Kosovo joins the ATA Carnet system, Spahiu explains benefits for businesses

The Kosovo Chamber of Commerce has announced that the country has been admitted to the international ATA Carnet system, which enables the temporary movement of goods and opens up new opportunities for local companies in markets outside Kosovo.

Economic expert Muhamet Spahiu welcomed this development, saying the mechanism helps facilitate trade and reduce administrative barriers for Kosovo businesses.

According to Spahiu, the benefits may be most apparent for companies that take part in international trade fairs and exhibitions, as well as those that send equipment or samples abroad.

He said that such a facilitation should have been introduced years ago, but described the development as a positive, albeit belated, step. For a small economy such as Kosovo, he said, any mechanism that reduces administrative barriers and business costs is important.

Speaking to “Bota sot,” Spahiu stressed that ATA Carnet represents a concrete step toward facilitating trade and integrating Kosovo businesses into international markets.

However, he made it clear that the system does not itself generate economic growth. Its role is to simplify economic activity and create new opportunities, particularly for companies that participate in fairs and exhibitions or operate with equipment and samples abroad.

According to him, the main advantage of ATA Carnet lies in simplifying customs procedures and avoiding the payment of duties on goods that are temporarily brought into a country and then re-exported.

This makes it easier for Kosovo businesses to participate in international trade fairs, promote their products and establish new trade contacts.

Spahiu stressed that it is important for ATA Carnet to be genuinely used by businesses and not remain merely a formal possibility. In his view, its success should be assessed through concrete use, increased internationalization of companies, and its long-term impact on exports and competitiveness.