65m euros effect of 100% mass on products coming from Serbia, Bosnia

Thus says Kosovo Customs Director Bahri Berisha in an interview for Kosova Prees, where he added that import from these two countries has seen major declines.

Despite this decision, Berisha has said that based on government projections for 2018, Dogana has managed to meet the revenue plan according to trends in the field of imports.

“We have a positive rhythm, a positive trend, we have about 20m euros more than the same period last year. Last year we have 1 billion and 121 million, and this year we have 1 billion and 140 million. The inflow effect has also had fiscal policies that have come into force since January this year, as well as the impact of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, but also the limit of import of cars and if these are done together, it shows that the effect of all these releases is around 150m euros within”, says Berisha.

Speaking of the effects of the tax on goods of Serbia and Bosnia, Berisha has said 8m to 10m euros is the value of less imported goods from BiH.

“Initially measures 10 per cent then 100 per cent on November 21st, given last year's data for the same time period, shows that from these two countries we have over 65m euros in effects on the value of goods, which have been imported less. Of course, the effect on income is on these measures, because businesses have been unable to replace products for a short time, and the biggest effect is for the state of Kosovo, the political effect, the economic effect, when we say economics, we say it to Kosovo producers... The financial effect that has affected customs-planned revenues will be replaced by increased production capacities of our local economy”, Berisha has said.

Kosovo's customs after the government's decision has increased the level of control for the possibility of smuggling of excise goods in the northern part of Kosovo, but according to Berisha still remains challenging, because at this time organised crime networks tend to benefit from this measure.

“Veriu has been and is a challenge to Kosovo Customs, for law enforcement institutions there. Even after taking protective measures in import, so far we do not have an increased emphasis or something that is disturbing. Why would I say that? Because even law enforcement institutions -- all in Kosovo, which are present both international and local -- have increased their forces and operational units operating in these areas, with the aim of preventing smuggling. We've had some cases, but they're individual cases. It is true that every time there are changes in fiscal policy or in goods that have high taxes, which in this case even 100 per cent protection measures are in force, organised crime networks tend to benefit”, he says.

While, in terms of the quality of the derivatives, Berisha says that so far the import of fuels in Kosovo is at the level acceptable under legislation in force, because according to him, there have been few cases that have come from.

However, Dogan's director says that there is a serious danger, but some individuals can mix or manipulate derivatives inside the country.

“Control is good, import quality is good. There's a potential risk, but in minor cases there's some manipulation of oil fuel or something... The responsibility should be shared, citizens, government institutions, but all of them, to announce these phenomena at the Ministry of Commerce Inspectorate, because they have the competence of the country”, Berisha has suggested.

He has added that from January Kosovo's Customs will open an Office at the port of Durres, which will ease circulation at the border, at Vermica-Morine.