Zeka: Kosovo fails to attract investment, agreement has to be reached with Serbia

Although the volume of foreign direct investments in the country has marked growth, money is being thrown into sectors that do not create sustainable jobs like that of real estate.

Zeka says that the American Oda of Kosovo has consistently called on the Kosovo government and Serbia to take seriously the fulfillment of all obligations, which they have received over the years through the signing of numerous agreements for normalisation of relations.

During an interview with Voice of America, Mr. Zeka speaks about the Kosovo government's plans for establishing what will be known as the Sovereign Fund, through which it is intended to be taken in ownership, strategic assets of the country, such as the metallural complex of Trepca, telecom and Kosovo Energy Corporation. But Mr. Zeka says this is not the right form to turn these companies into lucrative.

According to him, the solution would be to privatise these public enterprises as the only form for their revitability.

“in terms of perception or in terms of how foreign investors view it, primarily those Americans, or even other foreign investors, in terms of lack of a final agreement with Serbia, I believe there is no need to comment too much. For years, Kosovo really fails in terms of attracting investments not only from serious corporations, but also corporations in general, and American corporations. We just don't seem to be on the map at all when it comes to attracting investments. For the sake of truth, the volume of foreign direct investments in the country has marked growth. But if the facility is analysed where these investments occur, we see them in the real estate sector and the builder. Then we can easily conclude that it is about investing diaspora members in the real estate sector. Consequently, we don't talk about creating stable jobs. However, Kosovo needs to attract investments in sectors which create long-term jobs and influence sustainable economic development. Consequently, in the absence of a policy leading to regional economic co-operation, the creation of a common trade space in the Western Balkans region, in this respect political problems between Kosovo and Serbia, of course make the full functioning of a regional economy, or regional economic co-operation impossible. The American Oda constantly calls on the Kosovo government and the government of Serbia to take seriously the fulfillment of all obligations, which they have received over the years through the signing of numerous agreements for normalising reports”, Zeka has declared.