Durim Limaj, Chief of Cabinet of the Minister of Trade and Industry, Endrit Shala, participated in the third anniversary of the establishment of the Kosovo Fund for Credit Guarantees and the signing of the agreement with the European Investment Fund for the COSME Program.
Limaj stressed that one of the main priorities of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is also to provide access to local businesses.
"Initiating the COSME agreement and then signing it, is intended to provide another extraordinary opportunity for our businesses in having another open door, for gaining experience that makes them equal to European businesses," said Limaj.
He thanked the European Commission and other international partners, such as USAID and others, for the continued support they provide for Kosovo in terms of institutional formation, development of the legal framework, various regulatory reforms, and support to stimulate development of the private sector in Kosovo, in particular for the development of entrepreneurship, through various projects.
"The Ministry of Trade and Industry is a signatory to the COSME program agreement, for which we also pay the annual financial obligations at international level, due to this we play a key role in promoting this program to relevant actors. Our goal is to make the program as functional as possible in Kosovo. Also, in the ministry we have the team of officials, who are constantly notified by the European Commission of every opportunity and development within the program, and we ensure that every information and opportunity is forwarded to the potential beneficiaries in a timely manner ", said Limaj.
According to Limaj, this agreement, which has been signed today, it is a news that has been welcomed by our businesses, enabling them easier access to finance.
"Bearing in mind that, according to many researches compiled by various international and local organizations, access to finance has been identified as one of the biggest challenges faced by small and medium businesses, this Kosovo Fund agreement with COSME program will contribute to businesses in getting loans more easier and cheaper. Knowing the success of the Kosovo Fund in guaranteeing a large number of loans to small and medium enterprises, I have no doubt that this agreement with COSME will strengthen the role of the Fund, “said Limaj.
