EU funded project
Objective and purpose
The overall objective of this project is to increase economic growth and private sector employment by strengthening the competitiveness of Kosovar enterprises and promoting Kosovo's integration into the world economy. The ICEP project will support Kosovar manufacturing companies in improving their performance on the domestic market and increase exports. This will result in more jobs generated by the private sector in Kosovo, and the trade deficit reduction.
In order to achieve this, the project works on capacity building at the Ministry of Trade and Industry(MTI), in particular the Department of Industry, and at the Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency (KIESA) to strengthen the provision of business development services to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the full range of the business life cycle and on drafting Private Sector Development policies and strategies.
To improve industry competitiveness, advisory assistance in Quality Management, Production Efficiency and Marketing will be provided to a number of SMEs under the Company Development Programme. This Programme is a pilot initiative implemented by KIESA and supported by the ICEP. International and local experts will work together on assignments tailored to individual needs of selected SMEs from five main industrial sectors.
Project Strategy
The ICEP strategy is based on an integrated and holistic approach to supporting the Government of Kosovo to build the key structures, processes and capabilities necessary for Private Sector Competitiveness in both domestic and international markets, through:
- Support to capacity building of the MTI and KIESA to implement the National Development Strategy 2016-2021, (Pillar 3 "A Plan for Business" of the Strategy);
- Support to Business Support Organisations (BSOs), targeted industry sectors and SMEs in increasing domestic and international competitiveness, through both national and international experts, applying ‘tailored’ business development services, including improved production, quality accreditation and certification, marketing and export strategies, building inter-sector, company and BSO dialogue;
- Building the capacity of the Kosovar Business Service Providers (consultants) by ensuring transfer of knowledge from international consultants and specifically targeted and designed training.
For more information please contact: Ms Rina Domi, Project Coordinator +381 (0) 38 749 265.