Prishtina, 8 October 2026
Dear Mr. Jonathan Hargreaves, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosova,
Dear Ms. Mimoza Kusari-Lila, Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation,
Dear Mr. Emrush Ujkani, Director of the European Investors Council in Kosova,
Dear President of the Kosova Olympic Committee, Mr. Ismet Krasniqi,
Dear Mayor of Municipality of Prishtina, Mr. Përparim Rama,
Distinguished representatives of British and Kosova businesses,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is such a pleasure to welcome you all to Kosova, on the occasion of the first Kosova-UK Business Forum; an event which aims to extend our partnership with the UK well beyond the excellent political and diplomatic ties we have. While our longstanding friendship and diplomatic relations have brought our two countries closer, it is the economic ties that will create lasting connections between our people. Businesses do something which governments alone cannot: they bring practical opportunities for people by creating jobs, opening markets, and enabling ideas to transcend borders.
Kosova and the United Kingdom have built a strong and enduring alliance since 1999. Following Kosova’s declaration of independence in 2008, the UK was among the first countries to recognize us as a sovereign and independent state and establish diplomatic relations. The United Kingdom’s commitment to Kosova is also demonstrated by its contribution to KFOR and its support for our security and peace. It is therefore natural that cooperation between our two countries has been particularly strong in the defence area. And can never forget June 1999 when the first NATO troops who entered our country, were British troops led by KFOR Commander back then General Michael Johnson. So, for some time in Kosova Michael Jackson was more famous as a British army general than king of pop. And perhaps in turn we replied with our shared queen of pop Dua Lipa.
Today we take pride in the fact that Kosova has not simply been a recipient of such support, but has also taken an active role in contributing to international security herself. Within the framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, we contributed to the training of the Ukranian military in Kosova and the United Kingdom, and participated in joint deployments alongside British armed forces in the world.
As we look forward, we want to build on this solid foundation by deepening our economic and business relations, expanding trade and investment, and creating new opportunities for our businesses and entrepreneurs to work together. Kosova has much to learn from UK’s long tradition of economic transformation, while also brining its own talent and ambition to this partnership. The Industrial Revolution was a defining example of how investment, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation can transform world economies and generate opportunities for generations to come.
Kosova, too, has its own story of economic transformation. In just a generation, we have moved from the devastation of war and the challenges of rebuilding our country to an increasingly open, dynamic, and private-sector-driven economy. Our economic growth in the 1st quarter this year was 5,4% of GDP and in the 2nd quarter 4,1%, the highest growth level in our region.
Over the past five years, corporate profits in Kosova have increased by 150%. Over the same period, the number of newly established businesses has increased by 26%, while the number of newly established foreign-owned businesses has grown by 55%, reflecting growing confidence in Kosova as a place to invest and do business.
Our companies are expanding and increasing their exports, driven in large part by stronger international cooperation, greater access to international markets, and the growing capacity of Kosova’s businesses to successfully compete globally. The figures clearly demonstrate this progress: we have doubled our exports, improving the export-to-import ratio from 1:9 to 1:6. Foreign direct investment has also continued to grow, with annual FDI averaging €664 million in 2021–2023, rising to €847 million in 2024 and last year for the first time surpassing €1 billion. The information and communications technology (ICT), infrastructure, and energy sectors continue to expand, offering strong potential to attract further foreign direct investment. Because as we know when you grow also the possibilities to grow further also grow.
We have also strengthened the legal framework and that especially for foreign investment with the goal of creating a more predictable and supportive environment for investors. Kosova’s laws provide equal treatment for foreign and domestic investors, while our institutions continue to strengthen the conditions for sustainable and long-term investment. We have likewise taken important steps to simplify the business registration process and certainly reduce administrative burden. As a result, registering a business in Kosova is now a straightforward process that typically takes between 1-3 days.
Kosova has a compelling proposition to offer you as investors.
With a corporate income tax rate of just 10% and a progressive personal income tax rate of up to 10% we offer an important advantage to investors looking for a competitive and cost-efficient place to establish and grow their businesses. This is not simply about taxation. It is part of Kosova’s broader economic policy: an economy that rewards entrepreneurship, encourages investment, and creates the conditions for businesses to grow and succeed over the long term.
We want you to see Kosova not only as a market, but as a competitive platform from which to invest, operate, innovate, and expand into the wider Western Balkan region.
We have one of Europe’s youngest populations, with an average age of around 35, giving us a large and dynamic workforce with the energy and adaptability to support a growing economy. Our people are highly multilingual, with strong English language skills and widespread knowledge of other European languages, making it easier for local and international companies to serve global markets. Beyond the demographic advantage, the growing number of young people trained in information technology, engineering, and digital services creates significant opportunities for businesses to succeed. Tech sector amounts to 6% of our GDP, in comparison for example to agriculture which is 7% of our GDP.
We also offer investors strong access to regional and international markets. Kosova is part of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). The Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union which entered into force a decade ago, provides a framework for political and economic cooperation and for the gradual development of a free-trade area with the EU. We have also signed a Free Trade Agreement with the EFTA countries – Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland. That said, Kosova is the only country in the region to have negotiated not only trade in goods, but also trade in services under the agreement. In 2021, the Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement between Kosova and the UK has entered into force, making trade between our two countries more affordable and competitive.
The trade relationship between our two countries is growing. But there is significant room to expand this relationship, and the opportunities are clear – from professional services and digitalisation to infrastructure, energy, and mining.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I wish you all a wonderful and productive forum. I am sure there will be tea for our British friends, coffee for our Kosova friends, and, hopefully, new partnerships for everyone.
Thank you.