The Kosovo Competition Authority (KCA) has called for respect for the Law on Protection of Competition and a ban on any unjustified price increases during the year-end holidays.
The call published on the AKM Facebook page states that any agreement, coordination or unilateral action between businesses that has the purpose or effect of artificially increasing prices, dividing the market, restricting competition or abusing a joint dominant position constitutes a serious violation of the Law on the Protection of Competition and is subject to legal sanctions.
Support the TIME. Preserve the truth.
Professional journalism is in the public interest. Your support helps it remain independent and credible. Contribute too. 1 euro makes a difference.
Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeIt is further stated that from the beginning of December until the end of this year, all Competition Authority inspectors will be in the field every day, carefully and continuously monitoring price movements and increases in the market.
"With the approaching end-of-year holidays and the increasing demand for products and services, the Competition Authority appeals to all businesses and economic operators to refrain from any unjustified price increases, in violation of the Law on the Protection of Competition," the AKM's call states.
It further states that the year-end holidays should not and will not be used for consumer abuse, coordinated price increases or practices that violate free and fair competition in the market.
"Prices should reflect real market conditions and not prohibited agreements, speculative behavior or exploitation of a joint market position," the call states.
The AKM has called on businesses to act in full compliance with the Law on the Protection of Competition, to avoid any form of price fixing or coordinated behavior, not to abuse their joint position or market power, and to show responsibility towards citizens and consumers.
The AKM has called on consumers to report any suspicion of unjustified or coordinated price increases, so that the Authority can take the necessary legal action.
Prices of "Made in Kosovo" products, according to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS) published at the end of November, have increased by 5.5 percent during the third quarter of this year, compared to the same period a year ago.
According to ASK, the largest price increase was recorded in the economic activities of motor vehicle production - by 23 percent, electricity (20.8 percent) and textile production (14.2 percent).
In addition to these, ASK has also counted other products whose prices have increased compared to the third quarter of 2024.
"Processing of pharmaceutical products and preparations increased by 8.1%, production of clothing 7.9%, production of furniture 7.8%, printing and reproduction of recorded media 7.0%, production of machinery and equipment n.e.c. (products or production activities that do not fall into any specific category of the classification vj) 5.1%, production of electrical equipment 5.0%, collection, treatment and supply of water 5.0%, processing of food products 3.1%, production of paper and paper products 2.9%, production of wood and wood and cork products, except furniture: production of articles of straw and plaiting materials 0.9%, production of non-metallic mineral products 0.4%, production of chemical products 0.1%", ASK data showed.