Mimoza Kusari-Lila, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry, discusses Kosovo’s trade policies and opportunities for investors.
European Times: What is the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s mission?
Mimoza Kusari-Lila: We want to bring Kosovo’s trade policies fully in line with the EU’s. At the end of this year the ministry will be in charge of developing a free-trade agreement with the EU, and we are working to remove all trade barriers. Our ministry is also in charge of trade promotion. We are here to provide investors with all the information they need as well as the infrastructure which will ensure that their investments are a success.
European Times: What has your ministry done to make investing in Kosovo easier?
Mimoza Kusari-Lila: We have streamlined procedures for starting a business and simplified construction permits and other processes. We have opened 22 one-stop shops around the country and will open six more. Investors can now find information and register companies in almost every municipality.
European Times: Why should investors choose Kosovo?
Mimoza Kusari-Lila: The IMF ranks Kosovo’s fiscal policy the best in Europe, since it is very simple and offers many incentives. Kosovo has a 10% flat tax, no tax on reinvested profits, and only 16% VAT. In addition, we have a young, multilingual, low-cost workforce.
European Times: What are some of Kosovo’s success stories?
Mimoza Kusari-Lila: ICT company 3CIS, AS Foods, a successfully privatised metal-processing company, a rubber-processing plant, and many textiles companies are a few of the examples of highly successful export-oriented enterprises in Kosovo. We want to attract more export-oriented companies which will boost our trade balance and enhance Kosovo’s reputation as a business base.
European Times: What about joint ventures?
Mimoza Kusari-Lila: We strongly favour joint ventures with international companies which bring new know-how to Kosovo while Kosovo provides skilled labour and understanding of the local and regional market. One successful joint venture is IPKO, our second mobile operator. Slovenia is a key joint-venture partner, for example in the Peja Brewery and in the financial sector. Devolli, in the dairy sector, and Rugova are just two examples of excellent potential local partners.
European Times: What is your personal message to investors?
Mimoza Kusari-Lila: Come and invest in Kosovo! It is a young country with a youthful, skilled, motivated workforce as well as great natural resources and many high-potential sectors.
