Bekim Brestovci's plan for 105,000 jobs

Interview:

Mr. Brestovci, as a well-known and successful businessman, what made you return to Kosovo and run into politics?

Although expelled from Kosovo due to persecution by the Serbian regime in 1993, my contribution to the country has been continuous and in various forms. For the past 25 years, after many challenges, unfinished work and after many successes in establishing business in different fields, I decided that I should return with my families to live and contribute to Kosovo. I'm telling the truth, I felt fulfilled with all the goals I've had and the goal was always to go back home where I can contribute through experience and knowledge to the service of Kosovo society. After two and a half decades, the same shoes I left Kosovo have been used to return to Kosovo. So, I've kept my shoes off for 25 years, so I can make it back into a shoe.

Can you tell us briefly what your activity is outside Kosovo?

It's been more than a year since my family and I live in Kosovo. Outside of Kosovo, I have started doing business from 2004 and currently operate with 11 businesses and about 1300 workers, while areas in which businesses are focused are logistics, renovations of objects, industrial management companies, labor service companies, etc. Of course, a significant portion of the employees from companies in question are Albanians living in diaspora, but we co-operate with people of different ethnicities and cultures. Also, on an annual basis, we offer about 100 seasonal work contracts to students from Kosovo.

Did you have an offer from other parties and why you chose? NISMA Social Democrat?

I've been following the very serious offer that I've felt very honored about, but the Social Democrat Initiative for me has been more convincing because of social decommocrat orientation and thanks to the co-operation I've been able to have with the ministries led by representatives of the Initiative. Within the framework of the German-Albanian Business Union, we have been living several projects together with ministers from the Initiative ranks and it has been a trustful co-operation that has resulted in full success.

As a successful figure of the Kosovo diaspora, how do you see the diaspora? Does the Kosovo diaspora have the right space in representation in Kosovo, Mr. Brestovci?

Unfortunately, I consider that the diaspora has not had the attention earned by Kosovo institutions. To change this situation, the Social Democrat Initiative has established an internal department for the diaspora, through which we intend to become the voice of fellow countrymen, regardless of where they live or their political orientation. Treating the diaspora as part of Kosovo, as well as creating space for their direct involvement in policymaking, is particularly useful to our state. Me and NISMA consider that Kosovo's State diaspora should have separate policies, starting with easing conditions for equipping Kosovo documents for those members of the diaspora who are obliged to give up one citizenship. The Republic of Kosovo must recognise and address the needs of the Kosovo diaspora even in other countries where they live. For example, institutionalizing the learning of Albanian language, history, and culture in the countries where our diaspora lies is a time-proportion. But this can only be accomplished through the largest involvement of the diaspora in all policymaking areas and not just through a small budget governmental dictatorship.

With its economic potential, the diaspora may still be the main generator of Kosovo's economic development. Through developmental policies, NISMA aims at connecting the local market to that of the diaspora. This link would turn the diaspora into consumers of professional products and services produced or offered (online) in Kosovo. Our diaspora did a great job in maintaining language, culture, and the relationship to their homeland, and this contribution should be fully recognised and appreciated.

Why should Kosovo citizens vote for Mr. Brestovci?

With my experience, knowledge, courage and enthusiasm, I believe I will contribute to the citizen of Kosovo, towards the delay of policies for a socioeconomic perspective. Increasing social and economic prosperity comes with dignified employment, while the latter is achieved thanks to foreign investment and professional skills. These areas in which I think I'm going to contribute through the use of my connections with diaspora businesses, as well as the preparation of various programs for professional education that I've followed myself to the German state. I have already initiated the creation of an action society with more than a thousand businesses in Kosovo, through which we aim to create a food industry that would create the opportunity to employ 105,000 new jobs in the field of agriculture. The plan is first to start with the agriculture industry and then open opportunities for other industries. My plan also involves education. My goal is to create directions that allow for the opening of numerous jobs. The time has come for Kosovo to prioritize natural science (technology, engineering, mathematics, etc), since our youth in recent years has had a more pronounced orientation in social sciences (juridical, economics, etc) for which jobs are already difficult to find.

By creating new and adequate frameworks for market demand, the private sector will also be empowered, and not all young people will be aiming for employment in the public sector. But on the other hand, it certainly does have to be committed to workers ' rights, providing them with better working conditions.