Informality in Credit Relations Between Banks and Business Entities – a Risk on Standardization and Modernization of Kosovo Economy

In terms of modern societies, the definition of the notion of certain forms of informal activities in the economy has evolved dynamically. In general, the definition used for the informal economy by lawyers and economists, involves economic transactions or operations in which state institutions not only have no control over them, but they also fail to take action to stop them. Precisely in this form, informality has become one of the most discussed problems in Kosovo politics. Reducing it is vital for the national economy to improve. However, it seems that the passive path which the relevant government institutions are taking in combating this negative phenomenon, not only is not right and adequate, but, above all, presents factors that are of high risk and multidimensional. Unfortunately, the relatively new local banking system, especially in commercial banks, has gradually become a serious stimulus segment of this informal activity. Among other things, the commercial banks, upon establishing credit relations with certain business entities, mainly during the provision of loans and being fully aware, base their credit risk analysis on financial and accounting records that are not official, i.e. are not identical to those provided to the Tax Administration. Now is the last moment that the government must focus its efforts on limiting and reducing the informal economy in the country. Enhancing the role of the Tax Administration and the Financial Intelligence Unit for the purpose of increasing their operational efficiency bears no alternative.