Development of Small and Medium Business is the main pillar of economic development of the country, said Minister of Trade and Industry, Endrit Shala, during the conference, which presented the report “SME Policy Index: Western Balkans and Turkey 2019”.
Minister Shala stressed that from the beginning of his mandate, he has been focused on all relevant departments to create all the necessary preconditions for developing, promoting and strengthening Kosovar entrepreneur.
"I base this point by appreciating the importance of the Small Business Act, namely the assessment for Kosovo, because small and medium businesses produce the majority of jobs and income in our country. Therefore, underlining that small businesses have faced the greatest burden of this process of developmental transition, with the aim of facilitating the operation and development of their activities,” said Minister Shala.
Shala said that a series of measures have been initiated that gradually affect the development of entrepreneurship, improving access to finance through the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund for Kosovar enterprises.
"We have started implementing a World Bank support program for the improvement and certification of Kosovo products with European standards and their quality to internationalize them. We have doubled the organization of the participation of Kosovo companies in international fairs in order to find co-operators and new markets for export. We have established a scheme for direct support/SME subsidies on purchasing machinery and installing new manufacturing technologies. We have created mechanisms that directly affect the creation of a sustainable competitive market. We have increased inspections to protect the customer,"said Shala.
Shala announced that the support of SMEs will continue to remain the focus of MTI by supporting them in the growth and advancement of new manufacturing technologies, and by encouraging the internationalization of their products.
"At the same time, creating ongoing facilitation for export as well as negotiating and reaching trade agreements for accessing new markets, and realizing all the recommendations and assessments that come from our international partners. The Ministry of Trade and Industry through concrete programs continues to work in increasing the competitiveness of Kosovar SMEs. From the attendees, we expect that at the end of this meeting we will receive the recommendation of the publication in order to improve the dimensions for which there can be evidenced room for improvement, "said Minister Shala.
While, Riccardo Serri of the European Union Office said that the SME sector should be increased, because according to him, this sector is very important not only for the EU but also for Kosovo.
As well, Marzena Kisielewska, the leader of the South East European Division, said that reforms in this sector were efficiently developed. "Work is being done efficiently. I have an optimistic message because there has been progress in the region and you should be proud not only in Kosovo, but also in the region, therefore this means that from your side, it is expected even more."
The OECD has estimated that Kosovo is among the countries that has made great progress in implementing the small business act.
