Minister of Trade and Industry, Endrit Shala, at the launch event of the “Competitiveness Support Program”, co-funded by the EU and EBRD, initially said that it feels honored to be today in this important event such as launching of a combined grant scheme for small and medium enterprises, being aware how important are these aids provided by us either as Government of the Republic of Kosovo, respectively as the Minister of Trade and Industry (MTI) or even as donors, such as the European Union and EBRD.
Minister Shala stressed that MTI has an excellent cooperation with the EU office in Kosovo, where we are implementing some important projects in improving the business climate and in the progress of Kosovo in implementing obligations deriving from the SAA and the European Agenda for Reform. Also, the minister said that MTI has a close cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and that this cooperation includes some important areas for economic development in Kosovo.
"Grant support for SMEs in increasing their competitiveness is a project that MTI has repeatedly demanded and has been the leader of the donor coordination process in Kosovo for certifying Kosovo producer`s products as a prerequisite for exporting and entering into regional and international markets, "mentioned again Minister Shala.
He added that in this process, the EBRD has taken the leading role and has now become an important address for private sector enterprises where they find financial and professional support to obtain quality certificates and implement the required international standards.
Minister Shala took the opportunity to thank the European Union Office for the willingness to co-finance this important project with financial funds that are highly necessary and appreciated by small and medium enterprises.
Within the business support, Minister Shala expressed his readiness as minister of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and considers that the assistance that can be given to SMEs in the form of grants is the best and most transparent support that the state can 'help Kosovar producers.
"By doing this, we directly assist the manufacturer in advancing their products and services and as a primary goal they should benefit from the local market and replacement of imported products and secondly prepare their products/services to export to regional and international markets and find new buyers there, " stated Shala.
He also pointed out, that he is just coming from a similar launch event of a business grant scheme that will be implemented by MTI in close cooperation with the World Bank, and that yesterday was the deadline for submitting applications for the grant scheme that is implemented by KIESA.
According to Minister Shala, all these activities, as a primary aim have financial support for manufacturing and service companies in Kosovo, which once again show my commitment and the commitment of the Ministry for staying close to Kosovar producers and support them not only with the creation of legal and administrative environment to operate in Kosovo, but also with direct support in meeting their needs for new technical-technological equipment, meeting the requirements for the implementation of various international quality standards as a prerequisite for exporting to foreign markets as well as other forms of support for the advancement of Kosovar manufacturing companies.
