Hertica, Podujevo, 21 March 2023
To mark the extent of the telecommunications infrastructure in the entire territory of Kosovo, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, visited the village of Hertica in the municipality of Podujeva.
In early spring, today we are marking an important achievement for our country, the connection of the latest village to the Internet Brezigjen, said Prime Minister Kurti.
We are achieving a key objective that has to do with one of the main principles of our governance, which is inclusiveness. In our journey towards digitalization it is important that no one is left behind, he added.
The prime minister emphasized that the government is ensuring that the benefits of digitalization are enjoyed by all citizens regardless of the region, gender, ethnicity, or economic status. Investing in the infrastructure, we are breaking barriers and ensuring that all citizens have equal access to the digital world, he added.
Beyond digitalization in the government, the prime minister emphasized that it is aimed at supporting the digital economy as an important factor in economic growth. But, he further added, the development of governance and digital economy requires infrastructure and skills, and a broad ecosystem of innovation and that through the Kosovo Digital Economy Program – codes, with the support of the World Bank, the Ministry of Economy is engaged in creating these prerequisites. Thanks to this program, over 400 young people have already been trained in various areas of information and communication technology, while by the end of the program this number will reach 2,000. It has also been made possible to connect to the Internet Breaks of 201 villages, 107 schools and 43 ambulances, which have not previously had such a connection.
This connection of rural areas, including the deepest ones, on the Internet, is not just an infrastructure project. It is a step forward in the overall growth and development of our state. It is an approach to services, opportunities for better education and health care, and economic prosperity in every corner of the country, the prime minister said.
He emphasized that from today Kosovo is the most covered country with the infrastructure – it is a champion in the region and comparable to the developed countries of the European Union for the extension and use of the internet.
Speaking about the government’s engagement, Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that we will soon inaugurate the Digital Technology Park in Bernice, which will provide a new important platform for the development and growth of the information and communication technology industry in Kosovo. This park is also a government investment in the innovation ecosystem, in addition to the continuous investment together with the German government in the Innovation Park and Training in Prizren.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Minister of Economy, Ms. Artane Rizvanolli,
Dear Mayor of Podujeva, Prof. Shpejtim Buliqi,
Dear Mayor of the village Mr. Florim Muqolli
Dear representatives of the World Bank, Ms. Klingen, Mr. Paolucci, and Mrs. Gelvanovska,
Distinguished Chairman of the ARKEP Board, Mr. Rahimi,
Dear Representatives of Internet Services providers,
Dear participants,
Ladies and gentleman,
Sisters and brothers,
In early spring, today we are marking an important achievement for our country – connecting the latest village to the Internet Brezgiej. We are achieving a key objective that has to do with one of the main principles of our governance, which is inclusiveness.
In our journey to digitalization it is important that no one is left behind. We are making sure that the benefits of digitalization are enjoyed by all citizens regardless of the region, gender, ethnicity, or economic status. In investing in the infrastructure, we are breaking barriers and ensuring that all citizens have equal access to the digital world.
We are committed to applying inclusive digitization that we expect to bring many benefits to the state and our society. The new e-government strategy that comes out next week in public consultation lays the foundations of transparent and accountable digital governance that has a citizen at the center.
Beyond digitalization in government, we aim to support digital economy as an important factor in economic growth. But the development of government and digital economy requires infrastructure and skills, and a wide ecosystem of innovation. Through the Kosovo Digital Economy Program – Code, with the support of the World Bank, the Ministry of Economy is engaged in the creation of these preconditions.
Thanks to this program, over 400 young people have already been trained in various areas of information and communication technology, while by the end of the program this number will reach 2,000.
It also enabled the internet connecting of 201 villages, 107 schools and 43 ambulances, which have not previously had such a connection. Hertica is a well -known village throughout Kosovo because it has historically defended our territories here in the border areas with Serbia and we know that 8 villagers were killed during the war, a girl is still missing, but despite the destruction even suffering and damages, Hertica is a settlement of workers who love their country, so even after the burning of 80 houses during the war, the village has been rebuilt and developed by reconstructing 55 houses. Therefore, this village known for its neighborhoods, such as Muqolli, Sheholli, Stublla, Maloku and Lushaku and others we somehow return a small portion of the debt we have for their contribution to both the economy and in the protection and protection in the history of our country.
Also on the road I saw two mosques that are older than 200 years old about cultural heritage in Hertica. Hertica is also blessed with the beautiful landscape with all these mountains and rolling mountains, it is a little fresh today because the altitude here is about 800 meters but the prominent hospitality is warming us all and I thank the village mayor for this In which case I would also like to talk about the support we have made in other areas because the fertile meadows and fields of Hertica are an agricultural land that needs to be worked out and derived from it. Our government like never before put the village and the farmer first.
In January this year, we have approved the program for direct payments – subsidies for 2023. We have allocated over 65 million euros for grants and subsidies, while for direct payments over 40 million euros.
This year’s program innovations are the subsidy of wheat seed with 614 €/ha, including: 250 euros per surface, 150 euros for fertilizer, 54 euros for oil and 4 cents per kilo, or an average of 160 euros. Chestnut will join this year in terms of subsidizing wood-ratings with 504 euros per hectare, including oil subsidy. Also this year for the first time we subsidize sunflower with 454 €/ha. We will continue this year with: Subsidizing wheat, corn, potatoes, and beans. This is how we will be closer to local producers.
From here I urge the farmers and farmers of Hertica to apply until March 29, that I will come again, but it will not come before March 29. So until March 29 is the deadline you should use as an opportunity for crops. You can provide the criteria and other data on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, and this will be much easier for you, because you will now have internet internet access to all these applications that are made by the state for the population.
This connection of rural areas, including the deepest ones, on the Internet, is not just an infrastructure project. It is a step forward in the overall growth and development of our state. It is an access to services, opportunities for better education and health care, and economic prosperity in every corner of the country. Therefore, from today Kosovo is the most covered place with the infrastructure – is a champion in the region and comparable to the developed countries of the European Union for the extension and use of the internet.
The government’s commitment to the creation of prerequisites for digital economy goes beyond this code program. We will soon inaugurate the Digital Technology Park in Bernice, which will provide a new important platform for the development and growth of the information and communication technology industry in Kosovo. This park is also a government investment in the innovation ecosystem, in addition to the continuous investment together with the German government in the Innovation Park and Training in Prizren.
In the end, I would like to thank our partner – the World Bank for the unreserved support of our institutions, in this case the Ministry of Economy.
Thank you all for your dedicated work and wish you continued success.
Last modified: March 22, 2023