Prishtinë, 30.05.2016 – Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Besa Zogaj-Gashi and the Deputy Minister of Local Government Administration (MAPL) and adviser to the Prime Minister for Communities, Bajram Gecaj, participated in the forum “Strengthening women entrepreneurs in promoting business between Kosovo and Serbia”, which took place in Belgrade.

The conference was attended by the British Ambassador in Belgrade Denis Keefe, representatives of the Kosovo Liaison Office in Serbia, over 80 women’s businesses from the two countries, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and representatives of NGOs.

On this occasion, Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of sharing experiences and encouraging economic cooperation between the two countries. “We, as institutions, have to work together with the Chambers of Commerce, the business community, forums such as this today, for a better life of our citizens, as two countries the future of which is in the European Union”, said Zogaj-Gashi.

She also informed the attendees on the reforms undertaken by the Government of Kosovo to facilitate the business environment, achievements and challenges, stating that the entry into force of the Stabilization and Association Agreement has created a new momentum, a political and economic stability.

According to her, local manufacturing and service companies will now have the opportunity to export their ‘Made in Kosovo’ products in European Union market without any barrier, with a market of over 508 million consumers. This agenda also envisages intensified regional cooperation, free movement of goods, services, labor and capital.

The Economic Deputy Minister spoke of the fiscal reform, the law for a fund to guarantee loans to businesses, construction and regulation of the physical infrastructure of economic zones, improvement and rehabilitation of the railway line 10, construction of the Kosova e Re Power Plant, which is expected to be launched next year, with an investment of over one billion euros.

“Today, as a result of cooperation between women entrepreneurs, the Forum of women entrepreneurs from Kosovo and Serbia is operational, with over 250 business women part of this structure, serving as a contribution to the normalization of relations between the two countries, especially in the business environment. We have to encourage Chambers of Commerce to strengthen the Forum and promote its work, helping them to communicate with their respective communities of women in business and information dissemination for specific business and trade agreements concluded in the framework of dialogue facilitated by the EU”, concluded Deputy Zogaj-Gashi.

This forum is a continuation of activities to help the process of normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, as a precondition for Euro-Atlantic integration of both countries.

The forum is organized by Democracy for Development (D4D), TransConflict funded by the British Embassy in Belgrade.