This is the most profitable business in Kosovo

But this apparently did not affect citizens, their desire and initiative to open new businesses, mainly small enterprises, but not even big companies.

This year alone, according to the Agency for Business Recording, the agency, which operates under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has registered more than 4,049 businesses.

Even during this period, trade remains the most attractive activity for businesspeople.

Defrem Krasniqi, system manager at the Agency for Business Recording, in a response to Radio Free Europe, says that out of this figure, 3,988 businesses are registered as small companies, in the category of 1 to 9 workers, high venture 44 businesses numbering up to 49 workers, while only 3 companies are considered large with more than 50 workers.

A small grocery store, earlier this year, has also registered Lumnije Berisha in one of Pristina's neighbourhoods.

She relates that this store is self - employed and that her husband and the reason for the small store registration are because of financial means.

This year I started working at my shop. I sell food items and are supplied on large brands.

The growth and development of the private sector is one of the main elements for comprehensive socio-economic development in one country, say experts on economic issues. According to them, this sector, in addition to impacting overall economic development, lowers poverty rates, also creates opportunities for increased employment rates and improved living standards.

Economics expert Safet Gerjaliu, in a conversation for Radio Free Europe, says the state of small and medium-sized enterprises in Kosovo is very serious.

In this political amulet, Gerjaliu says that despite challenges, the private sector is maintaining stability and social-economic stability in Kosovo.

“in this direction needs to be done more for the economy. And, if done for the economy, the target should be empowering small and medium enterprises. In Kosovo, however, very little is done. The position of the private sector, in particular of small and medium-sized enterprises, is not in the desired” position.

“Brenga the largest for Kosovo institutions is the fact that the overwhelming part of existing and small businesses are those that provide commercial services. And this affects growth of colorability between export and import. Furthermore, Kosovo continues to be exporter of ready money”, Gerjaliu explains.

He considers that it is the last time politics should be in the function of economic development, and not always politics to harm the private sector and economic processes.

If a comparison analysis is made with the countries of the region, Kosovo is in an alarming situation. But I want to believe that policymakers in Kosovo will one day realise that on state interests cannot be the interests of certain groups and political parties. And if you think of the state, then the pillar of state development and sustainability should be economic development based on small- and medium-sized enterprises, above all in education and rule of order and law”, Gerjaliu estimates.

Even the US ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Costet, days ago said that despite the new structure of the future government in Kosovo, it must be committed to acting in order to increase flexibility and competitiveness in the private sector.

Otherwise, more than 183,000 businesses are registered in Kosovo. Of this figure, according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, only 2,800 companies are medium and large, numbering between 10 and 50 workers.