The Ministry of Trade and Industry, in the capacity of the National Coordinator for Kosovo’s SMEs Competition, and in cooperation with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have organized the reconciliation meeting on “competitiveness assessment.” In the meeting they discussed about the cooperation and the way of completing the dimensions framework of the SMEs competition policy outlook in Kosovo.
At the same time, the meeting was aimed at deepening the discussion about the results of government self –assessment dimension of the competition policy outlook of Republic of Kosovo, and assessment of third parties contracted by the OECD.
In her speech, Hykmete Minister Bajrami said that "We are grateful to OECD for its essential role in this important process, which can be seen with the high presence of OECDs representatives that is testified in this today meeting in Pristina." Further, the MTI Minister stressed that this meeting in of format is quite helpful and productive because it enables the majority of representatives of stakeholders, the Government, namely the Kosovo institutions, independent consultants, NGOs, analysts and OECDs representatives to discuss, exchange information and views by identifying possible gaps related to government self-assessment and independent assessment made by third parties regarding the competitiveness outlook.
Minister Hykmete Bajrami said that the government of Kosovo has sat as high priority to undertake structures reforms in order to improve policies that strength and growth the enterprises competition. “Now, since we are implementing the SAA and CEFTA agreements, we are working intensively to increase competition capacities of our companies”, said minister, who highlighted that considerable results are marked in improvement of doing business for SMEs.
Bajrami also mentioned few of programs and engagements aiming of which is to increase the Kosovars Small and Medium-size Enterprise competitiveness and their results. Among other, she highlighted that up today are 17 Business Forums are organized together with representative chamber of commerce and various institutions inside the Kosovo; 9 Trade and Investment Forums outside the Kosovo, above 500 foreign businesses interested to invest in Kosovo are contacted, and 153 Kosovar businesses has attended these business events.
In addition, Mrs. Bajrami said that our products, services and tourism is promoted in to these fairs; 36 fair are held, where 449 Kosovar companies has benefited and 57 contracts has been concluded; has been worked in building business parks and incubators, where 8 Industrial Parks are licensed; Business Park in Drenas with 36 businesses; Business Park in Mitrovica with 20 businesses established; Technology Park in Shtime with many businesses; Industrial Park in Shiroke, Suhareke – with 69 businesses established; Agro-Industrial Zone in Suhareka with 3 businesses; Industrial Park in Frasher, Mitrovica currently is building its infrastructure; Industrial Park in Lipjan currentlu is building its infrastructure and Industrial Park in Vitia is awaiting to start construction.
She also mentioned the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund which has made easier access in finance, through which up-today are given 123 loans; the project for products certification, which is a certification on quality, known internationally and up-today are certified around 90 products, while in first quarter of 2017 are certified 7 products.
Minister Bajrami added that the MTI, respectively the Government of Kosovo, as never before is dialoging with businesses, and all reforms taken recently were made in close consultation with businesses community. She vowed that this approach will become continues institutional practice.