Prizren 11 October, 2012 – A debate on the public and private sector, which is part of the “Small Business Days 2012” initiative of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) was held on Thursday in Prizren. Businesses were informed about the novelties and joined the dialogue of the institutional representatives, business associations, and donor organisations on business issues and problems.

Speaking on behalf of the MTI, Xhemajl Syla was sure that this activity will reach its goal, which is raising of the awareness about the importance of the small and medium seize enterprises for the economic development of Kosovo, creation of new jobs, and impact on citizens’ welfare.

Jakob Modeer, a representative of the EU Office, which is the main supporter of the Small Business Days, stated that the European Union will provide a full support through projects, the aim of which is economic development through stimulating competitiveness between companies and through foreign investments, which create jobs and increase the welfare of Kosovo citizens.

Sakip Imer from the Tax Administration presented the novelties in the services for taxpayers, by focusing on the one-stop centres for business registration, electronic reporting of taxes and pensions, as well as legal amendments concerning taxes.

Kosovo Customs were represented by Kujtim Qafleshi, who spoke about the results and challenges of this institution. He particularly highlighted the prevention of the trafficking of medicines, smuggling of narcotics, weapons, and other illegal items. The importers operate easily now by using the new electronic system ASYCUDA.

Speaking as a legal expert for the ‘Development of the Private Sector’ project, Korab Sejdiu stated that the difficulties and problems of businesses are being legally addressed by the business associations. This was moved forward through direct project assistance, which, in cooperation with associations, has identified the crucial problems that are worrying the private sector.

The informative conference in Prizren was organised in cooperation with the Rural Development Agency-South. “Small Business Days 12” conducts the private-public dialogue to strengthen entrepreneurship, which is a precondition for a sustainable development of the private sector, respectively for economic development. The activities will go on until 05 December and will be posted on the official website www.smallbusinessdays.com.

30 January - Private institutions presented on Monday (30 January) in Prishtina, activities on facilitations which target the support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which are the pillars of economic development in Kosovo. Among the most important activities are drafting laws that facilitate business as well as implementation of SMEs development strategy, which is a document approved by the Government in July 2011.

Information conference was organized by the SME Support Agency, Agency from Ministry of Trade and Industry in cooperation with the EU funded project ‘EU SME’, whereby representatives from institutions and donor community participated.

24 January 2012 - The SME Support Agency and the EU SME project staff met in a team building retreat in Prishtina on 20 January 2012.  The Agency used the opportunity to present a number of priorities,which will be strongly supported by the project experts during  2012.

The head of the SME Support Agency, Granit Berisha, was speaking to the Agency and EU SME staff as one team that is dealing with issues concerning the development of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.

“We are facing the first challenge of 2012, when until the end of March we must perform a screening on what the government is doing...

10 August 2011 - Specialized agencies together with central institutions signed on Wednesday (August 10th) a memorandum of understanding to organize Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Week.

Lead by the SME Support Agency, other institutions contributing to this important event for enterprises and entrepreneurship in Kosovo are: Pensions Trust, Tax Administration, Customs, Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo, and the Regional Development Agencies Centre-East-North-South and West.

15 July 2011 - The Kosovo Government has adopted the SME Development Strategy on 13 July. SME Development Strategy is a result of joint efforts between the EUSME project and SME Agency dating back in January, which has involved other stakeholders and close consultation from the business community.

The SME Strategy identifies measures that need to be undertaken to advance reforms that will lead to a dynamic SME Sector and generate new jobs for Kosovo It is a comprehensive strategy aiming to address all challenges that SMEs are facing.

30 June 2011 - The EU SME project and the SME Support Agency met in a two-day seminar in Prevalle/Prevalac end of June to coordinate actions on the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Development Strategy. SME Support Agency officials who have taken the lead in implementation of the seven strategic goals of the Strategy held presentations on the future engagements in respective fileds.

30 March 2011 - In today’s conference, the SME Development Strategy was presented to a wide number of stakeholders from the government, donor community, civil society, business associations and private sector representatives.

Minister of Trade and Industry, Mrs. Mimoza Kusari – Lila pointed out ”the need for proper and correct coordination in drafting and implementing the SME strategy.  The strategy is a lively document and is based on the capacities of the ministry and the government.  This strategy must favor the improvement of performance and effectiveness in enterprises.”

15 February 2011 – EUSME launches the Catalogue of Competences for SME Development

EUSME has published online the Catalogue of Competences for SME Development at www.katalogu.biz.

Catalogue of Competences is an online catalogue that presents information about knowledge that is valuable for companies.  It provides contact information about relevant organizations and institutions in the area of interest of SMEs including their set of competencies.  Competences are organized in the form of any defined, measurable or observable expertise, knowledge, technology, know how, skill, ability or business process that contributes to successful business performance.

28 February 2011 – Stakeholders endorse the proposed Priority Areas of SME Strategy

SME Support Agency has established an SME Strategy Working Group that is in charge of development of an initial draft of the SME Strategy.

Today, the SME Strategy Working Group presented 6 priority areas of the upcoming SME Strategy to a wide group of stakeholders consisting of donors, SME development projects, business associations and government representatives.

3 December 2010 - The European Union funded project 'Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Support through the Ministry of Trade and Industry' has been launched and its aims were presented to key stakeholders involved in the sector.

The project aims to strengthen the capacities of its primary beneficiary, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, whose role is to contribute to the growth of the sector through its policies, strategy and legislation in full consistency with the European Charter for Enterprise.