Delawi: Corruption hinders economic development, destroys investment

US Ambassador to Kosovo Greg Delawi said corruption represents one of the main obstacles to the country's efforts to boost economic growth and boost investments, reports Online Economy.

According to the American ambassador, this phenomenon has also caused continued delays in Kosovo's European Union integration processes (BE).

This is my favorite and most hated theme. From my first day here corruption has been at the top of my U.S. list as a matter we have to deal with. I've been talking a lot about the ways corruption is a burden that cannot help raise the business community if it doesn't go away destroy investments”, he said.

“Corruption undermines the entrepreneurial spirit, progress in developing the economy. Let's ask for more arbitration for the solution. Strengthening rule of law is essential. It's good to have seen the prime minister's interest in treating procurement that requires greater commitment. All of you have an important role first you will fight by not participating in this activity. Corruption hides in the dark light”, the ambassador ordered.

“These are the same forces that are hampering the country's growth and development. You may be competitive, but the situation in the country is very influential. I hope there's more cooperation. These are statistical data showing that in countries where there is corruption, businesses are faced with cost 10 percent higher”.

Former Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga said that despite the great importance of fighting corruption for Kosovo, the dynamics with which this issue is addressed leave little to be desired, the EO reports.

This term has unfortunately become a key word when Kosovo is mentioned. Corruption rates have created a bad image for Kosovo and is hampering all areas. If we look at perceptions of corruption, we see how Kosovo still steps to eradicate this phenomenon. This weakens confidence in the” institutions.

“As I follow international investors are reluctant to view Kosovo as a potential place for their investments. We need to take measures as soon as possible in transparency and regulation of public procurement. Procuration irregularities to institutions have alarming data on the field situation. It's a vicious circle we can get out of because of the lack of political will to fight”.

She said there is no courage to investigate high-level corruption.“. It lacks courage to report and investigate high-level corruption. Representatives of institutions must pledge zero tolerance against corruption”.

Arian Zeka, chairman of OECA, said local businesses have a key role to help combat this phenomenon.

The “Zingier of fighting corruption continues to stall. Court decisions do not discourage corrupt people from getting involved in corrupt circumstances. We have launched an area in businesses across the country regarding the role they have in fighting corruption. Tens of suspended ATK and customs officials are the best indicators, and all these are cases worth reporting”.

“Corruption-free environment is the best incentive to attract investments. In addition to moral obligations, businesses must exclude corruption from their business acts. We must raise our voices against those who obstruct the country's overall development”, Zeka said.

Fighting corruption and organised crime has also been set as criteria for visa liberalisation.

How much this criterion was met days ago in Kosovo, Natalia Apostolova at the meeting with the LDK parliamentary group, said they have never said the criterion for fighting corruption has been met, but that good work has been done. According to her, the EU expects judicial processes for fighting corruption to end with bias.