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The high-level conference organized by the Economic Initiative for Kosovo (ECIKS), IPAK-Vienna, and partner institutions in Berlin on 7th March 2012 has contributed towards changing the German perceptions about doing business and investing in Kosovo. Over 100 potential investors, representatives of German economic institutions, members of Bundestag, representatives of the German Foreign Ministry, German diplomats and decision-makers have listened to facts and evidence about political and economic realities in Kosovo, provided by Kosovo representatives, public Austrian and German personalities as well as foreign investors who have already invested in Kosovo.
Speakers in the first panel included the Kosovar Vice-Primeminister Ms. Mimoza Kusari-Lila, the chair of the Munich Security Conference Mr. Wolfgang Ischinger, the ex Austrian Vice-Chancellor Mr. Erhard Busek, the Kosovar Minister of Economic Development Mr. Besim Beqaj, the president of ECIKS Mr. Kujtim Dobruna, the representative of the German Ministry of Economy and Technology Mr. Helge Tolksdorf and the director of the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations Mr. Rainer Lindner. Generally, the speakers agreed that Kosovo has managed to create a healthy base for economic development which has to be accompanied with continuous economic and political reforms. Despite the global economic crisis, Kosovo’s economy has continued to grow. Besides Turkey and Ukraine, Kosovo will have one of the highest economic growth rates in Europe in 2012. In order to increase its attractiveness for foreign investors, the country needs to continue its reforms and improve the business climate, strengthen the rule of law, invest more in the education and support the private sector, was also said in the panel.
The conference was opened by the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in Berlin Mr. Vilson Mirdita and the Ambassador of Austria Mr. Ralph Scheide. The main presentation in the second panel was held by the CEO of Investment Promotion Agency of Kosovo (IPAK) Mr. Valdrin Lluka, followed by presentations of foreign investors who have already invested in Kosovo. Mr. Dastid Pallaska presented the legal framework for foreign investors in Kosovo while representatives of Pro Credit Bank, Birra Peja/Union and Xella Kosovo talked about their experience with investments in Kosovo and encouraged potential investors to follow them. They all stated that the reality in Kosovo is much better than the existing perceptions.
The conference was organized by Economic Initiative for Kosovo (ECIKS) and supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Berlin, the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, the German Southeast Europe Association and was financed by the Austrian Government.
PRESS RELEASE
ECONOMIC INITIATIVE FOR KOSOVO (ECIKS)
09.03.2012