UNMIK/PR/177
Beginning 7 March, all businesses in Kosovo must file for provisional registration with UNMIK in the municipality in which they are operating.
The registration will go on over the next two to three months, and full instructions will be available in the municipality buildings around Kosovo.
A business is "any entity that engages in lawful economic activity for the purpose of making a profit," according to UNMIK Regulation 2000/8, "On the Provisional Registration of Businesses in Kosovo," signed on 1 March 2000, by SRSG Bernard Kouchner.
The regulation applies to any business currently established in Kosovo or seeking to be established. UNMIK Civil Administration officials estimate that there are between 40,000 and 50,000 entities which must register.
All businesses must apply for provisional registration on application forms available in all municipality buildings, and pay a non-refundable administrative fee.
Fees are 100 DM for businesses with fewer than 10 employees and 300 DMs for those with more than 10 employees.
Anyone employing more than 10 workers needs to conduct the registration in Pristina. However, anyone can collect the applications, receive assistance and pay fees at the municipalities and all materials will be sent to Pristina.
The registration with UNMIK is provisional, until the SRSG transfers authority to conduct business registration to the appropriate administrative department, established under the Joint Interim Administrative Structure
Registration of businesses provides information crucial for making future economic policy. It will eventually be important for Kosovo's tax base. And a business registration certificate is needed for such things as opening bank accounts and doing business with foreign companies.
The timetable for registering will be announced. However, the general categories of business and the period of registration is as follows:
Wholesale and retail trades will register in March. In April, agricultural enterprises, mines and quarries and manufacturers. In May, hotels and restaurants, personal services, transport companies and telecommunications.