Efficient rule of law increases investments in the country and increases transparency in the business community

Prishtinë, August 31, 2018 – Local businesses operations and foreign investments are directly affected by the efficiency on law implementations and courts in Kosovo which reflects the economic development in the country. This was the main conclusion from the annual forum organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo on the rule of law from the private sector perspective.

Arian Zeka, AmCham Executive Director, said that this annual event aims on gathering institutions, business, and organizations representatives in a discussion forum. He said that through this forum, businesses can directly present their inputs to the relevant institutions which, therefore, will get the right recommendations on implementing laws affecting businesses in the country.

Abelard Tahiri, Minister of Justice, said that the commercial justice should be a priority since the private sector development is crucial in economic growth in the country. He informed the participants with the recent developments of the Ministry he leads, including the campaign “Justice in business” which aims on informing the enterprises in Kosovo with the commercial justice and also getting recommendations from their side in improving the law implementation process. Minister Tahiri invited businesses to address issues that affect their businesses such as the constitutional body of the public procurement, adding that a cooperation with relevant institutions will result in economic development and will reduce the corruption level in the country.

Alison Storsve, from Political and Economic Office, US Embassy in Pristina, said that the Embassy aims, amongst others, to create a favorable business climate that boosts economic growth and confidence for foreign investors in Kosovo, adding that the US Embassy hopes that this project will help in increasing investments in the country. Nehat Idrizi, Chair of Kosovo Judicial Council, said that judicial system representatives in Kosovo are committed to work for a proper institutional dialogue and to properly address the businesses interests in getting their recommendations which favor the business environment and result in economic growth in Kosovo.

Miranda Jolicoeur, from Democracy and Governance Office, USAID Kosovo, said that commercial justice and economic growth are interrelated, mentioning USAID activities in this regard to be organized in the following months, adding that they will continue their cooperation with relevant institutions for adequate solutions for the private sector. Whereas Isuf Zejna, from Democracy Plus, presented the data from the surveys this organization conducted related to citizens and businesses private experience with judicial authorities.

Further on, businesses addressed their concerns on the rule of law and also the factors that affect their businesses.