The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) in cooperation with the US Department of State for Export Control and Related Border Security -EXBS have organized the Conference on the Strategic Commodity Control Industry, aimed at equipping the private sector, the industry with the information, and provide necessary instruments and guidelines in order to respect the trade controls of strategic goods.
On this occasion, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Fadil Arifi, initially appreciated the efforts, transparency and willingness shown by all the representatives of the local and international institutions to achieve the objectives foreseen by the regulation of this area according to the standards and laws in force. He also praised the valuable contribution of the US Embassy in Pristina as well as the EXBS project.
Further, Deputy Minister Arifi pointed out that the trade control of strategic goods is indispensable to ensure that sensitive goods and technologies are kept away from the hands of terrorists and proliferating states for the defense of Kosovo's security interests; to limit the severity of military conflicts, and to foster investment in Kosovo's enterprises as reliable partners who exercise the right to control the advanced technology. "Building relationships in the industry sector can contribute to sound implementation, as well as awareness raising that can prevent unintentional violations and at the same time encourage industry representatives to report offenses to the state" , said Deputy Minister Arifi.
Deputy Minister Arifi, at the end of his speech, said that the Ministry of Trade and Industry, respectively its political representatives will be the main supporter of these processes, aiming to have no obstacles, but to reach the intended purpose.
Meanwhile, EXBS Regional Adviser George Clarke said that strategic goods control is about banning all prohibited materials that violate Kosovo's national security. Also, Clarke added that the US Embassy will continue to support Kosovo in this sector.
Arton Muçaj, Acting Director at the Department for Trade of Strategic Goods at MTI, announced that so far this department, in the registers, has registered 43 companies that have expressed interest for this process, which is the initial and mandatory before these companies apply and obtain a license for these kind of activities. He also said that some of these companies are applied for trading of arms and some of them for trading of dual-use goods.
Also, Mr. Muçaj informed the representatives of this sector that to apply for registration and obtaining a license for dual-use goods, the cost for such a license is of symbolic amount of 5 euros.
