The Government of Kosovo and the World Bank today has signed the agreement to finance the project “Competition Strengthening and Export reediness”. The project will implement the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The project will effect on strengthening of private sector and increase competition of Kosovar products position for exporting their products in to international markets. The project will also contribute on fulfilling a numerous important obligations deriving from the Stabilization and Association Agreement of Kosovo with the European Union, including here the consumer rights protection.
The project will reduce cost of businesses dealing with product testing and obtaining internationally recognized product certifications, thus opening doors to regional market, European Union and beyond. Same time, the project will support reforms on inspection system of the Republic of Kosovo, by reducing number of business inspections, but, increasing their efficiency.
The project will assist the Kosovo Metrology Agency (KMA) and the Kosovo Accreditation Directorate (KAD) that operates under the MTI, on their capacity building for signing recognition agreements with the International Committee of Weights and Measures and the International Forum for Laboratory Cooperation / Accreditation. This qualification may help the sustainability of Kosovo's National Quality System Infrastructure. These efforts will assist both, the system and the national laboratories to get closer with high-value markets such as the European Union – thus reducing costs of companies on receiving internationally recognized testing reports and certificates. Also, it will finance the purchase of equipment, facilitate training, put in place also improve ICT systems in support to the Government of Kosovo in reforming its business inspection systems.
The project is a soft loan of € 14.3 million, given by the International Development Association (IDA), part of the World Bank Group, which is a fund for the countries with the greatest development needs.