The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), respectively the Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency (KIESA), in cooperation with the Municipality of Gjilan, in the frame of the “Small Business Days activities for 2017”, today have organized the Information Conference on Private Sector Development. The conference was attended by representatives of central and local institutions: MTI, Gjilan Municipality, KTA, Kosovo Customs, KEDS, RDA, as well as numerous representatives from the businesses of this region.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Bajram Hasani, to the participants has presented the plans of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo on the private sector development opportunities, as well as the possibilities of direct discussions and presentation of the business challenges and demands to central and local institution’s representatives, and development and advancement of business conditions of this region.
In his speech directed to the businesses of Gjilan, Minister Hasani pointed out the role of the institution, respectively of the Ministry of Trade and Industry led by him, the role of which is to support and promote the private sector, and thus create opportunities for new jobs. Further, he informed that to protect local producers the Ministry of Trade and Industry applies following laws: Anti-Dumping Law and the Law on Protection Measures, which create opportunities and gives the power to MTI to undertake measures to protect local products in case domestic products are jeopardized by unfair competition. "We initiated many measures, and it’s normal to have any obstacles from others, despite having influence and lobbying of big importing companies in Kosovo, so these measure are not considered as good to some of them, but our objective is to protect and promote local production by taking concrete actions ", said Minister Hasani.
Same time, Minister Hasani emphasized the support to businesses is given through the subsidies and businesses grants, but this year a special importance and business grants will be given to the Gjilane businesses. He asked from the municipality of Gjilan to allocate a land from the Economic Zone so that can be made possible to make concreate investments.
Minister Hasani promised that the investment at the Gjilane Economic Zone can be done immediately in 2018, of course if the municipality of Gjilane allocates a plot.
Agim Zuzaku, director for Economic Development in the Municipality of Gjilan, said that Municipality of Gjilan, in terms to support and develop business in this region, besides the comprehensive business programs, is committed to support businesses run by women through a business development strategy. According to him, business support in this municipality will be done by cooperating with central institutions, donors and other relevant mechanisms that may contribute in support to businesses of this region.
While, Besian Mustafa from the Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency –KIESA introduced the possibilities created by KIESA for Kosovo’s private sector development through KIESA services which promote and support business.