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This report compares the implementation of corporate governance recommendations in Bulgaria and Bosnia & Herzegovina, highlighting the challenges faced by both countries. It also suggests areas for improvement in the legal framework, enforcement, transparency, and disclosure. The report emphasizes the need for reform in the judiciary system and the development of capital markets.
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Review of the Reporton the Progress of Implementation of the White Paper on CG in Bulgaria and Comparison with Bosnia & Herzegovina
Two countries different in many aspects; • Complex structure and organization of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina; • Two countries are in different phases of transition; • Unlike B&H, Bulgaria does not have two corporate governance systems; • Bulgaria has made an effort to actually implement the White Paper recommendations or at least to analyze it. Hard to Compare
Similarities • Legal framework that defines corporate governance system is relatively good and it is being continuously improved; • Lack of implementation and enforcement of the existing legislation; • Inefficient judicial system that needs to be reformed; • Absence of involvement of private sector;
Regulatory institutions with broad powers to monitor, investigate, • enforce and render fines; • Weak investigative capacity of regulatory institutions; • Securities Commission in Bulgaria took a leading role in creation of • legal framework for sound corporate governance; • Capital markets small and underdeveloped with little means to impose, • monitor and enforce good corporate governance standards; • Courts lack resources and expertise and not capable of ensuring • efficient enforcement of laws and regulations and creation of • appropriate environment for functional, efficient and reliable corporate • governance system. Institutional Framework
International Accounting Standards (IAS) are being • gradually introduced – Accounting Law in Bulgaria • provides for full application of IAS; • Accounting Law in FB&H in contradiction with • Accounting Standards and other legislation – Situation • in RS much better; • No supervisory body that will set up quality standards • and properly monitor accounting and auditing • profession; • Weak audit and accounting practices; Transparency and Disclosure
Transparency and Disclosure II • Bulgarian legal framework brought up to a satisfactory standard, but applicable only to one segment of companies; • Indirect and beneficial ownership well defined but information about it difficult to obtain; • Securities Commission has not done much to enforce provisions related to disclosure of information on the ownership structure; • Legislation setting requirements for disclosure of significant events much better developed in Bulgaria.
Transparency and Disclosure (B&H) III • Information about the identity of large shareholders (over • 5% or 10% of shares) is not disclosed. • Information about management compensations is not available • Financial reports are not easily available to shareholders and potential investors but one can access them on request and at a price • Financial statements do not accurately and correctly represent companies’ financial positions and business performance.
Instead of Conclusion Both countries faced with problems of law enforcement, efficiency and low capacities of regulatory and self-regulatory organizations and judiciary system; Capital markets are still in development phase and have questionable power (or lack of incentive) to impose, monitor and enforce standards of good corporate governance The new regulation imposed only to companies which shares are traded on capital markets and their number is not large. An effort should be made to impose these regulations to non-listed companies too.
Instead of Conclusion Changes in legislation took place just recently and there was not enough time to see what consequences and what impact on improvement of corporate governance they will have in practice; Focus should be shifted to reform of judiciary system in order to improve implementation and law enforcement; Build capacities of all institutions that are of significant importance for functioning of corporate governance system; Focus on development of capital market, increase trust of general public and companies in its operations and make capital markets valuable source of financing for companies