Kastriot Jahaj

This paper analyzes the price trends of two main products for which the country’s commercial consumer pays more in comparison to those in the region. The findings indicate the presence of several market inefficiencies and price gouging practices. In the case of cash registers, a market which was initially closed allowed the first two competitors to dominate, create a monopoly and gouge consumer prices. In the cement industry, the intervention of the institutions to protect the domestic producer resulted in the same outcome: the producer began to dominate the market and raised prices without improving quality. Kosovo cannot prosper without a proper market economy. In turn, the market economy cannot be properly established without the regulation of the economic environment. The paper recommends that the authorities that monitor competition be given more clout and influence and that there be a mechanism to control and check market interventions from government institutions.

After declaration of independence in 2008, Kosovo underwent judicial and legal reform spearheaded by Kosovo institutions under extensive support of the international community. In addition, also the largest European Union (EU) CSDP Mission – EULEX continues to be
deployed with monitoring, mentoring, advising and executive mandate in certain areas of fighting organised crime, financial and economic crimes. Even though with the highest EU financial assistance per capita in Western Balkans, efforts in relation to the fight against corruption and
organised crime in Kosovo remain widely ineffective. 1 Lack of political willingness by a government often engraved as corrupt, lacking of sufficient financial support and generally limited influence by Kosovo Assembly and civil society to increase accountability and
transparency of the Kosovo institutions have brought Kosovo to a stage of state capture by the executive government.

The Kosovo institutions have been efficient in proposing new legislation, drafting of new policies and
strategies however, have proven weak in efficient and impartial delivery of such requirements. This brief
analyses the cooperation in between Kosovo Police and prosecution and its recent initiatives by looking at
whether this cooperation and initiatives have been in line with the set requirements.

The research for this project was carried out by Kastriot Jahaj; the
paper was drafted by Dardan Sejdiu and edited by Drilon Gashi,
Leon Malazogu and Shpend Emini. D4D Institute is grateful to all
of those who took part in this paper, including the interviewees,
researchers and all other contributors.

Improving Intercultural Communication - Social Situation (Full Length Video)

Our multi-ethnic team went to the field and talked to members of minority and majority communities​. Watch the video to see how people react when they find themselves in unexpected social situations!

This video is part of the Improving Intercultural Communication media initiative which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Advancing Kosovo Together (AKT) program. The views expressed in this story do not necessary reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.