Kosovo: Economy growing, unemployment too

Prishtinë, 21 July, 2006 – According to the quarterly report of the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s macroeconomics department for the first quarter of 2006, this three-month period marked an increase in the collection revenues from the tax administration, which collected € 133,7 million or 5.5% more than in the last year.

The report indicates that the trade deficit during this period was € 217 million and it is quite alarming for the macro economic stability of Kosovo.

The salaries and daily allowances showed an increase of € 3.5 million (33.6%) of total budgetary expenses, which last year represented 32.9%.

According to Radio Television of Kosovo, export increased by 20% compared to 2005 and the economy is expected to grow by 3%. However, there are predictions that in 2007 Kosovo’s economic development will decrease by 1.6% due to UNMIK’s withdrawal.

The report indicates that unemployment rate has increased by 5% compared to the same period last year – there are about 323,450 unemployed. The trade deficit during this period, comparing it with the same period of the last year, has decreased by € 5.9 million, or 2.6%.

ECIKS