Minister of Trade and Industry, Endrit Shala, held a conference for the end of the year and presented the achievements of 2018 and next year’s objectives.
Shala emphasized that 8 Laws, 20 Administrative Instructions, 6 MTI Regulations, 4 Administrative Instructions, 1 Government Regulation and 4 Ordinances have been sponsored.
The Minister said that in 2018 priority was given to the protection of domestic producers, support to Small and Medium Enterprises, growth of export, consumer protection, inspection reforms and fulfilment of obligations deriving from the SAA.
Shala has also spoken about the protection of domestic producers by mentioning the decisions that have been taken.
“The decisions we have taken prove that priority was given to domestic producers. Upon implementation of the Law on Anti-Dumping and the Law on Safeguarding Measures, we have imposed fees for fruits and vegetables, blocks and flour. Initially, I have imposed a tax of 10% on products originating from Bosnia and Serbia, which then increased to 100% and will continue to remain in effect for all such products. These decisions taken by MTI have directly affected Kosovo's producers and farmers and the economy of our country in general. Due to these decisions, it has been noted an increase in new jobs, greater coverage of local market with local products and an increase in the quality of local products”, emphasized Shala.
The Minister stressed that support was also shown to Small and Medium Enterprises during 2018, where grants in the amount of EUR 1.6 million were allocated.
“We have allocated EUR 1.6 million to 35 domestic manufacturing companies. Upon distribution of these grants, we expect the establishment of hundreds of new jobs, increased quality of domestic production and increased export over the next year. We have created better conditions for SMEs by investing in the existing economic zones, such as the investment of EUR 2.4 million in the economic zone in Suhareka and the investment of EUR 1.6 million in the economic zone in Vitia. We are in the process of selecting the economic operator for the commencement of works in the economic zone in Vushtrria. We have established the economic zone in Malisheva, where, in the following year, we are looking forward to starting the construction procedures for this zone. We have also established a business incubator in the same municipality”, said Shala.
The Minister stressed that during this year, in addition to the protection of domestic production, particular attention was also given to the creation of conditions for increasing the export of domestic products outside Kosovo.
“Therefore, the participation of 33 Kosovar exporters was subsidized in 9 international fairs during this year, where over 220 Kosovar products were exhibited and promoted. As a result of participation in these fairs, 33 export pre-contracts have been signed and the companies managed to penetrate into 3 new markets”.
The Minister emphasized that they have been extremely committed to consumer protection during this year and therefore ordinances for the inspectorate were issued.
“We have taken several actions which show concrete work towards consumer protection, such as the Ordinance to ban the sale of tobacco and alcohol to people under the age of 18, the Ordinance for product labelling, and we have withdrawn from the market products that do not refer to Kosovo as a country. Today, we have issued the Ordinance that obliges fuel vendors to place tables at their entrances showing prices of products”, said Shala.
Shala said that controls were initiated for economic entities on bread weight and its declaration, and punitive measures have been taken wherever problems have been encountered.
“Toys' samples that are traded in our country were sent for analysis. Upon receiving the analysis results, 17,000 pieces of toys were destroyed and the import of over 18 contingents with such toys in our country was banned. This has a direct impact on the health of our children. During this year, we have taken a Decision for the deployment of Kosovo quality companies and for the establishment of the National Quality Centre. In the following year, the deployment of these agencies will commence and the project in the amount EUR 14 million, granted by the World Bank, will be implemented”, said Shala.
The Minister has pointed out that the number of market inspections has increased by 150% compared to last year, that over 1,502 inspections have been carried out for economic operators in the private sector and that for 12 months, over 436 samples of liquid petroleum were taken in the domestic market with the aim of verifying the quality of these products and that 230 out of 436 samples were taken while he was appointed as minister, i.e. from 1 October 2018 until today.
“More than 204 customer complaints have been reviewed, which have largely been grounded, and thus have been put in the favour of the customers, and this implies an increased trust of citizens in institutions. Further, 121 fines were imposed against economic operators who failed to comply with the applicable laws in the Republic of Kosovo, and 45 procedures were initiated in the competent courts”.
The Minister said that state inspections are essential components of a modern regulatory state and should be focused on the implementation of laws and regulations, but should never be an administrative burden for the private sector in Kosovo.
“MTI is engaged in reducing administrative burden and simplifying business permits and licenses. Currently, in Kosovo, there are about 460 various permits and licenses issued by various central and local institutions. MTI will be the first institution to initiate the process of simplifying these permits and licenses through the regulatory process and will eliminate those who are duplicated (or excessive) in order to influence the continuous improvement of the business environment. With the support of the IFC project (World Bank) funded by the Swiss Government “Improving the Investment Climate in Kosovo”, MTI is coordinating the process of inspection reform throughout the Republic of Kosovo”.
Shala also talked about the fulfilment of obligations arising from the SAA, where, according to him, MTI has been and is committed to fulfilling all obligations arising from the Stabilization and Association Agreement.
“In this regard, all departments and agencies within the MTI have done extraordinary work and therefore today I am pleased to say that we have realized 74% of the criteria foreseen for this year”.
The Minister stressed that for the first time in the history of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the budget this year was realized at the rate of 93 per cent.
The Minister said that in 2019, particular focus will be paid to the petroleum products market. “Particular focus will be paid to the alignment of the new law with the EU standards and directives, but also to the drafting of criteria for the purpose of increasing the quality of petroleum products in the domestic market”.
