Diaspora’s Impact on Kosovo’s Economic Development: Utilized Potential or Not?

25.09.2018

On Tuesday, 25th of September, was held the salon with the topic “Diaspora’s Impact on Kosovo’s Economic Development: Utilized Potential or Not?”, where among others it was discussed about the utilization of diaspora potential in a long-term period; it was proposed to create programmes and projects that would instigate diaspora to make long-term investments; undertake initiatives to export Kosovar produced goods through diaspora-run businesses into the European Union; and the cooperation of diaspora organizations and businesses with the organizations and designated ministries of Kosovo.

Guest speakers to discuss in this salon were Mr. Xhelal Dërguti, Program Coordinator for Migration and Diaspora at GIZ/DIMAK; Mrs. Sytrime Dërvisholli, Chief of the Department for Trade at the Ministry of Trade and Industry; and Mr. Bekim Brestovci, managing director of Albanian-German Business Union. This salon was moderated by Mr. Lirim Krasniqi, board member of IG Alpbach Kosova, and the OP-ED will be written by Mr. Blend Hyseni, researcher at GAP Institute.

Mrs. Dërvisholli stated that the Ministry of Trade and Industry is preparing a strategy for diaspora, on how can we turn remittances into business investments, as well as a strategy to increase the availability of Kosovo products in diaspora and vice-versa. These plans are expected to start implementation in the beginning of 2019. Likewise, it was stated that there will be cooperation with diaspora experts, who voluntarily have expressed readiness to give their contribution through programmes, trainings, innovative ideas and consultations of institutions with the purpose of economic development.

As for the visa liberalization, it was underlined that aside from the negative effects, like the migration of population, it will also have positive effects, like the exchange of knowledge and ideas that would contribute in the empowerment of labor force.

This Salon was supported financially by the German-Kosovar Economic Chamber.

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