TIRANA, Dec 21 /ATA/ Minister of Finance and Economy, Delina Ibrahimaj, stated on Tuesday that the “Open Balkan” initiative will result in increased economic cooperation between the countries due to streamlining of procedures and reduction of a number of tariffs.
Ibrahimaj participated in the Agriculture and Regional Cooperation Forum, which is taking place in the framework of the “Open Balkan” initiative meeting in Tirana.
“We have worked intensively to identify all trade barriers, which cause delays for businesses. We have identified today some non-tariff agreements that will facilitate the border crossing, customs inspections, services and phytosanitary inspections “, said Ibrahimaj.
According to her, the proceedings of today’s forum also focused on the tariffs applied during trade exchanges.
“In the next two months, work will continue to reduce these tariffs. Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia have agreed that the customs services work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the customs points. Businesses have also made this clear to us”, informed Ibrahimaj.
She stressed that work is ongoing with North Macedonia to draft a protocol on a single border point in Qafë Thanë.
According to Minister Ibrahimaj, the agreement on recognition of authorized economic operators (AEO) was signed on the sidelines of today’s meeting.
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