Prishtina, 22.11.2012 – The Government is committed to improve the quality of living, and the contribution of MED of 500.000 Euro for the new Administration Building of the Regional Water Company “Hidromorava” is modest considering the needs of the region of Gjilan, said Economic Development Minister, Besim Beqaj.

Beqaj made these comments in the inauguration ceremony of the new building of RWC “Hidromorava”, which was also attended by the mayor of Gjilan, Qemal Mustafa, “Hidromorava” CEO Myrvete Hoti, and managers and employees of the company. Beqaj also stated the symbolic of this investment in the verge of marking the 100th anniversary of the Independence of Albania.

The Minister highly appreciated the commitment of the Swiss Agency for Development, SDC, which invested over 8 million Euros in the southeastern Kosovo to improve the quality of water, water supply, and water management, and Gjilan has benefited around 2 million Euros.

Minister Beqaj highlighted Kosovo’s membership in EBRD, and added that this makes Kosovo equal to 66 member countries in the bank, opening way for further public projects.

“The Government sometimes faces difficulties in realizing the great needs it has, therefore I call the private sector and enterprises to draft well-thought projects and presented them to us, because together we will have the chance to benefit from development funds which Kosovo greatly needs”, said Beqaj.

He reiterated that Kosovo is stable in terms of economic development and that the country serves as a model for macro-economic stability. He also stated that the Government is fulfilling its obligations which the private sector cannot address, such as infrastructure, water, waste collection and processing, legal framework, but the private sector will be in the forefront of economic development.

The Mayor of Gjilan, Qemal Mustafa, said that the inauguration of this building is an important act, as it happens in the verge of the 100th anniversary of the Independence of Albania, and the 5th anniversary of the Independence of Kosovo, and marks a progress in the right place. He thanked MED and donors for their support to improve the conditions for this company.

From her part, Myrvete Hoti – CEO of the RWC “Hidromorava” in Gjilan, thanked MED and donors for their assistance in the company thus far, and added that the new building will considerably improve the working conditions in the enterprise.
During his stay in Gjilan, Minister Beqaj visited the food production and processing company “ASK Foods” in Livoç të Poshtëm, and met with its Manager, Erton Namoni, and his coworkers.

Beqaj was informed on the successful business of the company, and he reiterated the Government’s orientation to create an enabling environment for business development.