Kosovar Businesses Complain of Bribery

07 November 2008 Pristina – A recent study finds that bribery is an unavoidable part of doing business in Kosovo.

The study was done by the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo. The head of the chamber, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, said that the research clearly illustrated “that the question of corruption is a very significant problem.”

The research report, titled “The Influence of Corruption in Kosovo’s Business Community” is based on a survey involving some 550 businesses in Kosovo. Half of them said the only way to pursue their business activities was by bribing officials.

Corruption has been identified as very extensive in Kosovo, endangering the function of the country’s institutions and the economy as a whole. The report emphasizes how troubling these facts are for the country.

Kusari-Lila insisted that measures need to be taken quickly so that corruption does not become accepted and form part of Kosovar business etiquette.

She also stated that the judicial system needs to be more efficient as the disposition of cases takes a very long time, sometimes up to six years.

Vice Prime-Minister Hajredin Kuci said that Kosovo’s businesses are partners with the government in achieving economic growth, and political development.

“A major priority of the Government of Kosovo is the fight against corruption, organised crime, and other occurrences. Losses are detected in the economy,” he said.