Prishtina, 30 October 2012 – The Government is doing everything in its power to provide the necessary prerequisites for providing better services to our citizens. We are able to advance such services with support from our friends, including Japan, said the Minister of Economic Development, Besim Beqaj.

The Head of MED made these comments during the handover ceremony of 43 waste collection trucks, which were donated by the Japanese Government, through Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in which present were also the Minister of Environment, Dardan Gashi, Japanese Ambassador in Vienna, Shigeo Iwatani, Kosovar Ambassador in Tokio, Ahmet Shala and Mayors of Prizren and Suhareka Municipalities and local officials.

“We appreciate highly the fact that the agreement regarding these trucks was signed in 2010, whereas its implementation was postponed due to the developments in Fukoshima, however, this witnesses the trust that Japan has proven towards the people of Kosovo, and economical and political assistance which comprises the most valuable gift to Kosovo people and institutions,” said Beqaj.

For his part, the Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, Dardan Gashi, said that this is a great project that speaks for itself; namely the provision of 43 trucks to be used for the collection of urban waste, which will be distributed to Prizren, Prishtina, Suhareka, Rahovec, Malishevë and Dragash municipalities.

“There is no doubt that this project, valued at over 5 million euro, will significantly improve the lives of the residents of these municipalities by providing them with healthier environments” said Gashi, while expressing his appreciation to Japan’s contribution in improving the environment in Kosovo.

Japanese Environment in Vienna, Shigeo Iwatani, also present in this ceremony, said that the purpose of this donation is valued at around 5 million dollars, and will assist local authorities of the two larger cities in improving waste collection.

“I hope that waste collection with these trucks will represent a good start for all future endeavors, and as the basis that will spark adequate implementation of saving, reuse and recycling of waste, aimed at preserving valuable materials and protecting our environments.

Further, the Head of Prizren Municipality, Ramadan Muja, said that Prizren is renown as one of the cleanest cities of Southeast Europe and the Balkans, and that certainly the utilization of these trucks, provided as a gift by the friendly state of Japan, will help the city become even cleaner – an example to be followed by the rest of Southeast Europe.

Otherwise, during his visit in Prizren, Minister Beqaj visited the metal (zinc and cuprum) processing company ‘Zinkunie’, where he was received by its management who informed him on the business endeavors and challenges faced by it.

For his part, Minister Beqaj reiterated Government objectives to strengthen the private sector, ensuring them that they will enjoy institutional support in finding solutions for all problems they might face.