Prishtina, May 14, 2018 – Under the organization of the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo, the delegation from the U.S. country, Iowa, consisting legislators, public and private institutions representatives, and from educational institutions, visited Kosovar companies to closely see the work they do and their products, and, in their honor, a reception was organized in the plastic products company KIVO in Kaçanik.
The legislator from Iowa, Zach Nunn, accompanied by the official on international relations of the business association Greater Des Moines Partnership which represents over 8,000 businesses from Iowa, and the AmCham Executive Director, Arian Zeka, met the deputy minister of finance of Kosovo, Fatmir Gashi. During the meeting, deputy minister Gashi, and advisors Lulzim Rafuna and Behxhet Haliti, clarified the benefits for businesses from the latest fiscal reform applied by Kosovo, but also about the investment possibilities in Kosovo. Legislator Nunn was interested on a potential infrastructure where interested US investors could be settled.
Members of the US delegation met also with the Former President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, thanking her for her role in advancing the relations between Iowa Sister States and Kosovo. They got informed in detail about the Foundation established lately by President Jahjaga.
The delegation visited the Business Park in Drenas where they met the General Director of Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency, Besian Mustafa, and also the plastic products company SCAMPA operating in this park. The delegation’s agenda included visits in plastic products company KIVO, Innovation Centre of Kosovo, potatoes production factory VIPA, Birra Peja, Pharmaceutical factory TrePharm, HIB/Emerald corporation, and also the Kosovo Energy Corporation.
Educational institutions from Iowa met also with private colleges representatives in Kosovo, vocational education centers, and also the Hotel, Restaurant, and Cafeteria Association, to discuss the need on presenting vocational training programs in the culinary sector. The delegation also visited the municipality of Shtërpcë where they were informed with the potentials that the touristic center of Brezovica offers, and also potential investments in it.
Kosova and Iowa signed a Partnership agreement with the Sister States in 2013, whereas, besides the military cooperation, the agreement promotes cooperation in other fields such as economy, education, and sports. American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo in partnership with the organization from Iowa, Greater Des Moines Partnership, has led many Kosovar businesses delegations in Iowa aiming in advancing the business cooperation between both countries.