UNMIK/PR/1706
Pristina – Steven P. Schook, the Principal Deputy Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo, today signed a Regulation with the immediate effect of freeing imports of wheat and maize from customs duty.
The joint PSIG and UNMIK Economic and Fiscal Council (EFC) last month endorsed the government’s proposal to exempt wheat and maize from customs duty in response to thrising price of bread.
At the signing on Thursday Schook said, “This was a government initiative, subsequently endorsed by the EFC. I applaud the government’s work on this.
“The regulation will now provide opportunities for multiple suppliers to come in with the cheapest and best deal for Kosovo when it comes to ingredients for making bread. It is going to allow for greater variety and flexibility.”
The regulation -- UNMIK Regulation No. 2007/31 -- amends UNMIK Regulation No. 1999/3 on the Establishment of the Customs and other Related Services in Kosovo in order to allow for the importation of wheat and maize free of customs duty.
UNMIK Regulation No. 1999/3 provides for exemptions in respect of certain imports of wheat, meslin and maize falling into specific numbered categories within the general categories of wheat (1001) and maize (1005): “Durum wheat”; “Spelt for sowing”, “Common wheat and meslin seed”, “Maize (corn), Seed”.
The present amending Regulation provides that all wheat, meslin and maize grains have now been freed from customs duty.
