Gjakova, September 11, 2025
Distinguished attendees,
Honorable Granit and Hamdi Krasniqi,
Honorable Ambassador of the Czech Republic to our country, Mr. Bohumil Mazánek,
Esteemed partners from KES company,
Honorable Mayor of Gjakova, Ardian Gjini,
Honorable Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Mr. Mentor Arifaj,
Respected citizens and workers,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Brothers and sisters,
Today we are in Gjakova to mark an important step toward a Kosovo that is economically stronger, socially fairer, and more internationally connected. We are here to celebrate the official opening of the new production line for cables and electrical systems for the automotive industry — a great achievement for Aulona LLC and for our entire economy.
Since its founding in 1989, Aulona has successfully transitioned from repairing electric motors and transformers to specialized production for the international market.
In 2015, it entered the phase of exporting components for dry transformers for vital sectors such as hospitals, railways, and the automotive industry. And today, products manufactured in Gjakova are found in machinery and industrial equipment in the European Union, Japan, China, and the United States of America.
In cooperation with KES from the Czech Republic, this new investment has enabled the employment of over 80 workers, more than 70 of whom are women. Beyond being just a statistic, this is a reflection of our progress as a society, where women’s empowerment and gender equality are not just words but daily reality.
The company’s ambition to increase the number of employees to over 100 during the coming year is proof of the dynamism this investment brings.
This project coincides with a time when Kosovo is experiencing a special economic moment, and here are some of the key indicators of recent years:
• Kosovo, our state, ranks number one in economic growth in the Western Balkans from 2023 to 2025, according to the World Bank;
• We are first in electoral democracy in the Western Balkans, according to the V-Dem Institute; and
• We are second in Europe for civil liberties, according to Freedom House.
The Republic of Kosovo, our homeland, is thus an example of democracy and development that go hand in hand.
Of course, these are not just government achievements. They are achievements of our citizens, of our businesses, of the partnerships we are building with dedication and a shared vision.
This new production line is precisely the kind of investment we support with favorable business policies from our state:
• Corporate tax in Kosovo is only 10%;
• There is 0% Value-Added Tax on imported machinery and on exports;
• We have a competitive labor cost, with a competitive average wage;
• The volume of investment is 36% of GDP, much higher than the regional average; and
• Economic growth is stable, at 4.1% over the past 8 years.
Today, Kosovo offers fiscal clarity, structured public-private partnerships, and a favorable climate for investment in manufacturing, exports, and technology- and knowledge-based industries.
Dear attendees,
Aulona, beyond being a company here in Gjakova, is a symbol of what Kosovo can become when local capital meets international vision, when women are empowered through work, and when government, business, and foreign partners work together for a common future based on shared values.
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, I congratulate you on this major step and invite you to see this investment as a beginning, not an end — for more factories, more production, more jobs, and more Made in Kosova products reaching the world.
Congratulations AULONA! Congratulations Gjakova! Congratulations Kosovo!
Thank you for your invitation and your attention.
