Kosovo continues to import raw materials from Serbia

According to Kosovo Customs data, from November 21st, when the Kosovo Government's decision was implemented, 174 trucks (145 from Serbia and 29 from Bosnia trucks), mainly raw materials for Kosovo producers, who have paid the protection tax of over 290 thousand euros (250 thousand euros from Serbia and 41 thousand euros from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

And in the same period last year, between Serbia and Bosnia in Kosovo had entered between 280 and 3000 trucks with different products, worth 35m euros. These include products made from these two states, but also international ones produced in Serbia and Bosnia, have told of Radio Free Europe, Adriatic Stavileci, spokesperson for Kosovo Customs.

Representatives of the Kosovo producers' community have indicated that customs duties on products of Serbia and Bosnia have provided its effects on Kosovo's overall economy. One of the effects, according to them, is the growth of local production.

Kosovo Producers Club Executive Director Astrit Panja tells Radio Free Europe that after the tax is introduced, local companies have claimed they have increased demand for their products and have already increased the number of workers simultaneously.

He says the Kosovo government should not back off from the tax decision, because these states have not had adequate access to Kosovo producers.

“We have requested reciprocity because of Serbia's approach to Kosovo producers. It is more important for us to have correction of the economy within Kosovo's territory. We have said in the past one of the problems was Serbia. But we also have problems with major importers in Kosovo who continue to favour import products rather than local products. But, I believe that without changing Serbia's approach to the Kosovo economy sector, especially production, then I do not recommend to the Government of Kosovo to remove this tax”, Panja said.

Unlike the Kosovo government, so far, it has not backed off from the 100 per cent fee decision, which continues to remain in force, despite the fact that this decision has sparked fierce reactions of Serbs in Kosovo and authorities in Belgrade and Sarajevo.
But international mechanisms such as the European Commission and the United States have also demanded that taxes be removed, viewing it as violating the Free Trade Agreement, known as CEFTA.

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, meanwhile, has reiterated the position that the tariff to the goods of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be lifted until the recognition of Kosovo's independence.

He has said that this stance would remain unchanged regardless of who is prime minister or minister of commerce.

And Serbia's President Aleksandar Vuciq has said talks on normalising relations between Pristina and Belgrade will continue only when the tariff is withdrawn.

He made these comments during the meeting in Brussels of leaders of the Western Balkan countries with more EU officials, which has been held at the invitation of Chief of Foreign Policy and Security of the European Union, Federica Moghrini.