Political instability hinders Austrian investments in Kosovo

OEK Mayor Safet Gerjaliu said the poll results once again show that political instability, lack of legal security, and lack of qualified workforce are obstacles to increased direct investment in the country.

The results of this analysis are important because it should be a guide for improving the partnership between the two countries. There can be no development of integration processes without economic development, which is in the function of improving image. All economic steps are falling under the shadow of the political agenda, which has brought instability”, he said.

He said Austria is one of the countries which have consistently backed Kosovo, and showed that this state in the country's economy participates with 250 million direct investments, with over 100 firms with autism capital and 30 representatives.

He ordered that everyone's priority should be economic development so that these figures can improve after, according to him, this state invests billions of euros in the region.

Economic development should be the priority of all of us in order to improve these numbers. Sadly, all economic steps are falling under the shadow of the political agenda, which has brought in instability” said Gerxhaliu.

Peter Haslacher of Austria's Oda Economics said there is still room for increased co-operation between the two countries.

There are many topics that can be done to advance these relationships and therefore we are here to see what we can do to increase Kosovo's exports to Austria and vice versa. But even here, more can be done because Austrian firms have said they want political stability, legal security and qualified and educated workforce. Although there are topics that cannot be resolved immediately, the good news is that they can be spoken of is very important to us”, he said, adding that in a modern economy the qualified workforce is crucial.

Survey findings show that Kosovo's atraktivity for foreign investment is estimated average. According to Austrian businesses, the three most important topics to promote business interest, and where reforms are necessary are: political stability, legal security and qualified workers.

In 2018, 50 percent of Austrian businesses have claimed to expect higher revenues, 50 percent of them claimed to increase investments, and 37 percent say they will increase the workforce.

Austrian businesses expect political stability, legal security and investment protection, infrastructure improvement, and the fight against corruption from the Government of Kosovo. /Periscopi/