Prishtina, 15 April 2026
Full speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Thank you, Mr. Shala—Gent Shala—I remembered your name. Gent forgot to mention that the annual membership fee is €350, which means it is less than the monthly minimum wage in Kosovo, currently €425 and increasing to €500 as of July 1.
Distinguished participants,
When I was told that in mid-April, on a Wednesday morning, I should attend a meeting about an association, I was a bit skeptical. But when I learned it was about an association of leading businesses in the service sector, everything changed.
Honorable Mr. Henrik Riby, Deputy Head of Mission of Sweden in the Republic of Kosovo,
Honorable Mr. Egzon Rexhepi, Chairman of the Board of ABSL Kosovo,
Honorable Ms. Tranda Gjonbalaj Pefqeli, Chief Operating Officer of Concentrix,
Distinguished members of ABSL,
Distinguished representatives of Sida, Helvetas, and Help,
Distinguished participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Kosovo has chosen to work, to learn, and to be open to the world. I am pleased to be here with you today and thank the organizers for enabling this dialogue. I take this opportunity to congratulate ABSL Kosovo on its first anniversary—short in time, but significant in results.
The BPO and ICT service sectors are among the fastest-growing in our economy. Today, they directly employ over 47,000 people, representing not only those who work, manage, create, and develop, but also families, homeowners, and young people choosing to stay in Kosovo and in their cities, which are continuously advancing.
Concentrix, the main sponsor of this meeting, understood this very well and very early. Their decision to open centers not only in Prishtina, but also in Mitrovica and Prizren demonstrates confidence in the potential of the entire country, not just the capital. I appreciate this vision and sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Today, 11,410 businesses are active in the digital economy and professional and support services sector, with a turnover reaching €2 billion in 2025, marking an average annual growth of 16%. Of these, 78% generate income from international markets, mainly from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. This shows that Kosovo exports not only products, but also skills and knowledge.
I would like to dwell longer on the figures, as there is much to discuss. However, I have been asked not to do so today—and rightly so—as Data4X will present the data later. Therefore, I leave this part to them, as they do it more accurately and better. Still, figures tell only half the story.
If you ask me what Kosovo’s greatest asset is, I will naturally say our people. We are the youngest population in Europe, with more than half under the age of 35. They speak multiple languages, are talented and optimistic, and are educated to develop their potential. According to the report by Emerging Europe, Kosovo has the highest number of ICT students per capita among 23 European countries covered by the report.
Moreover, we have strong ties with our diaspora, over one million of whom live in German-speaking countries—a capital that cannot be overstated.
This is clearly reflected in Kosovo’s BPO sector, where many companies have diaspora members in leadership roles—as owners, CEOs, or in other key functions—as well as employees. They understand the European market from within, speak the client’s language, and understand international business culture.
According to Emerging Europe, Kosovo ranks first in the Western Balkans region in ICT competitiveness and 11th overall. This competitiveness is evident both in cost and infrastructure.
Labor costs in Kosovo are up to 50% lower than in Central Europe. We use the euro and will soon have our own digital currency. We share the same time zone as Stockholm, Berlin, Zurich, and Madrid, and we have an increasingly favorable legal climate for investors.
All of this is supported by major infrastructure developments. Kosovo is among the top eight countries in Europe in terms of internet access and offers reliable digital infrastructure. We have moved from megabit to gigabit speeds. Three years ago, we achieved 100% broadband coverage of inhabited areas, including 5G, and for the past two years, we have been the first country in the region to phase out 3G technology. Today, over two-thirds of the territory is covered by 5G, while the rest is covered by 4G+.
The Government of Kosovo has made the development of this sector a clear priority, both strategically and in practice. The Employment Strategy 2024–2028 places ICT and BPO services at the center of job creation for young people. We are revising educational curricula in cooperation with industry, creating fiscal incentives for new investors, and simplifying administrative procedures.
Good policy is built through dialogue. What I hear—and will hear—from you today, including challenges, needs, and ideas, will undoubtedly influence government decision-making. That is why I am here with you—not only to speak, but also to listen.
Today’s event theme clearly expresses our national ambition: Kosovo is not content with the role of a low-cost nearshore destination. We are aware that the world and the labor market are changing, and we need skills and technological advancement to remain competitive. Therefore, we plan to initiate projects and establish innovation cells within the public sector to test and pilot new technologies, such as artificial intelligence. These initiatives will create additional opportunities for cooperation with the private sector and academia, both nationally and internationally. Our goal is to become a place where innovation is developed and where international companies come not only for cost, but for quality, reliability, and long-term collaboration in emerging technologies.
This is not a distant vision—it is a process already underway. Every job created and every new company established is a concrete step toward this goal.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Kosovo has everything it needs to take the next step: talented people, a strategic location, political will, innovative companies, and, of course, international partners. Our shared task—as government, industry, and society—is to turn this potential into reality.
I wish you a successful event, open discussions, and sustainable partnerships.
Thank you!