Citizens want the discharge of Mimoza Kusari

In the survey of Kosovapress “Should the prime minister Hashim Thaçi discharge the minister Mimoza Kusari-Lila following the case of cement?”, 925 respondents or 62% responded that the minister Mimoza Kusari-Lila should be discharged, 468 or 32% responded that she should not be discharged and 89 or 6% responded that they do not know.

However, the decision on applying the tariff of 35% for all cement importers has caused many reactions. MPs, representatives of Kosova Chamber of Commerce, construction companies and other institutions have reacted against the decision of the minister of Trade and Industry, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, to block the import of cement in Kosova as protection measure, by applying special tariff and in this way creates the possibility of monopoly for the only cement producer in Kosova “SharrCem” and the cement producer in Albania was mainly affected from this tax. There were harsh reactions and it was requested to discharge the minister Kusari-Lila.

The decision of the minister on applying the tax on cement was considered as strange and harmful, which will create new trade barriers between Albanians. This was considered by many individuals and institutions as something that was done on purpose, not to protect the local product, but for certain interests of groups that dominate in economy and this measure is as well against the government policies for economic development.

There were as well suspicions on economic affairs on this issue. Following this decision, Kosova Customs has fined the cement production factory “SharrCem” in Kosova for tariff fraud.