Prishtina, 20 June 2026
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, attended the conference “Women in Business – She Rises 2026,” organized by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation.
Appreciating the progress of women in society and in the business world, Acting Prime Minister Kurti said that “every business you lead, every job you create, and every challenge you overcome contributes to building a stronger economy.”
In his opening remarks, he emphasized that in our institutions we have distinguished women politicians who lead with knowledge, competence, courage, and high integrity, and that this progress in the political sphere confirms that when women are given space, they prove that they are capable of leading important processes.
“It is essential that this success we are seeing in the political sphere is also seen with the same momentum in the economy, in entrepreneurship, and in business ownership. An economically independent woman is the pillar of a strong family, a progressive society, and a developed economy,” said Acting Prime Minister Kurti.
Addressing women entrepreneurs, Acting Prime Minister Kurti said that “your success is Kosovo’s success, and every business led by a woman, every job created, and every product that reaches international markets makes our country stronger, more recognized, and more developed.”
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, he thanked the women for their extraordinary contribution and assured them that they will continue to be strong partners in their path toward success.
Full speech of Acting Prime Minister Kurti:
Honourable Ms. Mimoza Kusari-Lila, Acting Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation,
Honourable Ms. Anu Prattipati, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Mission to the Republic of Kosovo,
Honourable Mr. Cyprien Francois, Acting Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo,
Dear other colleagues from the Government, the Assembly, and state institutions,
Dear women entrepreneurs,
Dear participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Whenever women gather in one place, they bring together ideas, experiences, ambitions, and stories that deserve to be heard. Today, in this hall are women who have chosen to create opportunities where obstacles often existed, women who have chosen to build, invest and lead.
Your presence here is evidence of a significant change taking place in our country’s economy. Every business you lead, every job you create, and every challenge you overcome contributes to building a stronger economy.
In recent years, we have made significant strides in increasing women’s representation in politics. Today, in our institutions, we have distinguished women politicians who lead with knowledge, competence, courage, and high integrity. This progress in the political sphere confirms that when women are given space, they prove that they are capable of leading important processes.
However, political and social emancipation remains fragile without economic emancipation and independence. Sustainable economic development cannot move at half pace; it requires the full potential of all our citizens. Therefore, conferences and summits like this one today are so vital.
It is essential that this success we are seeing in the political sphere is also seen with the same momentum in the economy, in entrepreneurship, and in business ownership. An economically independent woman is the pillar of a strong family, a progressive society, and a developed economy.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo is convinced that equality is the guiding principle and the only path to progress. Therefore, we have ensured that our support for women in business does not remain merely declarative, but is translated into dedicated programs, such as direct subsidies and improved access to finance. And the results speak for themselves.
In recent years, through the scheme for production and processing machinery, a total of 399 businesses have been supported, 55 of which are owned or co-owned by women.
Through the product certification scheme, 60 businesses have been supported, 11 of which are businesses owned or co-owned by women.
Within the framework of the “Digital Empowerment Initiative” project, 124 enterprises have been supported, 69 of which are owned or co-owned by women.
In the handicraft sector, 7 businesses have been supported, 5 of which were owned or co-owned by women. And in the field of innovation and start-ups, 49 businesses have been supported, 12 of which were owned or co-owned by women.
During 2025 alone, 16 women-led businesses in the creative industry and 8 women-led businesses in the Information and Communication Technology sector have been supported.
In total, 732 businesses have been supported through various support schemes, 176 of which are owned or co-owned by women.
Behind every grant, every project, and every business are women who have had the courage to invest, employ, produce, and contribute to the development of our country.
In addition to direct support grant schemes for businesses, the Government, namely the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation, headed by your and our Minister, Mimoza Kusari Lila, is investing around 30 million euros per year in the construction and development of industrial and technological parks, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, including women entrepreneurs, and increasing capacities for the production of “Made in Kosova” products.
At the same time, we are working on promoting successful local businesses in international markets. A good example is the participation of 10 women-led businesses in the “She Leads” fair, held last week in Zurich, Switzerland, with the support of the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation.
During 2026 as well, we will continue to expand support for businesses, innovation, digitalization, and women’s entrepreneurship, including the establishment of the Division for Women Entrepreneurs within the Agency that is being established by the Ministry.
To support employment and economic development, the “Superpuna për Gratë” Program will be launched, which will guarantee the minimum wage for six months for women entering or returning to the labour market, thereby creating benefits for both employees and businesses.
Dear women entrepreneurs,
In the short to medium term, one of the challenges facing our economy, which is growing at 4 percent per year, is precisely the labour force. First, the labour force, and secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, the skilled labour force. Therefore, this “Superpuna për Gratë” Program exists in the upcoming mandate to ensure that more women are employed and earn income.
Meanwhile, the dual system, which currently has 16 profiles, will add 10 new ones, in order to ensure that this employment is skilled employment. In other words, to ensure that employment is as high-quality as possible, so that both business benefits and wages in the private sector continue to increase.
Creative industries will also be one of the main pillars of development, with 200 million euros of investments planned to strengthen sectors such as marketing, architecture, publishing, art, design, fashion, film, crafts, video games and information technology services. All of this is done because we believe in you.
There are numerous studies showing that women do not lag behind men in performance, success, or results. However, what women face more is doubt and prior scepticism about their performance. Consequently, the problem is not women; the problem is those who doubt women, and those who are sceptical of women, and yet this is then attributed to women, respectively to their performance.
In other words, in Kosovo, and not only here—because this is the case across the world, to varying degrees and across different periods of history—the problem is not the lack of women’s performance, but rather an excess of scepticism toward them. And as the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, through concrete programs, we demonstrate that we believe in you. We do not doubt you, nor are we sceptical of you. On the contrary, we believe strongly in you.
Dear entrepreneurs,
Your success is Kosovo’s success. Every business led by a woman, every job created, and every product that reaches international markets makes our country stronger, more recognized, and more developed.
Therefore, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, I thank you for your extraordinary contribution and assure you that we will continue to be strong partners in your path toward success.
I hope that the First Women in Business Conference in such a large format, “She Rises”, will also achieve its intended goals.
Congratulations and best wishes for even greater success in the future.
Thank you for the invitation!
