Drenas, November 25, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, participated in the inauguration of the commencement of works for the construction of the Industrial Park in Drenas.
Prime Minister Kurti, on this occasion, stated that what we are particularly focused on is transitioning from non-functional economic zones to specialized industrial parks, green industrial parks, and technology and innovation parks. Furthermore, the Prime Minister stated that these industrial parks are evidence that we not only believe in free competition among businesses, but also facilitate collaboration among businesses for added value.
Park Drenas 2 is expected to be as green as possible, with access to renewable energy, waste management facilities, and similar features, and it will serve our businesses with innovative activities to increase recycling in production and contribute to the development of the green industry.
Initiated by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, as well as the KIESA agency, this park will cover an area of 36.5 hectares, will be owned by the Government, will have an investment of 7.7 million euros, and will provide space for 50 manufacturing businesses, including those with innovative activities that will contribute to and benefit from the circular economy.
In this event, the Mayor of the Municipality of Drenas, Ramiz Lladrovci, and the Member of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Enver Dugolli, were also present.
Full Speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Honorable Mayor of the Municipality of Drenas, Mr. Ramiz Lladrovci,
Honorable Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Ms. Rozeta Hajdari,
Honorable Member of the Assembly of the Republic, Mr. Enver Dugolli,
Honorable representatives of businesses and business associations,
Honorable employees of the Ministry, especially those of KIESA,
Ladies and gentleman,
This week we are starting off well and with other work for the benefit of the citizens and the state. We just came from Izvori, from Zveçan, where we laid the foundation stone for the new police substation, and now we are here in Drenas, as we inaugurate the start of construction for the General Industrial Park 2, at the 22nd kilometer along the Prishtina – Peja highway, in the village of Korretica e Epërme, opposite the existing Business Park in this municipality.
At the 208th meeting of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, on June 13, 2024, we approved the establishment of this park, which, as stated by Zef, will cover an area of 36.5 hectares and will be owned by the Government. With an investment of 7.7 million euros, we are expanding the space for an additional 50 manufacturing and beneficiary businesses, including businesses with innovative activities that will contribute to and benefit from the circular economy. This important project was initiated and proposed by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Trade, as well as by the KIESA agency, and is among the implemented economic zone projects that bring positive aspects both in terms of investment value and the significance of this park.
With good governance and developmental policies, we are empowering the country’s economy and supporting the manufacturing sector to unleash its full potential and contribute more effectively to sustainable and inclusive development for the citizens of our country. Thus, a development that withstands the test of time and a development that leaves no one behind.
Supporting the establishment of modern industrial parks with features suitable for environmental protection is one of our governmental measures within the framework of the Industrial Policy 2030, with primary objectives for expanding industrial production, facilitating circular and green industry, generating better and inclusive employment, increasing the participation of inputs, local resources in production, and reducing the industrial trade deficit.
Park Drenas 2 is expected to be as green as possible, with access to renewable energy, waste management facilities, and similar features. All these are essential for the production of carbon-neutral products, as our exports are increasing and this tax, which subsequently raises the cost of production, will be paid more and more.
This park will serve our businesses with innovative activities to increase recycling in production and to contribute to the development of the green industry, so that the products of Kosovo meet European standards and for the European market, which is our main external market, we have more and more products that possess both quality and the standardization of that quality.
And furthermore, this park will contribute to the promotion and support of sustainable local and foreign investments, encouraging local businessmen to invest here, to reinvest their profits, as well as foreign investors. It is known that foreign direct investments have increased by 134 percent over the past three years, with their various manufacturing and processing activities, as well as in employment and the skill development of the workforce, the promotion and transfer of advanced technology, facilitating cooperation between businesses, fostering an innovative ecosystem, enhancing competitiveness, and certainly supporting exports.
These industrial parks are evidence that we not only believe in free competition among businesses but also facilitate cooperation between businesses for added value.
With the reform through the New Law on Industrial and Technological Parks, with the new and respective administrative guidelines, and with a 3 framework budget of 30 million euros in capital investments, we are constructing and bringing into operation all the established economic zones, with the aim of transforming all economic zones into effective industrial parks and effective technological parks.
Therefore, what we are particularly focusing on is the transition from non-functional economic zones or economic zones with numerous activities but lacking proper management, towards specialized industrial parks, green industrial parks, and technology and innovation parks.
All these reforms and this progress in support of the private sector are evidence that the Government is fully committed to supporting businesses oriented towards production and innovation, and to creating new opportunities for the employment of our youth.
Thus, for the realization of our vision which is as innovative as it is developmental, I wish you a successful start of the works and completion of the “Construction of Infrastructure in Industrial Park 2 – General Park in Drenas”.
Congratulations and thank you!
Last modified: November 26, 2024