Business against Customs scanning

“We request a suspension until we have a more complete answer for the future of this draft-law. We are asking the current majority to cancel this concessionary which has come to power with the promise to remove monopolies. Thirdly, we request that all creators and those who approved this destructive concession to be brought to justice”, declared Luan Bregasi from Business Albania.

The former right centered government gave the scanning monopoly to a company named “Raspican”, which will charge every business 39 EUR for every Customs declaration in importing, exporting and even transitory status. The agreement which has brought panic among businesses will have a cost of 20 million EUR per year, but for other industries, such as manufacturing, the consequences will be unaffordable.

“This means destroying a sector that has been trying to recover for the past 22 years. All Europe has its eyes on this sector today. We are establishing a tax that no one can accept to pay just for entering in Albania”, declared Donika Mici, from the “Doniana” shoes factory.

The Concession should have started on April 1st, but Top Channel has learned that the government has suspended the agreement and is negotiating with the concessionary company about the fees, which have been strongly opposed by all interest groups.

Many experts remain skeptical on the result of negotiations and the chance that they could bring better conditions for consumers and businesses. This comes after the previous government has bulletproofed the agreement. In case of an unilateral termination, the Albanian government will have to pay 74 million EUR to the company, a cost that would shock the government’s budget and finances.

Top Channel