Prishtina, 23.12.2016 – No economic development is possible without a sustainable sector that provides drinking, industrial and irrigation water, said the Minister of Economic Development, Blerand Stavileci, during his visit to the water processing factory in villaga Shkabaj, which is under finalization currently.

During this visit of the head of MED to the water factory and pumping stations he was accompanied by officials of the EU office in Prishtina, and members of the Board and Management of RWC Prishtina.
“Aware of the time constraints, we have chosen to come and visit and see ourselves on the works concluded to date and on the following steps towards the realization of this major project. This project is an infrastructural masterpiece, and one of the most important projects in the water sector,” said Stavileci.

Regarding investments in the water and heating sectors, according to Stavileci, this factory will represent one of the main models to follow, similar to Termokos and its co-generation model, whereas the benefitting municipalities include Prishtina, Podujeva, Obiliq, Fushë Kosovë and Graçanica, in addition to the numerous indirect benefits that the project will yield.

Minister Stavileci expressed his gratitude to the European Commission, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg and other donors that have continuously supported the water sector, emphasizing that the Government remains committed to doing more, and that its economic reform agenda envisages additional investment projects in this sector, meant to serve the country’s population in general.

On the other hand, Thomas Gnochi, head of the Policy, Economy and European Integrations Sector of the EU Office in Prishtina said that the project will provide adequate water supply not only for the citizens of Prishtina but also those of the neighboring municipalities, which will enjoy numerous indirect benefits.

“For us it is pleasure to have had the opportunity to contribute to this project with grants amounting to circa 5 million euro, alongside other donors, especially KfW. This is a very significant project, since water supply is essential for the citizens and for a sustainable economic development,” Gnochi said.

Chairman of the Board of RWC Prishtina, Amir Gashi, informed that the factory in Shkabaj has entered its finalization phase, and the conduct of preliminary tests by an international team and work executioners is foreseen for the beginning of next.

RWC Chief Executive Officer Ilir Avdullahu said that works are developing well and that he trusts that drinkable water will reach consumers around March 2017, and that the processing capacity of the company is around 700 liters per second.

Otherwise, the overall value of the project is 30 million euro, of which 20 were loaned to Regional Water Company Prishtina by KfW, and the European Commission contributed with a 5 million euro grant, while the Government of Kosovo and Municipality of Prishtina also funded 5 million euro each.