It is a pleasure to be with you today at this conference, which brings together women entrepreneurs from Kosovo, the region, and the diaspora.
This is an opportunity to showcase your work, exchange experiences, and create new possibilities.
The economic empowerment of women is a matter of equality, as well as a matter of economic development. When women have the opportunity to develop their own businesses, society as a whole benefits. Jobs are created, competition increases, and the economy is strengthened.
Nevertheless, women still face obstacles in accessing financing, markets, and business networks. Therefore, we must create conditions that enable them not only to start businesses but also to develop and expand them.
This issue also holds personal significance for me. In the early 2000s, I was part of the working group on the Integration of Women into the Economy during the drafting of Kosovo’s Action Plan for Achieving Gender Equality. The plan was adopted in 2004.
Since then, my conviction has remained the same: gender equality gains real meaning when it translates into concrete opportunities for women.
Kosovo has made progress. Over 12,000 women have benefited from employment support programs. But we must do more.
Access to credit remains one of the primary challenges. Banks and financial institutions should consider more flexible lending criteria. A business should be evaluated based on its idea, plan, and potential—not merely on the assets it can offer as collateral.
Furthermore, childcare services are essential. In Kosovo, women spend an average of 6.2 hours per day performing unpaid labor. This burden limits the time they have available for employment and business development. Investing in such services is an investment in women’s economic independence.
This conference creates opportunities for collaboration, business meetings, and access to new markets. I hope these engagements lead to concrete partnerships and long-term results.
The economic empowerment of women is a shared responsibility among institutions, the financial sector, businesses, and international partners.
Women entrepreneurs possess the ideas, skills, and determination to succeed. It is our duty to ensure they have equal opportunities to realize their full potential.
To all the women and girls here: I wish you great success in your ideas, creativity, investments, and in achieving tangible results.
Thank you!
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