The National Council for Economic Development of Kosovo (NCEDK) held its second meeting to discuss further steps to advance reforms for Kosovo's economic development.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, at the same time coordinator of NCEDK, Hykmete Bajrami, emphasized that we have pledged to transform the National Council for Economic Development of Kosovo into a very important forum for the formalization of public-private dialogue between Kosovo institutions and private business. "We have also pledged that the Council will address all the challenges of business and investment and will recommend measures for the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo to create favorable economic policies and facilities for businesses," said Minister Bajrami.
She further distinguished two good news for businesses, asserting that this year will be a year of real improvement of the business climate in Kosovo, first: approval of the concept paper for the establishment of the Credit Guarantee Fund, whose initial capital will be generated mainly by donor support, initially by USAID, KFW and SECO, who have pledged to contribute to this fund with 18m euros. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has pledged 1 million euros to the 2015 budget, and will continue to support this fund over the next few years. The main purpose of this fund is to address one of the main business barriers that is access to finance and high cost of capital.
The other news, Hykmete Bajrami continued, is that the Kosovo Assembly, on 28 May 2015, has approved the Law on amending and supplementing the Law No. 03 / L-199 on courts, which stipulates the functionality of the Division for Disputes within the Department of Economic Affairs of the Basic Court in Prishtina regarding foreign investors, which will have jurisdiction for the entire territory of Kosovo. This law will further increase investor confidence in bringing their capital to Kosovo.
Agenda of the Second Meeting: (Agenda 2)
Minutes of the Second Meeting can be read here. (Link to Minutes of Meeting 2)
Official Announcement for the Meeting: http://www.mti-ks.org/sq/Aktivitetet-e-Ministres/Mbahet-mbledhja-e-dyte-e-Keshillit-Kombetar-per-Zhvillim-Ekonomik-te-Kosoves-3224-3224