Prishtina, 26.05, 2016 – Green economy and digital economy are two sectors which will transform our economy, therefore the Government, and MED specifically, is addressing with the utmost priority, said the Minister of Economic Development, Blerand Stavileci, in the opening of the 15th edition of the International Fair of Construction, Energy and Technology “EXPOKOS” in Prishtina.

The opening of the fair, which also included the “Green Festival”, was attended by heads of institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, accredited ambassadors in Prishtina, and representatives of international institutions and businesses.

Minister Stavileci said that even in countries with a developed economy, significant investments are focused in the green economy as it best creates the desired balances, namely various international economic, social and environmental agreements.

The Economic Development Minister reiterated the support of his institution for businesses that invest in these areas, which, according to him, promote overall economic development and creation of jobs, citing in particular the investment in increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy resources.

“In the largest project of the Country ‘TPP Kosova e Re’ one of the main points is to address the environmental aspect and I am glad that we have agreed with the US investor that the technology to be used in this TPP will be advanced to super-critical with an efficiency coefficient of 40% “, said Stavileci.

He further said that international partners are working to improve the business climate, to make it easier for investors to realize their investments, and added that green economy is taking a special significance globally.

In addition, the Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, Ferid Agani, said that investments in technology on one hand enables the development potential of the country, and on the other hand protects the environment, reducing the need for the use of natural resources, through conservation of energy in buildings and with generation technology of various economic capacities.

The US ambassador, Greg Delawie, said that the green economy is an extraordinary investment for the future, as it allows for the renewal of investments in energy, something that will contribute to economic development and for the creation of new jobs.

Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Ivo Šilhavý, expressed the confidence of Czech businessmen to invest in Kosovo highlighting one such example. “I was proud to hear what a Czech businessman said about Kosovo: ‘In Kosovo you do not need a written contract, just a handshake and you can trust this. So I wish you a lot of handshakes in the fair,” said Šilhavý.

Bekim Xhafa, CEO of Congress and Event Organization, which traditionally organizes this fair, said that the Green Festival aims to raise the awareness on the importance of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and the benefits they bring to the market in Kosovo, and it is supported by EMPOWER Private Sector of USAID.