Prishtina, 29 August, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated today in the ceremony of signing the contracts with the beneficiaries of the Program for Balanced Regional Development (PZhRB 2024), organized by the Ministry of Regional Development.
In front of those present at this event, Prime Minister Kurti expressed his satisfaction that he was among them today, at the ceremony of this initiative which supports local businesses, young entrepreneurs, women and young men of our country, to set up and develop the activities of theirs.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo is committed to supporting the private sector, which is an important factor of employment and economic growth in our country.
“Compared to 2022, now that we are talking about 2024, the Gross Domestic Product is 1/3 higher, while the annual state budget is 35 percent higher. Of course, this has also translated into increased employment, compared to three years ago, employment in Kosovo has increased by 20 percent, including the doubling of employed youth. Undoubtedly, this has also influenced the increase in profit and the expansion of private sector activity. Last year, for the implementation of measure 2.2 of the Economic Revival Package, namely the support of businesses for access to finance, we allocated 5.5 million euros for micro, small and medium businesses. Businesses were also included in the broad schemes of distributing economic growth, in a balanced way, to everyone without distinction, but also to support them in the global challenges we are facing.” said the prime minister.
In the following, he said that the undertaking of the initiative of the Program for Balanced Regional Development aims at equal socio-economic development, through the creation of new jobs, and the growth of new and productive businesses.
“Because, as we produce ourselves, we boost productivity and revitalize our products and businesses, not only internally, but also to export and penetrate even larger and international markets. To encourage young men and women, young entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses, to grow further and contribute positively to the economic life and social progress of our country.” added the prime minister.
To the beneficiaries of the program, the Prime Minister wished them success in the future, and good work in the implementation of projects in cooperation with the Ministry of Regional Development.
The signing of the contracts was done by the Minister of MFA, Fikrim Damka, with beneficiaries from the seven development regions.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Minister of Regional Development, Fikrim Damka,
Dear Deputy Ministers, Ali Tafarshiku and Eldin Uglari
Dear beneficiaries of the Grant Scheme – Program for Balanced Regional Development 2024,
Dear media present and participants,
ladies and gentlemen,
I am pleased to be among you today, at the ceremony of this initiative which supports local businesses, young entrepreneurs, women and young men of our country, to set up and develop their activities.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo is committed to supporting the private sector, which is an important factor of employment and economic growth in our country. Compared to 2022, now that we are talking about 2024, the Gross Domestic Product is 1/3 higher, while the annual state budget is 35 percent higher. Of course, this has also translated into increased employment, compared to three years ago, employment in Kosovo has increased by 20 percent, including the doubling of employed youth. Undoubtedly, this has also influenced the increase in profit and the expansion of private sector activity.
Last year, for the implementation of measure 2.2 of the Economic Revival Package, namely the support of businesses for access to finance, we allocated 5.5 million euros for micro, small and medium businesses. Businesses were also included in the broad schemes of distribution of economic growth, in a balanced way, to everyone without distinction, but also to support them in the global challenges we are facing. Since the Covid 19 pandemic, to the global energy crisis, to inflation, our country has shown stability and immunity, despite the fact that we are so integrated that global challenges become national and local.
We have not had enough or stopped there. Among the schemes designed by the Government, one of them is the Program for Balanced Regional Development, from which 901 projects worth about 7 million euros have been supported from 2021 to the current year 2024. Support for businesses has been continuous and high, to ensure greater sustainability both now and for the future.
The undertaking of the initiative of the Program for Balanced Regional Development aims at equal socio-economic development, through the creation of new jobs, and the growth of new and productive businesses. Because, as we produce ourselves, we boost productivity and revitalize our products and businesses, not only internally, but also to export and penetrate even larger and international markets. To encourage young men and women, young entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses, to grow further and contribute positively to the economic life and social progress of our country.
I wish the beneficiaries of the program continued success and good work in the implementation of projects in cooperation with the Ministry of Regional Development.
Thank you.
Last modified: August 29, 2024