Prishtina, 08 July 2008
Honorable ambassador,
Honorable friends,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a special pleasure to be here today on this occasion of the opening of the British Chamber of Commerce.
I want to use the opportunity to thank you all for the unreserved support for the independence of the country and for its recognition by Great Britain.
Moreover, the support of Britain was not only related to the status, but it also relates to the financial and other ways of boosting the developments in Kosovo.
Kosovo is a new state with a wide range of developmental needs. Our goal is to speed up the implementation of our developmental priorities in cooperation with our partners.
We have trust in our friends, and amongst them, Britain has a special place.
Great Britain has an extraordinary experience worldwide; therefore the opening of the British Chamber of Commerce is very welcome for us. This will have a positive impact on our identifying of new opportunities for economic development, promoting Kosovo as a safe and attractive state for foreign investments.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our vision for the development of Kosovo represents the basis for a Kosovo belonging to its people, a country is developing in harmony with the democratic principles, with a sustainable economy, multiethnic environment, and full commitment for European and Euro-Atlantic integration through implementing the highest criteria of responsibility and transparency.
And on this, the Government is dividing its priorities in four main pillars:
Economic development,
Implementation of the status settlement agreement,
Good governance, and
Alleviation of poverty and improving of social stability.
Our motto in accomplishing these priorities has been and will be a Kosovo that is a more attractive place for the foreign investments in the region and beyond.
Allow me to say that the Government of Kosovo has made considerable progress in creating a favorable climate for the business community – in conformity with the European Union standards, where the law is respected, where the property rights and obligations are recognized and accepted by everyone, and where a favorable legal and trade infrastructure prevails for the private and public businesses.
Fight against corruption, reduction of informal economy, liberalization of procedures to enter the market, drafting and implementation of a series of encouraging steps for the investors and modernizing of the financial sector are just some of the measures we have taken, in order to make Kosovo an attractive place for the investors, be them local or international.
We all know that the development of Kosovo does not depend on the public sector only, but also on the private business community. It is the private sector that will generate incomes and it is the private sector that will be the main generator of new job opportunities. And we need a lot of new jobs.
Kosovo offers many investment opportunities:
Rich in natural resources
Young and motivated population
Free access to European Union market and the markets in the neighboring countries
Modern EU-compatible legal framework
Because of these reasons, we have created a suitable environment for investments, offering international investors:
National treatment (the international investor will be treated the same as the local investors)
Guarantees for unlimited use of income
Easy and simple business registration procedure (to be completed in one day)
Allow me to conclude my speech by saying that Kosovo is in need of your expertise, and that you are welcome and that you have my support.
I wish you a good work.
Thank you!