Business Connection: Kosovo should not miss opportunity to engage in regional natural gas network

Kosovo continues to rely mainly on over-extended power plants and imports until businesses and the economy face continued uncertainty in supply and high costs. At a time when countries in the region are investing in new gas lines and providing access to different energy sources, Kosovo risks staying out of developments that will determine economic competitiveness in the years ahead.

For the business community, the energy issue is no longer just a supply issue, but a matter of survival and competitiveness. We have seen the impact of energy costs on local businesses following the release of hundreds of companies on the free energy market. Some of them are already facing serious operating difficulties, while there are businesses that are seriously considering shifting their factories to neighbouring countries due to the inability to meet current energy costs.

Therefore, access to natural gas would give Kosovo an important alternative to diversification of energy resources, boost supply security and create more favourable conditions for the development of industry and local production. At the same time, investments in this direction would also strengthen Kosovo's strategic partnership with the United States of America.

The Kosovo Business Connection calls on the Government of Kosovo to take concrete steps to integrate the country into the regional natural gas network and work seriously to improve the business climate.

Institutions must bear in mind that businesses are the main pillar of the economy and the biggest contributors to the state budget. If costs continue to increase, competitiveness declines, there is real danger that some of these businesses will no longer operate in Kosovo. Therefore, strategic decisions on energy should not be postponed. They are decisions of the country's economic future, of job preservation and of creating conditions for businesses to invest and grow in Kosovo, not abroad./ Periscope.