Kosovo marks export growth

Even in the following year, Kosovo has seen export growth. Compared to 2017, which had 289m euros in export, during 2018 Kosovo has exported over 300m euros. This data points to a 4.2 percent increase in export.

Kosovo mostly exports metal, metal waste and mineral products. In recent years the export of both alcoholic and nonalcohol beverages has begun to vary greatly. States where Kosovo exports most continue to be those of the region, such as Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.

These data have been disclosed by Kosovo Customs spokesman Adriatic Stavileci.

This year at Kosovo's export, we have seen a positive development again, is the third or fourth year we are regularly seeing very positive developments in terms of export growth. Although this growth may not be that satisfying, however, when growth annually is about 4 per cent or 5 per cent then positive development. If last year by the end of November we have about 289m euros of exports, this year we have over 300 million exports, meaning that we have a 4.2 per cent increase in exports”, Stavileci has announced.

Last year, according to Stavilec Kosova has also begun exporting food products.

“The products which are exported are metal, metal waste, then mineral products. However, many have also begun to access various alcoholic beverages, such as nonalcoholics, that is, ready products known as quality exports, exports of the non-principle product, or not of minerals. Also, various products of prepared foods have begun to be exported, as well as vegetable products”, it is expressed.

Besides Dogana, export data has also published the Kosovo Statistics Agency.

The chief of the economic and foreign trade statistics division at ASS, Ismajl Sahiti, has said the export in 2018 has marked increases compared to the same period in 2017.

“Export structure is usually unchanged, the main value may be electricity, then it's articles like iron waste, drink, plastic items. Mainly plastic waste is all... the countries with which it exports mostly are the countries of the region, with Albania, with Macedonia, Serbia, mainly with the countries of the region”, has announced Sahiti.

However, the chairman of the Kosovo Economic Ode, Berat Rukiqi, says this export growth is not enough.

“has a tendency to increase exports, but not one that enables the economy to have impacts or commercial balance to reduce this gap between export and import. What we need after as priority policy in the economy is export support, because not only does it enable statistically or technically reduce trade balance is helping create jobs and helps replace many import products”, Rukiqi has declared.

A pledge for greater support for local producers to export more has been awarded by Minister of Trade and Industry Andrew Shala. He has said that the focus of work has the empowerment of local producers.

The “we consistently mark export growth, but as I said before our focus for next year is empowering local producers. Our focus is on helping the local producer improve their product quality, and with that we can also achieve the possibility of our products as well as export”, the minister declared.

Nora Jusuf from the GAP Institute has cited some of the reasons that have influenced export growth.

“Arsyet may be different, there may be greater production, greater awareness, maybe even different conveniences of passing goods. Last year an additional protocol number 5 with CEFTA, which would also facilitate the carrying and arrival of goods through Kosovo customs, has been discussed. However, it is pre-ordained here that information can be digitised and distributed more easily with CEFTA member states. I don't think, I don't know if this is for sure then implemented, but it also means such initiatives may have influenced export growth”, she said. / KP