Corruption, tariffs hinder Albania's trade growth -Kosovo

Despite these figures, Albania remains third in the region in terms of trade exchanges with Kosovo. Serbia is first and then northern Macedonia.

The business community in Albania and Kosovo says the untapped potential between the two countries is at least twice as high. But what prevents that potential?

Studies by the GAP Institute, the Riinvest Institute, as well as by the Albanian Centre for Competitiveness and International Trade identify several factors.

First, the two economies display structural weaknesses. One of the main problems is the enormous focus of trade, where only 4-producing groups account for over 80 percent of the trade flow.

Corruption, informality, low level of education and industrial development in both countries are other stumbling factors.

Other reasons are high transport costs, burdened by road tariffs, customs of notification, duration and frequent and excessive inspections; 22-euro scanning fees in Durres, parking fees, pesing, and disparity excises against some of the products.

Part of these obstacles are removed if the signed agreements between the two governments are implemented in practical practice. In the same studies it turns out that less than half of the goals set by the two governments have been accomplished in the field of economic and commercial co-operation, 36 percent of them have been accomplished in part, 9 percent have not been accomplished, and for three objectives no information has been provided. /Euronews Albania