France expresses interest in investing in Kosovo

Trade and Industry Minister Andrew Shala has hosted the meeting of France's ambassador to Kosovo, Didier Chambert, where it is discussed deepening co-operation between the two countries.

Shala has introduced MTI priorities, which, according to him, will also be in line with government policies.

I will focus more on what is seen as the greatest worries of Kosovo citizens. In consumer protection, market control and increased foreign investment by working hard at improving the” conditions, Shala has said.

Shala has stressed that she has hired all of the MTI staff to meet the criteria that come out of the agreement to stabilise (MSA).

The “what is the key and condition, not only of the ministry I am leading, but of the entire Kosovo government, is in meeting all SAA criteria”.

The minister asked the ambassador for support in increasing Kosovo-French trade exchanges, especially in the area of agriculture, helping local producers.

Kosovo has good products and is worth exporting to France. Exporting Kosovo products means opening new jobs and empowering the economy”.

Shala has also talked about tourism, explaining to the ambassador that the tourism office from the division has been established in the department.

“Concept document on the Tourism Law has passed and we have signed several tourism promotion agreements and we are in talks with different companies and it is a demand of operators especially in Europe to increase our presence and promote Kosovo in your country” Minister Shala has said.

Ambassador Chambert has expressed readiness to assist the Ministry of Trade and Industry in increasing foreign investments, pointing to a huge project expected to start soon in the area of renewable energy.

“One of the main elements is the development and reinforcement of economic relations and increased French investments in Kosovo. A French company has expressed readiness to invest in the renewable energy field. The company has a 120m-euro investment project of a park for wind energy production, which the production power would be 80 megawatts, and the number of employees would range from 150 to 200”, French Ambassador to Kosovo Chambert said.

Shala expressed readiness to support the launch of this project, stressing that I will engage in all capacities for this investor to have the best conditions in Kosovo.