Kosovo's Vetëvendosje party has raised concerns that the 100% tariff imposed on products originating from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is not being fully implemented.
Through a press conference, this political entity said that the Ministry of Finance and its subordinate institutions such as Customs and Anti-Smuggling as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Kosovo Police are responsible for allowing the smuggling of these goods. |
| Salih Zyba |
According to Vetevendosje, Kosovo Customs data on imports are incompatible with the products found in the market.
But the allegations that smuggled goods are circulating in Serbia is opposed by the Government of Kosovo. Kosovo Minister of Trade and Industry Endrit Shala in a conversation on Radio Free Europe on Saturday confirmed that there are no Serbian products on the domestic market that can be considered smuggled goods or goods that have not passed all regular customs procedures.
"Until now, despite frequent inspections in the market of the Republic of Kosovo, no merchandise can be found which can be considered smuggled goods," Shala said.
The Kosovo Government's decision on 100 percent tax on products from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina has been in effect since 21 November last year.
The United States has called on Kosovo to abolish this measure, saying it does not coincide with US interests as it has a negative effect on continuing the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. But, the Government of Kosovo, at least so far, has not been reversed by the 100 percent tax decision, which remains in force.