The Kosovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DhTIK) has expressed deep concern over the second-instance ruling of the Commercial Court, which gives the green light to the continuation of the liberalization of the electricity market, despite the process being marred by numerous legal and procedural violations.
DhTIK stated that the court had sufficient evidence and clear arguments regarding the violations committed—evidence that has been repeatedly presented during meetings with institutions—but unfortunately, these were not taken into account.
“We reiterate that the model chosen by the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO), silently supported by all relevant institutions, will cause severe consequences for the country’s economy, including a significant increase in electricity prices, an increase in product prices, the risk of thousands of job losses, a decline in domestic production and its suffocation by rising imports, and the closure of a large number of business activities,” the statement reads.
DhTIK once again calls on the ERO and the Government of Kosovo to immediately suspend the implementation of the decision and to open a transparent review process, respecting public consultations and the involvement of the business community, as required by law.
It also urges institutions to allocate additional resources to support businesses, so as to prevent severe consequences for the economy and the country’s future.
Furthermore, DhTIK calls on all businesses to use all legal mechanisms to challenge this harmful decision.
The Chamber stressed that, together with the business community, it will use every legal and institutional means to protect the interests of Kosovo’s economy.
