Bërnica, 14 May, 2024
In the premises of TechPark Prishtina, the corner and the newest platform “Made in Kosovo” were inaugurated today, which comes as a result of the cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora and the American agency USAID. “Made in Kosovo” or MIK aims to be the first institutional digital window which will fulfill people’s interest in learning more about the reality and the economic, cultural and touristic potential of our country.
In his introductory speech, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, said that this project presents the potential, creativity and activity of our country, towards a wide recognition of an international market through our diplomatic and consular missions.
“The “Made in Kosovo” platform is not symbolic, but contains detailed information on the ten key sectors of our country, with figures that not only serve potential investors but also show the transparency with which our country is governed,” he said.
“If you enter the wine sector, for example, you can see exactly how many hectares of vineyards there are in Rahovec, Suharekë and Malishevë. As for wood processing, it appears that the industry in question had a turnover of 1 billion euros in the last 5 years. Also, the platform creates the possibility of direct communication, of the visit request, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs connects with the relevant department. So “it got lost in the mail” no longer applies to the senders of the order, nor to those who accept it”, he elaborated further.
He further added that the platform also creates opportunities for direct communication and request for a visit, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora connects with the relevant department.
Meanwhile, the physical angle of “Made in Kosovo” enables our producers, artists and entrepreneurs to appear in every diplomatic mission. According to Prime Minister Kurti, the aim of the MiK platform and corner is to build a strong and reliable image of Kosovo, expanding opportunities for local businesses to enter new markets and to attract direct foreign investments.
While these initiatives are being implemented, the prime minister recalled the lack of such a platform until today, as a result of which Kosovo remained isolated for many years outside the attention that almost all European countries enjoy. “Today, we reveal the place where the potential and work of our country can be seen. And with the name of this platform, we honor the Kosovar friendship and all those who served as diplomats of our country, before there were ministers of foreign affairs, let alone ambassadors”, he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Gërvalla, in her introductory speech, said that the MIK Platform will provide information about the main industries of Kosovo, doing business in Kosovo, tourism, export, various events, as well as other relevant information for emigrants and those interested in business, culture and tourism in Kosovo.
“Our embassies, consulates and missions all over the world are also engaged in promoting our local businesses, increasing exports and networking our businesses with diaspora and foreign businesses. The MIK platform will be a great help in this regard as well. This is how we increase our economy, this is how we increase employment, stop the migration of young people, get new experiences and strengthen our image in the world”, she said.
Being the fruit of co-publication with USAID, on the occasion of the launch of the platform today, one of the main speakers was the American ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier. In his speech, in addition to the importance and potential of the private sector in Kosovo, he also spoke about the cooperation around the creation of the “Made in Kosovo” platform, which he said will create space for something very important such as commercial diplomacy offering potential investors practical information about Kosovo and investment opportunities.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Liza Gashi, while thanking all the shareholders who have helped in this platform, gave details about the idea, development and work until its creation and launch today. She spoke about the genesis of the project based on analysis and data that have shown the need for a platform that responds to the interest of many visitors to our diplomatic missions.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Ms. Donika Gërvalla Schwarz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kosovo,
Your Excellency, Mr. Jeffrey Hovenier, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Kosovo,
Excellencies ambassadors and other diplomats of friendly countries accredited in Kosovo,
Representatives and leaders of various international organizations,
Dear Ms. Liza Gashi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kosovo,
The honorable Mr. Kreshnik Ahmeti, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora,
Dear other deputy ministers, deputies of the Assembly of the Republic, representatives, leaders of the bodies, mechanisms, institutions of our Republic,
The honorable Mr. Leart Zogjani, Skins Agency,
Dear Mayors of Kosovo Municipalities,
Dear attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
I am happy to present to you an important step together with Deputy Prime Minister Gërvalla Schwarz, on our way towards an increasingly closer future that we all deserve together. Today we gathered for the inauguration of two initiatives: the corner and the platform MiK, or “Made in Kosovo”. This project presents the potential, creativity and activity of our country, towards a wide recognition of an international market through our diplomatic and consular missions.
Steps like the one for which we are gathered today are steps forward. And every step forward adds light, illuminates the road that awaits us.
Kosovo has experienced a symbolic darkness, but also with material consequences, remaining isolated for many years outside the attention that almost all European countries enjoy. For a long time, the beauty, natural wealth, culture and kindness of our people have been hidden from many eyes and ears. For a long time, Ismail Kadare’s line in the poem “Mall”, “të zgjuarit janë bashkë në këtë botë, kurse të fjeturit janë veç”. The beauty of Kosovo is dormant in the minds of many people. And now, in the jubilee year of the liberation of our country, it is time to share with others what we have treasured for many years as the gifts of our people and country.
In the absence of a platform like the one we inaugurate today, the beauties and values of Kosovo have been spread through one of the best features of our people: friendship. Through the friendship of many people, what Kosovo has to offer has been communicated. Today, we come to the end of the absence of this platform. Today, we open the space where the potential and work of our country can be seen. And with the name of this platform, we honor the friendship of our country and all those who served as diplomats of our country, before there were ministers of foreign affairs, much less ambassadors. Today, we unveil the MIK platform, which, not coincidentally, also means “Made in Kosovo”.
The “Made in Kosovo” platform is not symbolic, but contains detailed information on the ten key sectors of our country, with figures that not only serve potential investors but also show the transparency with which our country is governed. This platform aims to be the first institutional digital window for many friends abroad, as well as for many other curious people who will become our friends interested in learning more about the reality and the economic, cultural and tourist potential of our state, as a step that preceded cooperation.
If you enter the wine sector for example, you can see exactly how many hectares of vineyards there are in Rahovec, Suharekë and Malishevë. As for wood processing, it appears that the industry in question had a turnover of 1 billion euros in the last 5 years. Also, the platform creates the possibility of direct communication, of the visit request, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs connects with the relevant department. So “it got lost in the mail” no longer applies either to the senders of the order or to those who accept it.
Today we also launch the initiative of the physical corner, Made in Kosova. In this corner, our producers, artists and entrepreneurs will appear in every diplomatic mission. The aim of the “Made in Kosovo” platform and corner is to build a strong and reliable image of Kosovo, expanding opportunities for local businesses to enter new markets and to attract direct foreign investment.
In the last three years, we have doubled exports. For example, in January 2022, the export of Kosovo products showed an increase of 62.3% compared to 2020. And yet, the value of our exports, in relation to the value of imports, represented only 18% of the total value of imports that shows that the trade deficit of our country is still high. This shows that the initiatives we are announcing today are an economic step in the right direction. This is also a moment for our country, when our diplomacy becomes an increasingly important pillar of economic development.
I thank all those in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with USAID who have built this initiative.
For Kosovo and “Made in Kosovo”. Congratulations!
Last modified: May 15, 2024