Mikuriya: We want to see Kosovo's economy in a wider trade in the world

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Kunio Mikuriya has said that this OBD is interested in seeing the Kosovar economy in a trade and in the world customs system.

Mikuriya in a joint conference with the Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati emphasized that Kosovo Customs can provide greater support for medium and small enterprises and for economic development.

He said that they will continue to monitor the progress of Customs in Kosovo because, as he said, it will result in greater revenues and economic competitiveness.

"Customs has made a progress regarding the implementation of general standards. We live in a digital world and Kosovo Customs is committed to implementing digitalization through the single window program. What is important, we have discussed, is the continuous political support for customs reforms. So we are looking at how to provide support capacity for human resources in customs, which will further enable the business environment. Customs can provide support to Small and Medium Enterprises and economic development. We want to see the Kosovar economy in a more global trade and customs system through membership and cooperation", he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Murati emphasized that he has informed the secretary Mikuriya about the reforms that the state of Kosovo is making in terms of customs.

Murati also said that Kosovo has made progress in recent years in increasing the collection of revenues from customs, as well as in the fight against smuggling.

"During the meeting, I informed the secretary about the achievements we have had in recent years in increasing the collection of customs revenues, as well as about our successful fight against smuggling and illegal activities throughout the country, which has also resulted even with higher incomes. I also informed him about the good performance in terms of the increase in exports and the diversification of the base of products that are exported from our country, and the increase in production capacities. I also informed him about the changes and reforms we are making as a state, including the new Customs and Excise Code, which will be in line with EU directives. As well as for other processes related to digitization, with the single national window that will ease procedures and bureaucratic administrative barriers for businesses, as well as for the steps we have taken to return the customs terminals to state ownership", Murati emphasized.

This is the first time that a representative of the OBD visits Kosovo, since Kosovo's membership in this organization in 2017. /KP/Telegrafi/