The funding program on innovation and entrepreneurship is necessary on further developing the private sector

Prishtinë, July 30, 2018 – The American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo held its next event with the Minister of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Besim Beqaj, on better informing its members on the Innovation and Entrepreneurship funding program launched recently for small and medium enterprises.

AmCham Executive Director, Arian Zeka, said that this program was necessary previously as well as an incentive of private sector development in Kosovo, mentioning also AmCham Innovation committee’s request on having a more attentive approach to innovation in Kosovo. Whereas, President of AmCham Board of Governors, Ilir Ibrahimi, thanked the minister for their readiness on supporting the area of innovation and welcomed the launching of this program whose results affect directly the economic development.

Minister of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Besim Beqaj, said this funding program aims mainly on developing the private sector, adding that, by creating policies in this area and accelerating the economic growth in the country, the Ministry he leads aims on increasing productivity and potential for local companies in order to have an easier access to regional and global markets. Minister Beqaj informed the attendants that this program aims on funding three levels of businesses in line with Kosovo’s standards, medium, small, businesses in the area of innovation and startups, from 10,000 to 100,000 euros, not only in innovation but all the other sectors as well. Mr. Beqaj said that through this program economic growth will accelerate and new jobs will be generated from it. Minister Beqaj announced that next week the concept paper on the law for innovation which includes startups, angel investors, and incubators, will be published, mentioning also that they are working on drafting the strategy for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Further on, attendants in this roundtable had the chance to present their viewpoints on this program, adding that this initiative from the ministry is important on supporting the private sector.