Bosnian region passes tight budget for 2017

Bosnia's autonomous Serb Republic passed a restrictive 2017 budget of 3.2 billion Bosnian marka ($1.7 billion) early on Saturday, up 2.3 percent from this year and with a meagre surplus which will be used to cover a mounting debt. Passing the budget was a key condition set by the International Monetary Fund to unlock cash under its 553 million euro ($576.72 million) loan deal for Bosnia. It was approved with 45 votes for and 20 against in the 83-seat regional parliament.