Radovanovic: International actors should check if the agreement to lift the ban on the import of Serbian goods has been circumvented

Aleksandar Radovanovic, Head of the Center for Regional Cooperation at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, tells Kosovo Online that although the ban on imports of Serbian finished goods to Kosovo was formally lifted, international actors should check whether this agreement has been circumvented.

“The actions of Kosovo Customs, which involves halting operations for up to two days and trucks waiting up to two days at the crossing for customs procedures, is discouraging for businesses on both sides. Unfortunately, these actions by Kosovo Customs do not reflect anything aligned with CEFTA, green corridors, or agreements made with international actors,” Radovanovic said.

He notes that before the ban was imposed, around 250 trucks crossed the Merdare checkpoint daily.

“Since the ban on Serbian finished goods was lifted, traffic has drastically slowed, given that Kosovo Customs halts operations, sometimes resulting in not a single truck passing through Merdare for up to two days. It has come to a point where only about 30 to 40 trucks from central Serbia, bound for Kosovo, are crossing each day. This makes the flow of goods extremely challenging and frustrating for all parties involved, especially transporters who are hesitant to take on orders from manufacturers and clients, as they lose five days transporting goods to the Kosovo market, with some drivers spending two to three days at Merdare,” Radovanovic emphasized.

He adds that the situation has become particularly complicated regarding raw materials, which were not affected by the ban.

“Previously, raw materials could circulate at all crossings before the decision to allow Serbian finished goods, but now even they are redirected to Merdare, so now there is even greater congestion. Additionally, all transit goods loaded in central Serbia and headed toward Albania are now directed to Merdare as well,” Radovanovic said.