Gjakova, 17 May 2026
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the presentation of the Industrial Park concept in Gjakova, organized by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation.
Describing Gjakova as a city with a tradition in entrepreneurship, trade and production, where work itself is a culture, the Acting Prime Minister stated that the private sector is the locomotive of Kosovo’s economic development.
“Our plan is that during the next four years we will build 14 industrial parks throughout Kosovo, with an investment of 30 million euros from the Government of Kosovo. Mitrovica, Gjilan, Lipjan, Drenas, Rahovec and Podujeva are only some of the municipalities where these parks will be developed. And naturally, Gjakova cannot be absent from this vision,” he said.
Acting Prime Minister Kurti mentioned the objectives of strengthening domestic production, replacing imported products and increasing exports with “Made in Kosova” products.
Full Speech by Prime Minister Kurti:
Dear business representatives,
Dear entrepreneurs and private sector partners,
Honourable Minister Mimoza Kusari-Lila,
Honourable Deputy Ministers Zef, Arton and Fatban,
Dear attendees,
I am pleased to be here together with you today in Gjakova, a city with a tradition in entrepreneurship, trade and production. Such a strong tradition that one could say that in Gjakova, work itself is culture.
The private sector is the locomotive of Kosovo’s economic development. It is our businesses that create new jobs, generate income for families across the country and contribute directly to the state budget.
Therefore, in our governing vision, returning support to businesses is seen as a necessity for development. The more our businesses grow, the more Kosovo’s economy grows, the stronger the state becomes and the more the well-being of our citizens improves.
We want the state to be a development partner for businesses, never an obstacle. This means more favorable policies, more efficient procedures, greater support and, of course, fewer administrative barriers.
Supporting domestic production is extremely important for reducing the trade deficit. Our goal is to strengthen domestic production, replace imported products and continuously increase exports with “Made in Kosova” products.
As proof of this, we have two undeniable facts, because they are figures, they are statistics, they are reality: during our governance, the turnover of private companies has doubled, while profits have increased by more than two and a half times. Before our governance, the overall profit of corporations in the private sector had never reached 900 million euros, whereas last year the profit amounted to 2.3 billion euros. We know this from the data of the Kosovo Tax Administration. In other words, corporate profits in the private sector increased by more than two and a half times. And naturally, this is a direct consequence of the increase in their turnover. Turnover increased from 12.5 billion euros to 25 billion euros last year.
While we continue supporting businesses through grant schemes, product certification for access to regional and international markets, as well as by facilitating the participation of our businesses in economic forums, fairs and networking activities, we also carefully listen to all the remarks and suggestions of our businesspeople.
At the beginning of this week, the Republic of Kosovo was a partner country and co-organizer of the international conference “Future Industry Minds” in Germany, where for two consecutive days our private sector companies had an extraordinary opportunity to establish new contacts and exchanges, with the aim of expanding into new markets and increasing exports.
At the same time, we are investing in digitalization, innovation and stronger links between education and the private sector, because the modern economy requires knowledge, technology and a prepared workforce. Even in today’s era of artificial intelligence, it is clear that we have never needed human intelligence more — in other words, prepared people, increasingly well-prepared people. In parallel, we are working to make Kosovo a more attractive destination for foreign investors. Proximity to the European Union market, a qualified workforce and competitive costs position us very well in this regard.
And our diaspora also represents a special potential for this development. They are the other half of Kosovo, spread across Europe, America and beyond. Their connection with their homeland is unique. The more I meet and speak with them, the more convinced I become of the great potential they have to invest and contribute to the development of our country. Therefore, alongside plans for investments in basic infrastructure such as roads, railways and increased energy capacities, we have developed a new vision for industrial parks. Our plan is that during the next four years we will build 14 industrial parks throughout Kosovo, with an investment of 30 million euros from the Government of Kosovo. Mitrovica, Gjilan, Lipjan, Drenas, Rahovec and Podujeva are only some of the municipalities where these parks will be developed.
And naturally, Gjakova cannot be absent from this vision. In Gjakova, the foundations of the military industrial zone have already begun, where serious investors will produce drones, weapons and ammunition “Made in Kosova.” But today we are here to discuss another strategically important project: the first Green Industrial Park in Kosovo, conceptualized with the support of German experts. The plan is to transform the spaces of Metaliku and Virginia into a modern and fully functional industrial park.
My colleague, Minister Mimoza Kusari-Lila, will present the park model in greater detail, but the main idea is to create better conditions for businesses, reduce operational costs, reduce negative environmental impact, increase employment and improve the well-being of our citizens without distinction.
In conclusion, I would like to thank you for your work, dedication and contribution to Kosovo. I assure you that, as the Government of the Republic, we will continue to stand close to businesses and work every day to create more opportunities for development.
Thank you!
