Prime Minister Kurti emphasized the importance of the wood industry with a high contribution to increasing exports and improving the trade balance, where our entrepreneurs have managed to penetrate the markets of various countries in Europe and beyond.
He stated that "Wood and Furniture processing, according to the analysis of the performance of our country's industry, within the framework of the Industrial Policy, is evaluated as a "Rising Star" sub-sector, contributing with 12% to the trade balance, being among the only sub-sectors with a positive contribution to reducing the trade deficit".
Being aware of the potential and the need, Prime Minister Kurti emphasized the vision of the Industrial Policy to support the production sector, drafted by MIET and approved by the Government for the first time since the post-war period. The implementation of this policy intends to reveal the potential of the manufacturing industry, to contribute to the overall development of the country effectively.
The Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Mrs. Rozeta Hajdari, in her speech before the audience, said that through the mandate of MIET, intensive work is being done on the drafting of policies for industry, trade, investment, tourism, innovation and entrepreneurship, and on advancing relevant laws in accordance with EU directives.
She emphasized the EU Country Report, which highlights the achievements of the Kurti government, in improving the environment for doing business, the investment climate, the protection of competition, the reform in market supervision, the strengthening of the protection of industrial property and sustainable tourism.
Further, Minister Hajdari emphasized the commencement of the Industrial Policy, with the areas of intervention and the measures that will support the production and processing sector for their integration in the global chains, the growth and diversification of exports, the improvement of the qualification of the workforce, accelerated digitization of advanced production and technology, as well as better use of local natural resources and recycled materials.
Emphasizing the success of the schemes through the KIESA Agency, for support to local manufacturers, for the purchase of production machinery and product certification, participation in fairs inside and outside the country, with the aim of diversifying export markets, Minister Hajdari informed the participants about the new opportunities for business support, through the signing of the Agreement with the EU, on May 11, 2023, on the "Single Market" Program, with a budget of 4.2 billion euros for the period 2021-2027, as well as for the 'Growth Plan' for the Western Balkans, with a budget of 6 billion euros in grants and loans to accelerate economic convergence with the European Union.
Finally, Minister Hajdari announced the ongoing negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Kosovo and the EFTA countries (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland), through which the parties will have greater economic cooperation with preferential trade relations and which will be beneficial for all.
The Convention of the Wood Industry is organized by the Association of Wood Processors of Kosovo for the sixth year in a row and it aims to present and promote the potential of the wood industry as a growing sector in the Republic of Kosovo.
