Prishtina, March 10, 2023 – The American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo hosted an informative session regarding the Export Window of the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund in partnership with USAID Kosovo Compete Activity, in order to inform businesses regarding the opportunities offered to them for financial coverage for their export activities.
The negative trade balance, where only 18 to 20 percent of imports are covered by exports, is one of the main challenges that Kosovo’s economy has been facing for several years. In order to facilitate this issue, the USAID Compete Activity Program in partnership with the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund (KCGF) has established an Export Financing Window. This window offers easier access to higher financing with lower collateral for businesses, offered by the Fund which is working with seven banks, currently signatories of this partnership. This window is exclusively dedicated to exporting companies in all sectors of economic activity, based on specific criteria.
“Kosovo has lacked a special product which is dedicated to the financing of exports, which provides even the small businesses financial coverage, therefore this is a great advantage”, said Artan Xërxa Diversified Finance Expert, USAID Kosovo Compete Activity, during the session.
The panel for this workshop consisted of Nora Arifi, Senior Portfolio Manager, Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund (KCGF), Artan Sadiku, Financial, and Credit Guarantee Expert engaged by USAID Compete Activity, and Artan Xërxa, Diversified Finance Expert, USAID Kosovo Compete Activity, who clarified the criteria, processes, financing details and coverage from the Fund to AmCham members.