The report by the EU Intellectual Property Agency states that Albania is the only country in Europe that trades/exports or produces counterfeit goods.
The GTRIC index, which measures an economy's tendency to export counterfeit products, rates Albania with 1 point, the same as Hong Kong and Turkey, which are known as the "mothers" of counterfeit products around the world.
The majority of counterfeit products are clothing and footwear, the report says, at 22% respectively, followed by bags and electronics.
A concerning aspect of counterfeit goods is the danger they can pose due to a lack of testing and control. Many counterfeits can pose significant health and safety risks, particularly in categories such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food and toys.
The report says that Turkey, which once held first place for counterfeiting, has now dropped to second place, replaced by China, which has "conquered" the world.
In 2021, the value of counterfeit imports into the European Union is estimated to be up to $117 billion (€98.9 billion), which accounts for 4.7% of EU imports.
The European Union agency analyzes that the illegal trade in counterfeit goods poses a threat to economic growth and innovation, while also threatening public health, security and the rule of law.
Furthermore, the counterfeit trade fuels corruption and organized crime, creating a vicious circle where innovation is stifled, consumer trust is eroded, and resources are diverted from legitimate businesses to illegal operations.
