Close geographically and with a common language. These are the two advantages that Albania and Kosovo, at least until now, have not used properly in the economic aspect. Trade exchanges between the countries, despite the improvement in recent years, remain at low levels.
Albanian exports to the Kosovo market reached the value of 34.2 billion lek until November, signaling that they will remain more or less at the same level as last year. But while exports can be evaluated with a passing grade in bilateral relations, in terms of imports, cooperation is significantly weak.
The data show that we import from Kosovo goods and products worth 14.4 billion lek, less than half of the value of exports. Although the progress this year has been significantly better than previous years.
But why is commercial and economic cooperation between Albania and Kosovo at such anemic levels?
While the advantages are considered to be the geographical proximity and the common language, the disadvantages are related to the political tensions of the governments of both countries. This despite several joint government meetings and signed bilateral agreements, most of which have remained on paper. Another disadvantage is consumer behavior, where Serbian goods are historically preferred in Kosovo compared to those of other countries, including Albania. While the third disadvantage is the commercial perception, where the businesses of both countries have encountered resistance to cooperation.
But it seems that there is a positive development in this direction. After the agreement was signed for the establishment of the Albania-Kosovo Bilateral Economic Chamber, which will protect the business interests of both countries. How will it affect bilateral economic cooperation? (A2 Televizion)
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MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
