According to Customs data, Kosovo has imported over 200 million euros of goods from Albania this year. But Kosovar products are almost half less present in the Albanian market. From January to October of this year, Kosovo exported 105 million euros of goods to Albania
Albania is Kosovo’s main partner for the import and export of goods from the CEFTA countries, leaving behind North Macedonia and Serbia. According to Customs data, Kosovo has imported over 200 million euros of goods from Albania this year. But Kosovar products are almost half less present in the Albanian market.
From January to October of this year, Kosovo exported 105 million euros of goods to Albania. Emanuel Bajra, connoisseur of financial markets, said that there is an increase in cooperation between the two countries in all fields.
“The end of 2023, the year 2024 has been a record in the frequency of commercial exchanges between the two countries, there is a large presence of Kosovar investors in Albania, especially in the field of tourism, energy, real estate, which is expected, because Albania it is a touristic place”, he emphasized.
But Bajra said that strategies should be found between the two countries so that the trade relationship is more encouraging and more equal.
“We must identify these two balancing points in order to make the inter-Albanian economic exchange and consolidation more dynamic, more favorable for both entities. Let’s not empty Kosovo and not damage Kosovo’s economy, because the focus will be on Albania anyway, but on the other hand, let’s not let Albania turn into a ground of economic seasonality. My concerns are rather in this equality of trade exchanges”, said Bajra.
Until recently, among the CEFTA countries, Serbia was the country from which Kosovo imported the most. But from June of last year until October of this year, Kosovo has implemented security measures against Serbian goods, with the exception of raw materials and semi-products needed for final production.
According to Customs data, this year Kosovo imported 77 million euros of goods from Serbia, while it exported 36 million.
Fidan Qerimi, professor of economics, has listed some of the reasons why Kosovo’s economic orientation has been more towards Albania in the last year.
“The new trade policies between Serbia have been around 10 percent effective. The main factor has been the increase in the amount of goods traded between Kosovo and Albania. Some 25 to 30 percent of this change in value is inflation, which means we’ve had price increases. Likewise, the improvement of the commercial infrastructure has also had an impact, and these are the reasons why there has been a change in the volume of commercial exchange between Kosovo and Albania”, he emphasized.
North Macedonia is the second country in the region, both for export and import of goods. From this country, Kosovo imported goods worth 180 million euros, while it exported 75 million less.
