the signing of six agree- ments in Tirana, between Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia. What does that look like on the ground? “When it comes to easing mutu- al trade, these three countries have, first and foremost, harmonised the working hours of the border servic- es, which now operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Alongside that, the relevant veterinary and phytosanitary services have recog- nised each other’s documentation that accompanies goods, issued in another country. This means that there’s no longer any need to retain trucks at borders in order to sam- ple products of animal and plant or- igin. The only exceptions to this are hazardous products, which account for less than seven per cent of the total trade exchange between the three economies.” The three countries have committed to mutually rec- ognising the AEO status of “authorised economic op- erator” companies acquired in their home country? “Yes. That provides them with priority status in customs clear- ances and negotiating phytosani- tary and veterinary border proce- dures, or, more precisely, the ability to undertake all necessary proce- dures at home, submit documen- tation electronically and cross the border without being subjected to delays. We are also working to es- tablish a fast-track at border cross- ings for “Open Balkan” goods, to cre- ate conditions for mutual electronic exchange, alongside customs clear- ances and other documentation that accompanies goods, to reduce vari- ous administrative charges and ex- port and import duties etc.” What’s the next step? “The common labour market of Serbia, Albania and North Macedo- nia, i.e., the system of unified work permits, should start functioning by the end of the first quarter. Serbia has already ratified the entire pack- age of agreements from Tirana, in- cluding two that relate to free access to the region's labour market and
Marko Čadež, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and chairman of the Western Balkans Chamber Investment Forum
“Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia have resolved to build a common economic area of 11 million inhabitants, without wait- ing for others. However, viewed from the perspective of the econo- my, there’s absolutely no reason why all six economies shouldn’t jointly build an even larger common mar- ket of almost 20 million consum- ers, with fewer barriers and reduced costs for companies, and with more freedom in terms of the movement of people, goods, services and cap- ital. I’m convinced that the results of the three countries that are the first to start building this common market will contribute to the other economies of the region recognising the interest of their companies and joining the Open Balkan initiative.”
the establishing of the Open Bal- kan ID number. It is expected that Albania and North Macedonia will soon do the same. Work is current- ly underway on connecting them, i.e., on the establishing of a unified information system. Both domes- tic and foreign companies, almost half of which report labour short- ages, will gain the opportunity to find suitable workers and experts in other “Open Balkan” countries, and to employ them without the need to navigate bureaucratic procedures that have existed to date. In time, the common labour market will be completed with the mutual recogni- tion of professional qualifications.” Do you expect the remain- ing economies of the region to join the initiative soon?
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