Kosovo's Economic Oda calls for reopening economy

Kosovo's Economic Oda called on Saturday to start reopening some of the economic activities suspended due to emergency measures for preventing the spread of corruption.

The measures have already caused major damage to the economic sector, and according to the International Monetary Fund, Kosovo's economy is expected to shrink by the consequences of pandemic.

Kosovo's Economic Ode Chairman Berat Rukiqi, presenting some of the ideas for overcoming the situation, said the reopening would have to begin with Pristina since it represents over 50 percent of the country's economy.

“We think that Pristina should leave quarantine as of next week, while at the Kosovo level as well as from next week to begin sectors that have low security and where the situation can be well managed including social distance, security protocols, deinfectation, so that sectors such as construction and the rest that are not allowed because of restrictions”, said Mr. Rukiqiqi.

He said it is important to introduce the means of emergency package in circulation, a 180m-euro fund approved by the Kosovo government, while presenting several steps for the way some economic activities are opened.

“During May, all sales should be initiated in the retail chain, our proposal is to allow this to be allowed in objects up to 800 square metres and this to be from the first week of May, then to enable work in the entire service sector starting in the third week of May and at the same time draw up a plan for the gradual opening of the hotel sector, restaurants and transportation by regulations, as do European states”, he said.

The third phase, according to the Kosovo Economic Ode, should include a plan for economic recovery, since according to this 98 per cent of companies in Kosovo are affected by the effects of pandemic and that it takes up to 600m euros to get businesses out of crisis.

The reopening has become a topic of discussion throughout the world affected by COVID-19, while doctors seek careful access because the virus has not yet left.

Authorities in Kosovo confirmed on Friday evening 34 new cases of affected people who took the total number of infected 19 of them have already lost their lives, while 162 have recovered.

All cases confirmed Friday are the result of contact with infected persons previously.