World Bank allocated 20m euros for Kosovo Digital Economy project

The overall value of the agreement is 20.7m euros, with an annual interest rate of 1.25%, a 5-year period, and a 25-year repayment deadline.

In this case, Minister Bedri Hamza indicated that the project's goal is to develop broadband interconnective infrastructure in undiscovered areas, strengthen human capital and support businesses to introduce Kosovo into the digital economy of the future.

“Create appropriate conditions through the extension of relevant web infrastructure and enable broadband services will improve access to international markets and develop new business models. Thus, opportunities will be created for citizens (with particular focus on young people, women and disabled persons) and businesses to engage regardless of location and flexible schedules, gaining the skills needed to benefit from digitising economic activities”, Hamza added.

He stressed that in addition to accessing labour markets, access to global sources of knowledge through educational institutions will also be allowed to connect the internet and public services of rural areas. According to Minister Hamza, this investment will better position Kosovo to benefit more broadly from digital opportunities and globalisation of the economy.

While World Bank Country Manager for Kosovo Marco Mantovanelli said that the “Project will have broad spectrums of benefits for the people of Kosovo, linking it to information, services and jobs. By developing and strengthening Kosovo's digital infrastructure, this project will deepen Kosovo's ties with the global economy, which is of critical importance for growth and development throughout the country”.

Mantovanelli with this case also stressed that Kosovo is the first in the region to move in this direction, and it is a good signal. This made me twice proud because it is Kosovo that is showing other countries the way in this direction”, he said.

Economic Development Minister Valdrin Luka thanked the World Bank for the continued assistance and co-operation it has given Kosovo in the area of the digital economy.

“Beyond this project Kosovo aims to be one of the first countries in Europe connected through the broadband frequency network. This means that every country in Kosovo will have access to great speed of the internet and will be able through the additional part of the project, which is the development of skills, to build skills in that form to create self-employment by these people who create these keyies”, Minister Luka added.