or non-existent.

Autoceste FBiH declined to provide documentation concerning the Počitelj – Zvirovići section of Corridor Vc, citing the protection of confidential commercial interests. The agency stated that China State Construction Engineering Corporation did not consent to the release of the data, claiming it could harm the legitimate commercial interests of the company and its partners. The agency further noted that confidentiality obligations in international FIDIC contracts outweighed the public interest in this instance.

Transparency International BiH has criticized these justifications, arguing that under public procurement laws, contractors must report subcontractors and that all projects funded by public money should be subject to public oversight. Other entities, such as Autoputevi RS-a, claimed they do not possess the specific contracts between Chinese partners and their subcontractors for the Bijeljina – Brčko project.