Dragash, 28 October 2022
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the solemn opening of the Expo-Sharri Local Products Fair in the Municipality of Dragash.
“I am very happy when I meet entrepreneurs and see local companies oriented towards production because there is no greater interest for our country than increasing the production of our companies, expanding their capacities and penetrating other and international markets,” Prime Minister Kurti stated in addressing the audience.
Prime Minister Kurti further mentioned the assistance offered by the Government to businesses under the Economic Recovery Package, the support of EUR 70 million to farmers, the subsidy of many agricultural crops, particularly wheat, and funds amounting to EUR 3.8 million for the development and promotion of Rural Tourism and Agritourism.
“We are redistributing the economic growth of 10.7% marked in the previous year and the increase in budget revenues by 1/3 more compared to last year through various measures to citizens for well-being, to businesses for expansion, to farmers for production. Because good things multiply when they are shared,” Kurti underlined further.
At this fair, organized for the first time and planned to become traditional, following the ceremonial ribbon cutting, Prime Minister Kurti also visited local products exhibited.
Full address of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti:
Distinguished President of Sharri Business Association, Mr. Burim Piraj,
Distinguished Mayor of Sharr, Mr. Bexhet Xheladini,
Distinguished Deputy Mayor Fejzal Haliloviq,
Distinguished Deputy Mayor Resul Fetahu,
Dear participants, citizens of Sharr, sisters and brothers,
Ladies and gentlemen,
When my office informed me that I was invited to the Sharri Business Association fair, my response was immediate. I remembered the natural beauty, the clean air, and the good people, and I decided on this invitation immediately based on the good impression I had every time I came here to you in Sharr.
Today, in addition to my personal wish, as the prime minister I also feel the responsibility to be with you at the solemn opening of the first local products fair in Sharr, this settlement not only of good people but also of workers and producers.
I am very happy when I meet entrepreneurs and see local production-oriented companies. There is no greater interest for our country than increasing the productivity of our companies,
Production is development and independence. Excessive import is addiction and impoverishment. Export is progress.
Within the Economic Recovery Package, we also supported businesses in addition to citizens.
Through Measure 2.1, we have subsidized 20% of the loan principal for manufacturing and processing businesses. This measure includes EUR 15 million of direct support that has enabled 207 businesses to invest over EUR 87 million in capacity expansion.
Meanwhile, through Measure 2.4 of the Economic Recovery Package, which benefited 75 businesses, we have provided support for staff training, product branding and participation in fairs abroad to find new markets. Thus, we have helped our local businesses to expand their manufacturing and processing capacities in order to increase local production, employment and export.
Last year, exports were 83.6 percent higher than in the previous year (2020), and this year they are even 29.5 percent higher than in 2021. This growth trend has caused the ratio between export and import to improve from almost 1:9 as it was in 2019 to less than 1:6 this year. Our expectations are that this gap will decrease even further. The improvements are big, although gradual, as our goal is to transform Kosovo, with the help of our producers, into an export-oriented economy. We need to develop our economy to the extent that our market is small for our producers.
In addition to the support of EUR 70 million to farmers and the subsidy of many agricultural crops, particularly wheat, this year we also allocated EUR 3.5 million for the development and promotion of Rural Tourism and Agritourism. Thanks to the cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development and international organizations, support in the amount EUR 20 million is foreseen for the upcoming year.
We are redistributing the economic growth of 10.7% marked in the previous year and the increase in budget revenues by 1/3 more compared to last year through various measures to citizens for well-being, to businesses for expansion, to farmers for production. Because good things multiply when they are shared.
I thank you for the invitation, I congratulate you for the organization and I wish success to each of you, and long life to the fair. Where there is work, the government will help.
Cheers!
Last modified: October 28, 2022