The Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kushtrim Ahmeti, spoke about the consequences of the increase in oil prices in Kosovo due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Ahmeti, invited to “FIVE” in Dukagjin, warned about the immediate consequences of the increase in oil prices and their impact on the country’s economy.
According to Ahmeti, companies importing energy products from the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz, and Asia have received information that prices will double.
“We have all seen that the first consequences are the increases in all fuels at the pumps, then this has influenced the increase in the price of companies that provide transportation services for these fuels. These days I have received information that all companies that deal with importing various products either from the Middle East or that pass through the Strait of Hormuz, in this case even those coming from Asia, have received information from partner companies that the price will be twice as high as they have been receiving so far,” said Ahmeti.
Among other things, Ahmeti criticized the lack of reaction from state institutions, emphasizing that so far they have not held any meetings to discuss the actions that need to be taken.
“It means that we have immediately seen an increase in prices and that there will also be prices of other products that will increase, unfortunately. So far there has been no movement in increasing inflation – we have requested from the beginning that actions be taken by the state and we should be called and discussed about the actions that should be taken. So far we have not held any meetings with institutions. The institutions have remained silent and are sitting as spectators and are not offering any solutions to this matter. We have also requested a reduction in excise duty on oil derivatives which have a great impact on our country, knowing that 100% is imported from abroad – we have requested that payments for essential products be suspended for a while, in this case for the tax that is for essential products, VAT.”
“Also, review the possibility for businesses that are facing this situation since the end of this war is not known – take some action to help businesses that may be affected. So far, no action has been taken and what we are seeing these days is that the state wants to create an authority that deals with setting prices – institutions are having the convenience of creating new agencies while the current ones are ‘making a name for themselves’. It is unfortunate the situation we find ourselves in,” said Ahmeti.
Ahmeti, among other things, stated that they have continuously offered institutions their willingness to cooperate in finding solutions so that citizens are not harmed.TV Dukagjini/