The emergency package drafted by the government to help companies and workers was seen as an immediate and appropriate response. The main generator of employment and budget revenues is the private sector, so there have been specific requirements from this sector that should be included in the emergency package in order to minimize the damage that can be caused during this period. Otherwise, this is the first emergency package, but it does not end there, as what was emphasized during this discussion is that the government will prepare another package for economic recovery.
During the discussion it was emphasized that without an active and functional private sector we cannot have economic growth and also we cannot provide welfare for the citizens of Kosovo. Therefore, without proper management of aggregate demand, coming out of the crisis can be very slow. For this reason, the participants stressed out that the economic recovery package should have specific targets and be oriented to the sectors where there is the most need.
The bright side of this situation is seen in the greater digitalization of business services as this increases productivity and contributes to the economy. In addition, it was emphasized that conditions on the emergency package have been a good opportunity to contribute on informality reduction in the economy.
Part of the panel in this Salon were: Agim Krasniqi, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Finance and Transfers; Berat Rukiqi, President, Kosovo Chamber of Commerce and Visar Vokrri, Program Director, Riinvest Institute.
The salon was moderated by Nora Latifi-Jashari, Executive Director, GAP Institute while the editorial will be written by Saxhide Mustafa, Deputy Executive Director, Riinvest Institute.
On Tuesday, April 21, 2020, the Salon on the topic: “The state of democracy: Pandemic and economic developments” was held. What are the forecasts for economic growth or decline in general? What are the demands from the private sector? How is the process of allocating funds from the government’s emergency package going? These were just some of the questions that were asked and discussed during this salon.
This Salon was supported by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Prishtina Office.
