Albanian businessmen concerned about SAA effects

TIRANA, Nov. 25 – The Albanian Konfindustria association expressed its concern about the lack of clear sectorial policies on the part of government authorities on the eve of the launch (Dec. 1) of the commercial agreement with the European Union in the context of the Stabilization and Association Agreement. Based on that agreement, a considerable part of customs tariffs, which are considered to have negative effects on Albanian businessmen, will be liberalized. The Konfindustria said that there is a total lack of research studies examining the ways in which domestic business and the local economy will be affected by such a move. As an example, the association said that while all products coming from EU member countries have a zero tariff, the raw materials that businesses may import from these countries will continue to have custom tariffs. This means Albanian products will have a higher cost. The Konfindustria has sent its package of demands to the government and expected them to be reflected in the 2007 budget. They say that this is the only way to support the development of the domestic economy.