IFC, Swiss Government help Kosovo improve business environment and increase investment

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has signed an agreement with Kosovo’s Ministry of Trade and Industry to help improve the business environment by reforming the business inspections system, simplifying administrative procedures, and providing better services to investors.

The agreement is part of IFC’s Investment Climate Project in Kosovo, which aims to boost the competitiveness of smaller businesses in the country by reducing the costs of complying with regulations and help attract and retain investment by strengthening the legal and policy framework.

“The number of investors ready to enter the Kosovo market is increasing,” said Bajram Hasani, Minister of Trade. “With this project, we want to reduce the number of unnecessary business inspections, ease the administrative burden for businesses, and serve investors more efficiently.”

“Our goal is to improve Kosovo’s investment climate for both domestic and foreign investors,” said Thomas Lubeck, IFC Regional Manager for Central and Southeast Europe. “We will be working with the Ministry of Trade and Industry on regulatory reform to help increase transparency and attract investment to Kosovo to boost economic growth and job creation.”

The Swiss Government has contributed $2.3 million to the broader Investment Climate Project, which will be implemented through 2020. The project is aligned with the Swiss Cooperation Strategy’s objectives for Kosovo 2017-2020 to create an enabling environment for businesses and increase investment.

Original source: IFC
Published on 10 May 2018