Considering that the international community has so far avoided clarifying the political future of Kosova, the UN administration is unlikely to launch a privatization campaign on its own. Thus the launching of privatization will almost certainly be left to an elected government at a later date. Many Kosovar Albanians have already reclaimed the companies where they once worked. The Bosnian example has shown that the post-war reconstruction was hampered by a slow privatization process, which started only in 1999, or four years after the end of the Bosnian war. Furthermore, the Bosnian government since the war has been charging prohibitive taxes and customs fees.
Corruption is rampant, while the public administration is bureaucratic and slow.
Most investors have therefore turned their back on the country. The large amount of foreign aid in the immediate post-war era, in fact, encouraged the Bosnian government to pursue mercantilist policies. Thus Bosnia has become largely dependent on foreign aid, and there are few signs of sustainable development. In order to avoid similar developments in Kosova, the UN administration must create a liberal investment climate as soon as possible, preferably before the general elections. It must install transparent financial institutions and establish rule of law.