The removal of trade barriers among Western Balkan countries is increasingly viewed as a crucial factor for the region`s economic development.

According to data published in the Regional Barometer by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), a majority of businesses strongly support trade facilitation and the elimination of administrative and customs barriers between neighboring nations.

A survey conducted among companies from six Western Balkan countries reveals that approximately 70 percent consider the removal of trade barriers to be “very important” or “important.” Companies believe that the freer movement of goods and faster border procedures would directly lead to increased investments, expanded markets, and reduced operational costs.

In Kosovo, regional trade is regarded as one of the main pillars for the development of the private sector. Data indicates that 60 percent of Kosovar businesses view the removal of trade barriers as “very important,” while an additional 11 percent assess it as “important.” 

However, the report also highlights some skepticism among businesses in Kosovo. About 17 percent of surveyed companies believe that removing barriers is not significant for their economic activities. Despite this, the majority of the business community supports regional economic integration and the establishment of a more open market.

In Albania, companies also express strong support for trade facilitation. The survey shows that 75 percent of Albanian businesses consider the removal of barriers to be very important for their economic activities, with only 9 percent stating that this process has no impact on their business.

The highest level of support for trade openness is recorded in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where 88 percent of surveyed businesses favor eliminating trade barriers with regional countries. The report suggests that Bosnian businesses continue to see regional cooperation as an important opportunity for economic development.

In North Macedonia, 67 percent of businesses support the removal of trade barriers, while Montenegro also displays a positive outlook toward regional economic cooperation, with 68 percent of businesses endorsing trade facilitation.

In contrast to the rest of the region, Serbian businesses show less interest in eliminating trade barriers. Only 50 percent of Serbian companies support this initiative, while 28 percent indicate that they do not find it important for their operations. The report attributes this more reserved approach to regional trade to the Serbian economy's greater focus on European Union markets.

Overall, the report emphasizes that the business community in the Western Balkans is increasingly advocating for greater economic integration, simpler border procedures, and a more functional regional market. According to the surveyed businesses, removing trade barriers could directly influence export growth, attract investments, and strengthen economic cooperation among the countries in the region.