Yzeiraj: Removing non-tariff barriers necessary for creating regional free market

To establish a regional market, it is necessary, above all, to remove non-tariff barriers, which is the longest, most tedious, and most difficult process, but also the one that brings the most benefits to everyone, emphasized Endrit Yzeiraj, Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation of Albania.

Reminding that the European Union has long been demanding the creation of a common regional market from the Western Balkan countries, which increases economic potential, Yzeiraj points out for Kosovo Online that a transitional period is needed for countries to prepare for EU accession.

In this regard, he notes that the biggest barriers in the economy relate to licenses, certifications, and product standardization.

"When we talk about regional integration and cooperation, we only mention trade. We talk about tariff reduction, about creating a free economic zone... In fact, that's just the tip of the iceberg. In technical terms, they are called 'tariff barriers,' and lowering them helps products move easily from one country to another," Yzeiraj stressed.

He added that the biggest barriers in the economy are non-tariff ones, relating to any kind of license, certification, standardization...

"To create a common regional or European market, removing these barriers is the longest, most tedious, and most difficult process, but also the one that brings the most benefits. Only this allows the free movement of goods, services, and capital, without obstacles. The region long ago removed tariff barriers to facilitate trade. However, many non-tariff barriers still exist. We are trying to achieve recognition for some products through laboratory analyses from different countries. Also, obtaining certificates from companies and service agencies from one country to another is still a problem," Yzeiraj said.

According to him, the removal of one of the most important non-tariff barriers begins on March 1 with the implementation of the Free Market Access Agreement.

"This agreement was signed two years ago and is now coming into force. With it, citizens have the opportunity to register in each of these countries as if they were in their own. With this application, they can work for up to two years, and then they must renew it. The application must be submitted within 90 days, but they do not need other procedures, as it was before," Yzeiraj explained.

He emphasized that citizens of Serbia and North Macedonia can register via the digital platform e-Albania, while citizens of Albania will have access to the digital platforms of the governments of Serbia and North Macedonia.

"The advantage is the creation of a larger market – an architect, programmer, accountant, or lawyer from Albania can work freely in the Western Balkan countries... Albania aims to attract talented professionals to its market, which would increase the quality of our products or services. The good thing about free trade is precisely that the quality of services and products increases in each country," Yzeiraj concluded.