Speeches Shim
USAID Kosovo - Private Sector Engagement - YLL BLAKAJ
Private sector is essential to Kosovo’s democratic and economic progress. Innovation, technology, employment, are only few of avenues that drive and sustain outcomes capable of moving Kosovo toward its journey to self-reliance.
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Video Transcript
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<i> How is the private sector shaping Kosovo's future? </i>
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I think the private sector is developing continuously,
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particularly the manufacturing sector
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and food production.
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And of course, we as businesses need to focus on production,
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since production is the pillar of a state's economy.
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I believe new businesses are on the right track,
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in their expansion as producers
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in the Kosovo market as well as in the European market
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where we engage in our activities.
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<i> What is the contribution of the private sector in the development of Kosovo? </i>
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The private sector certainly needs to play the leading role at this point,
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and it is continuing to rise, as we are a young economy,
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so, I believe it is on the right track.
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We need to focus more on the quality of products,
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we need to focus more on expanding capacities,
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as well as on human capital,
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which certainly is crucial for the private sector.
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<i> How are you influencing the development of Kosovo and how is your work contributing to a better Kosovo? </i>
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We as the diaspora but also as businesses
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have, since 2013, organized in many countries
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as business networks,
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whose main focus is cooperation
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with Albanian businesses in Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, and Montenegro.
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We are largely focused on two things...
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Primarily to enable the export of our products in the Diaspora,
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that is, towards Albanian consumers in the Diaspora
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who are numerous
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but to the native population in Europe as well.
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This focus has gained momentum recently,
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Through the online platform "Ekena",
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which is a fairly well organized platform
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by members of the business network.
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With over 350 products that are already present in Austria,
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and which are available through the online platform
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so Albanian consumers can have them shipped within 24 hours.
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Secondly, the focus of the business network is our youth
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who have received good education in their respective countries in the Diaspora,
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and who run our businesses,
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can expand their activities into Kosovo and Albania,
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and have subsidiaries of their businesses over there
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in order for Kosovo and Albania to become productive countries
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and be able to meet their their own needs first and foremost.
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We know that both Albania and Kosovo do a lot of importing,
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but to also have Europe as a target for their exports
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since we are only about 1,000 km away from the European market.
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<i> You have been identified as a change maker, what is your main achievement? </i>
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I believe that our collective or group achievements
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are far more valuable than personal achievements
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that an individual has in their life.
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Therefore, I believe that the establishment of the business network and its spread across Europe,
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is the greatest achievement so far,
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however, the intention is to continue to strengthen the network
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but also individual businesses in Europe, America and Kosovo
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so they can function as one in the large European and world market.
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<i> Are there any messages you would like to give to other private sector representatives or even to the enthusiastic youth? </i>
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To the enthusiastic youth I say, starting from the latter,
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that Kosovo is a place of opportunity, same as Albania,
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they should stay here, be well educated,
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to prepare themselves for the labor market,
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to invest, to meet challenges,
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because the possibilities are there, Europe is here, in both Kosovo and Albania.
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The private sector should be seen as more important,
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as in western economies it is considered the most important and holds a key position,
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not just for work and production,
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but also in contributing to good state policymaking,
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which has an impact on the future of the private sector.
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Last updated: May 06, 2022
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