Minister Shala: For the first time, Kosovo has proved that it is a state with a tax imposed on Serbia

Trade and Industry Minister Andrew Shala has been participating in the “Talk the Talk” debate on the subject “The tax effect 100 percent in the country's economy”.

Minister Shala said there are two reasons for imposing the tax, which have also affected the country's economy and the opening of new jobs.

“Arsyet's tax settlement are economic and political”, Shala said.

Serbia has also jeopardised the existence of the Republic of Kosovo, and national security, and we have been forced to take steps”, Minister Shala said during the debate.

The minister announced that the move towards products of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be taken away without changing the approach these two states face the Republic of Kosovo.

Serbia and Bosnia are fighting the Kosovo being and are also blocking us from foreign policy, membership through international mechanisms. And there is no reason for the move to be lifted, but it will continue until the reasons why the” measures are set, Shala said at the Riinvest College debate.

The minister said the move has influenced that many local producers have increased production, opened new jobs and increased quality of products.

Official data shows that there has been an increase in production and there have been no price hikes, except for those influenced by the international stock exchange. Kosovo's benefits, especially of producers, are great. Serbia is the first country in the region to place barriers to Kosovo since the post-war. We haven't noticed price hikes. The measure has helped and is helping to increase local production, job creation, and the establishment of quality local products”, the minister said.

The minister also warned measures against other states that are becoming barriers to Kosovo products, if they do not respect the CEFTA agreement.

The “I have warned the measures too quickly that can be taken to CEFTA countries, which have violated the agreement, will take similar measures. Soon we will also take measures for trees and vegetables to protect local production”, said Minister Shala.

The minister said the move towards Serbia and Bosnia has witnessed for the first time that Kosovo is a state and decides on its own.