U n SA Today: Kosovo, a success story in the Balkans

Report “Kosovo: A Balkan Success Story”, published by One World Media, stresses that Kosovo is drawing more and more investors' attention because of the combination of three key factors: long-term growth potential, competitive costs and adaptable workforce.

He emphasises that Kosovo, with the newest population in Europe, the strategic position in the centre of the Balkans and an increasingly connected workforce of international markets, is drawing attention to sectors such as energy, finance, technology, health and production.

According to the report, for many years Kosovo has been seen mainly through post-war history and reconstruction, while today international perception is changing.

For years, Kosovo existed mainly outside the main conversation about European investments, as international audiences historically viewed the country through post-war recovery lens and not through economic opportunities”, the report said.

Today, the country is being introduced as a market that combines the long-term growth potential, competitiveness costs, and a new and adequate workforce for the modern economy.

Kosovo is under-represented, despite its small but strong economy in the middle of Europe”, has declared Shpend Luza, Executive Director of the Economic Bank.

Kosovo Businesses Toward Foreign Markets

According to the report, businesses in Kosovo are moving from companies created for local needs to companies with regional and international ambitions. A new generation of entrepreneurs are developing businesses in technology, digital services and other areas with global orientation.

He stresses that the size of Kosovo's market should not be seen as restrictions, but as opportunities through regional integration and economic ties. According to Mimoza Kusari-Lila, Minister of Industry, Trade, Trade and Innovation, trade agreements turn Kosovo from a small market into a gateway to larger markets.

“These agreements effectively transform Kosovo from a local market of about 1.5 million people to a gate towards a much larger regional and international base”, it was quoted in the report.

Economic Bank and Financial Development

A special part of the report is dedicated to the Economic Bank as the only fully-owned local bank in Kosovo. For 25 years, the bank has been part of the country's economic development, supporting individuals, small businesses, large companies and diaspora.

According to Shpend Luza, Kosovo's banking sector is built on stability, strong capitalisation and careful regulation.

The “is a well-capitalised, highly regulated sector, and this has created a major basis of confidence for customers and interested parties on the bank market”, he has declared.

Energy, a pillar of Kosovo development

Report USA Today costs an important space to the energy sector, which for years has been one of Kosovo's main challenges. The modernisation of the power grid has brought about major changes. According to the report, KED has invested over $340m in improving energy distribution infrastructure. He has stressed that Kosovo is moving towards a new phase of modernisation.

“reliable energy is one of the most important foundations for economic development. We are moving from investments in infrastructure to technological investments. The goal is to manage the network more efficiently and react faster”, ECDS CEO Alpin Dogan has declared.

Kosovo is also aimed at boosting renewable energy sources, including solar, wind energy and energy storage technologies.

Kosovo talent and technology

The report stresses that Kosovo's power lies not only with competitive costs, but with the talent and skills of the workforce. In the technological and professional services sectors, local companies are increasingly integrated into international markets. Mergim Cahan, founder and CEO of Gjirafa, said:

Kosovo must be viewed as one of Europe's hidden possibilities. ”

Health and New Standards

In final part of the report “Kosovo: A Balkan Siccess Story”, USA Today pays particular attention to the health sector, presenting it as one of the areas with great potential development and investment in Kosovo.

The report stresses that health in Kosovo is entering a new phase, where the focus is no longer solely on expanding access to services and medical products, but on increasing quality, transparency and approach to international standards. According to the report, Kosovo companies are changing access, focusing not only on increasing their activity, but on building systems that meet the requirements of global markets.

One of the main examples of this transformation is Meitech, a company founded in 1999 that has developed into a reliable partner for international pharmaceutical industry companies. The report estimates that Meitech's development is built on the basis of strict standards of quality, continued audits by international partners and respect for global drug safety requirements.

Through its approach to European standards for the Meri Practices of Displacement Barnets (Good Distribution Practice) and the demands of the American Food and Bars Administration (FDA), the company aims to manage pharmaceutical products with standards similar to the more developed markets.

We are not just delivering drugs, we are bringing standards to the health market”, Arian Jakupi, CEO of Meitech, has declared.

According to Jakupi, the role of pharmaceutical companies is not only limited to market supply but also to the creation of a safer and more qualitative system for patients. The report stresses that one of Meditech's top priorities is to expand the access of patients to therapies that are currently not available in Kosovo, through co-operation with internationally recognised companies.

This is not just about doing business; it's about offering services that are necessary for the country”, Jakupi said.

According to him, bringing new therapies to the Kosovo market represents an opportunity to improve patient care and bring health services to European standards. The report estimates that the health sector in Kosovo has considerable potential for expansion, as demand for quality services, modern institutions and new medical technologies continues to increase.

Health spending in Kosovo still remains below the European average, creating space for new investments in infrastructure, specialised services, pharmaceutical products and health technologies. Sector representatives stress that the future challenge is not only increased capacities, but ensuring a higher level of quality and equality in healthcare.

“Patients should get the same level of care, regardless of where” lives, Jakupi stressed.

According to the report, development of the health sector is an important indicator of Kosovo's economic and institutional transformation.

Kosovo with potential for new investments

The report estimates that challenges continue to exist, but development guidance is positive. Kosovo is building an economy based not only on competitive costs, but, in knowledge, innovation, talent and ability to compete in international markets. /Periscope/