Good morning everyone,
Dear organizers,
Dear participants,
Dear entrepreneurs,
Dear representatives of the partner organizations that have continuously supported entrepreneurship in Kosovo for many decades
Thank you in the first place for your cooperation, but above all for your commitment to Kosovo being put on the global map of countries that understand the importance of entrepreneurship, support it and want to continuously advance it.
Although both in Kosovo and globally, these are very challenging times, Global Entrepreneurship Week with a special skill turns into a festive week that focuses on the joining of innovative minds, of courageous individuals, of inspiring personalities and of the girls of boys who want to turn their ideas into concrete and successful initiatives.
While it is universally known that November is a month of holidays to us, for 10 years in a row ICK and its partners have made sure to turn November into a reference month in terms of innovation, development of the ICT sector, development and management of what's known as start-ups but also in the month where potential investors, collaborators and financiers turn their eyes towards Kosovo to see the possibility of developing projects and new collaborations in the field of entrepreneurship.
Therefore, I consider it extremely important that entrepreneurship does not encounter obstacles, that the entrepreneurial spirit has the liberty and above all has support, while we together see possibilities of finding solutions for the socio-economic challenges we are facing, and why not, even for political challenges. Therefore, I have gladly accepted that this jubilee edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Week is organized under the patronage of the Office of the President.
Our societies are constantly evolving. At the core of this evolution has always been entrepreneurship, the curiosity and desire to do things better and the commitment to improve the standards of life for as many people as possible on the planet we live on.
Again, despite numerous initiatives, events, regular funding, investments and continuous meetings, we understand that the challenges around the world are only increasing.
Therefore, we should not cease working, collaborating and supporting each other, because the desire of entrepreneurs, the power of institutions and the support of investors are the best recipe for sustainable and long-term solutions to our daily challenges.
I say constantly and in almost every forum in the country and abroad that I am extremely proud of the work, vision and dedication of each and every one of you, because you have really given Kosovo many reasons to be proud of your achievements.
You have transformative power, you have become a wave of continuous development and a source of inspiration for many, many girls and boys in Kosovo, in the region and beyond. Therefore, I thank you all for your work; for the courage you show while traversing this path; for persistence, as it is a must, especially when you face obstacles on the way, as well as for the success you have achieved, which as you said, serves as an inspiration for many, many young men and women.
While I was talking earlier to my staff, they informed me that in the Innovative Centre of Kosovo, known as ICK, for these 10 years around 600 start-ups or more have commenced. These are around 600 dreams, which have turned into initiatives, which have become a reality. These are 600 steps bringing us closer to the necessary and existential solutions for the economy, education, energy, the environment and information technology – for our society, regardless of which field we are talking about. Yes, many incubators, associations, civil society organizations, universities and businesses throughout Kosovo have worked with such vigour. And for this reason alone you are a special pride, each and every one of you are, as you are as well an additional incentive for all institutions not to cease believing in the entrepreneurial spirit.
Although entrepreneurship knows no boundaries, as you know better than anyone else, it knows many challenges. The challenges have been and at times remain more pronounced for girls and women in Kosovo. Therefore today, I want to congratulate in particular each female entrepreneur present here today and also every woman and girl who did not have the possibility to join us today. You are the best example for the new generations because you are the purest evidence that when there is determination, work and insistence, success is always possible.
Dear participants,
Days like these remind us best where the heart of our societies and communities beats. We may not be able to meet and exchange thoughts and discussions as often as we would like, but I would like you to always remember that the doors of my office are always open to you and to others who want to follow in your footsteps.
Right after this event, I will continue with a visit to one of the most educational and innovative enterprises in the country, trying to make such visits more and more frequent in the agenda of institutions in order to encourage their continuous work and success.
Thank you once again for your cooperation. Continue to be an inspiration, break barriers, set new standards and lead our country to even greater heights.
I want to congratulate you all for the organization because it is a joint merit and during this week I wish you success, I wish you more new partnerships, initiatives and many ideas, especially at this difficult time for Kosovo with many political and security challenges. It is events like this one that give us more power, give us more inspiration and show us that every effort and every engagement is absolutely worth it for every one of you, for each of our citizens and for our Kosovo.
So let us commence Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Congratulations to all of you and many forthcoming successes!