The former president of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Berat Rukiqi, has raised concerns about the significant increase in imports from China, describing this trend as alarming for the country's economy and strategic security.
In a public reaction, Rukiqi emphasizes that within just four years, from 2021 to 2025, imports from China have increased by over 100 percent.
"In just four years, imports from China have increased from around 452 million euros to approximately 920 million euros," he wrote.
According to Rukić, Kosovo imports mainly cheap, low-quality goods with minimal added value from China, which have a negative impact on the local economy.
"These products harm local production, lower market standards and create short-term consumption, not long-term development," Rukiqi emphasized.
He added that beyond the economic aspect, the issue of dependence on Chinese imports also has a strategic and national security dimension, citing the fact that China does not recognize Kosovo's independence and has positions against its interests in the international arena.
"China is a hostile country towards Kosovo. Economic dependence on such a country is not only a trade issue, but a strategic and national security issue," he stated.
Rukiqi assessed that current tariffs on goods from China are inadequate and do not reflect either the strategic risk or the negative economic impact on local industry and employment.
Speaking about the steps that the next government should take, he called for a serious review of trade policies in three main directions.
"The new government should focus on replacing imports through real support for local producers, increasing exports to EU markets and friendly countries, and imposing strategic protective tariffs on Chinese goods," said Rukiqi.
According to him, one of the concrete measures should be the imposition of minimum tariffs of at least 30 percent on products imported from China. /Telegrafi/
