4 months agoResurrection package: Gerjaliu blames Kurti for dealing with dialogue more than economy
Periskopi(5 years ago)
(5 years ago)The government Kurti II has recently presented the package for economic recovery in Kosovo, worth 420m euros, through which the initial coverage of damage caused by the pandemic COVID-19. In this regard, economic expert Safet Gerjaliu in an interview for Periscope has shown what situation Kosovo is in, like [...]
Gerxhaliu has also stressed that the Kurti Government is prioritising other issues along with the economy, for which it estimates that Kosovo cannot have any political and social stability without economic development.
Read the full interview:
Periscope: How do you evaluate the package of economic recovery of Kurti Government?
Safet GerjaliuWe understand that the 100-day government can't be a magic wand to solving problems raised by the past. In the order of the day it is true that the COVID-19 pandemic has left its tracks economicly, politically, integrate, but, above all, emotionally. And when we see a parallel of what countries in the region have done for business and citizens and how many citizens have been able to enjoy the hand of the state, truly Kosovo has far more reason for concern than to walk in peace.
Periscope: You mentioned a comparison with countries in the region. How do they stand in terms of the economic resurrection?
Safet Gerjaliu: In Montenegro, more than 1 billion and 400m euros in aid have been invested, Albania has surpassed the number of 1-3 billion aid, Macedonia as well, while Serbia has actually used pandemic from a challenge, has turned it back. Kosovo has had 2 packages since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020; that of March and October. The total of citizen assistance during this period of time has been 269m euros, so it is seen as far away, and in this direction any commitment to a new package, for concrete assistance, even to citizens and businesses, especially for economic recovery, must be welcomed and supported.
Periscope: How long do you think Kosovo will need for recovery as a result of pandemic?
Safet Gerjaliu: There are some economic indicators that have experienced a positive change, whether incomes from Dogan or from ATKA, but at the same time we have a stability in the investment of pension trust money, I believe there will be positive steps because if countries in the region need two years for recovery, and if there is no more to do for Kosovo and Kosovo business, we will need double this time and Kosovo does not have this luxury or comfort to waste time.
Periscope: Do you think Kurti's latest package of recovery will be applicable enough?
Safet Gerjaliu: I believe that this amount of money introduced is just an initial package that the economy really needs more help and must learn from the experiences of countries in the region, but if we have rule of order and law, the division of tendermania, I believe that 420m euros of assistance to citizens and businesses can be collected and that they can be in the function of a recovery from which there will be employment, production and impact on any economic indicator and it is that unfortunately Kosovo has remained among the black holes in the Western Balkans.
Periscope: Does Kurti Government have real strategies for economic recovery?
Safet Gerjaliu: In Kosovo, the programme and strategy are not voted, but the individual and the political party. In this direction a while ago, only targets were introduced, but I want to believe that in terms of the recovery package, there will be positive effects. Above all, there must be political stability because Kosovo cannot since the lack of laws suffers and lacks implementation and implementation.
Periscope: Did Government Kurt have to prioritize the economy issue?
Safet Gerjaliu: It is true that from the beginning of the mandate has been among the first priorities of inoculation and recovery, but it has to be understood that in Kosovo and Balkan realities much more happen unanticipated revolutions and, as we are seeing, the current government is doing much more to correct past actions, much more is now dealing with dialogue that has become a pressure on the international community, but one needs to understand a thing that Kosovo cannot have political and social stability without economic development and that can have particular focus.
Periscope: Which sector do you think will still remain the most damaged as a result of pandemic?
Safet Gerjaliu: A hit sector in Kosovo reflects or generates chain and negative effects, so in this direction I believe that the gastronomy sector has been more hit, but also other hackers, and all of that add to the fact that we have had an increase in imports Kosovo also suffers inflation and makes the impact of Kosovo's pandemic more inclusive.
Interviewed: K. Missini
