President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, accompanies by the heads of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, American and German Chambers of Commerce, continued today with visits to different municipalities of Kosovo, where she met with mayors of these municipalities and other local leaders.
Challenges of economic development, business support and establishment of various exemptions, with particular emphasis on attraction of foreign investments were all discussed at the meetings.
During the meetings with respective mayors, Chairman of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Safet Gërxhaliu, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Arian Zeka, and Chairman of the German Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Albert Matoshi, presented to them problems with which businesses in general are faced with, especially businesses which these chambers represent.
Mayor of Malisheva, Mr. Ragip Begaj, Mayor of Rahovec, Mr. Idriz Vehapi, Mayor of Suhareka, Mr. Sali Asllanaj, Mayor of Shtime, Mr. Naim Ismajli, and Mayor of Lipjan, Mr. Imri Ahmeti, presented from their sides to Madam President and leaders of three chambers of commerce the endeavours undertaken by the respective local governments related to the cooperation and creation of conditions for local and foreign businesses, and problems and challenges which must be overcome in this field in order to create even more favourable business conditions, especially creation of conditions for foreign investors. They also presented specific practices and cases of concrete projects in their municipalities, for which the support of central level institutions is also required.
At a statement made during the visits, President Jahjaga said:
The initiative which we commenced with yesterday continues today as well. It began with the municipality of Malisheva, now with Rahovec, and we will continue with municipalities of Suhareka, Lipjan and Shtime. We had very constructive discussions with mayors and with Chairmen of the Kosovo, American and German Chambers of Kosovo.
All these problems, difficulties and concerns we heard about today during the meetings, are the same to the ones we heard yesterday as well, which are mainly related to the status of property in municipal level, followed by issues of excessive bureaucracy at local and central levels, issues of municipal tax levels, in central levels as well, and issues related to proper and necessary communication between the central and local levels.
I believe that by the time we conclude with all the meetings in all municipalities in which these chambers of commerce undertake their activities and have their representative offices in, we will have a clearer picture, and I believe that we will come up with concrete recommendations for improvement of the situation and that there will be a greater attraction of investments in our country, and that we will generate a greater number of new job places in the coming years.
Mr. Arian Zeka, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, stated that the more meetings are being held with the municipal mayors, the more we’re becoming convinced that this initiative is an exceptionally right one. He also thanked Madam President for leading this initiative.
“We are here to talk to the mayors and to raise issues which businesses are facing, and primarily we are asking for their help in order for these municipal level problems to get solved, so that businesses are able to increase their capacities, and why not, also increase the number of working places”, added Mr. Zeka.
“ It is really saddening that , despite all the readiness we are seeing in all municipality mayors to support the private sector and support local and potential foreign investors, there are bureaucratic procedures foreseen by laws at central level. There is lack of coordination in local and central levels of governance, which must be overcome, as it does not make sense, and if we are talking about economic development, then really this coordination must be in place and also improved”.