The European Union on Tuesday published the Report for the Western Balkan countries, including Kosovo.
According to Kosovo Customs, the report assesses progress in important areas, including: the expansion of the number of public customs terminals, the reduction and removal of fees in private terminals, the increase in revenues compared to the previous year as a result of the effective fight against the informal economy, the fight against customs fraud, the strengthening of institutional and international cooperation, the implementation of measures for the protection of intellectual property, the use of advanced technology and artificial intelligence in risk management, as well as the successful recruitment of new staff that has strengthened the administrative and professional capacities within the organization.
“This progress has been achieved with the support of the Government and the cooperation with institutional and international partners, including the EU Office, the US Embassy, the British Embassy, the German Government, and other relevant programs related to the work of Customs,” the statement from Customs said.According to Customs, at the same time, the European Commission has given several recommendations for the coming year, which include: finalizing the secondary legislation for the new Customs and Excise Code; strengthening professional and administrative capacities according to merit-based principles; intensifying the fight against smuggling in cooperation with OLAF; developing digital systems and adopting the Information Technology Strategy; the complete removal of remaining fees for exporters and importers.
Customs also highlights the main areas of progress noted in the report: a significant increase in customs revenues, with over 170 million euros in additional income during 2024, as a result of the effective fight against customs fraud and the strengthening of institutional integrity. Also, the expansion of the number of public terminals and the complete removal of service fees at the vast majority of main customs clearance points has enabled a significant facilitation of trade and greater transparency.According to Customs, stronger inter-institutional and international cooperation has been achieved, including the creation of the Joint Investigation Team with the Tax Administration and the Police, as well as continued cooperation with OLAF, which has produced concrete results in the fight against smuggling.
“High results in the protection of intellectual property (IPR) with the seizure of counterfeit goods worth around 12 million euros, protecting legitimate businesses and consumers. The implementation of electronic excise stamps for tobacco and alcoholic products contributes to better market control and increased budget revenues. The establishment of the foundations for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in risk analysis systems and the business intelligence platform is an important step towards the full digitalization of customs. The efficiency of the accredited Customs Laboratory helps facilitate trade and ensure product safety. The recruitment and integration of new customs officers have strengthened the professional capacities and organizational efficiency of the institution. The installation of scanners promotes improved controls and services. Active participation in EU programs (Customs 2020) and international forums of the World Customs Organization contributes to raising professional standards and aligning with the best EU practices,” the statement said.
Customs remains fully committed to implementing the recommendations of the European Commission and advancing reforms that strengthen integrity, transparency, and efficiency in the service of the citizens and the economy of the Republic of Kosovo.
