Prishtina, 19.05.2025 – The Secretariat of the National Council for Economy and Investments organised the Forum entitled; “Liberalisation of the electricity market: effects and mitigating measures”, with participants being the Caretaker Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, the Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi, the Caretaker Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli; the Caretaker Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, manufacturers, representatives of businesses, representatives of the Chambers of Commerce, and representatives of the National Council for Economy and Investments.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister assured that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo will stand by domestic manufacturers to hear their main concerns and their needs for support regarding the market-liberalisation process.

“Our common goal is clear: to ensure a manageable and fair transition towards a free market where no one is left behind and where competition and investments drive development. As Government, we will always stand by our manufacturers and will make sure that this process is also accompanied by concrete supporting measures, so that domestic manufacturers are not left unprotected and can continue their growth, development and ever-greater penetration into foreign markets through export of our products”, stated Prime Minister Kurti.

He mentioned the concrete steps undertaken to overcome this challenge, including: designing grant schemes for energy efficiency and renewable sources to reduce electricity consumption, with tangible support that will increase upon the budget review; opening public calls through KIESA (Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency) for subsidising Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises for the purchase of manufacturing and processing machinery, with a planned budget of EUR 5 million, as well as support for conducting energy audits, so as to reduce consumption and electricity costs.

Among other things, Prime Minister Kurti also highlighted additional forms of support during the four years of governance, such as the increase of free capital, new markets, modern infrastructure, a qualified and motivated workforce, and the alleviation of the administrative burden.

Meanwhile, Minister Rizvanolli stated that the Ministry of Economy is finalising a new support scheme for manufacturing businesses:

“We are currently completing a new support scheme for manufacturing businesses with the support of LuxDev – the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency. Within this scheme we will support: energy efficiency through investments in building insulation, photovoltaic (PV) solar systems (for electricity generation), solar-thermal systems (for water heating), batteries for PV solar systems, as well as devices such as reactive-power regulators to increase the efficiency of the equipment that manufacturers already have in use”, she concluded.