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Kosovo Press
- November 6, 2026 12:23
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The Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation and the World Bank have signed a cooperation agreement for the development of Eco-Industrial Parks in Kosovo. The project aims to expand local production capacities, attract investments and create new jobs, with a focus on environmental standards.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that the development of industrial parks is one of the mechanisms to address the country's high trade deficit. According to him, during 2025 Kosovo imported goods worth around seven billion euros, while exporting only around one billion euros.
Kurti stressed that the goal is for a portion of the goods currently imported to be produced in Kosovo, creating more favorable conditions for local businesses and foreign investors. He announced that the development of industrial parks will extend to all regions of the country, including two parks in the northern part of Kosovo.
“Zhvillimi i parqeve industriale do të shtrihet në të gjitha rajonet e Kosovës pa përjashtim, përfshirë edhe dy parqe në pjesën veriore të vendit tonë. Pas vendosjes së rendit dhe ligjit në veri të Ibrit, po e zhvendosim gradualisht vëmendjen drejt zhvillimit ekonomik, krijimit të vendeve të punës dhe përmirësimit të jetës së qytetarëve që jetojnë atje”, tha ai.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, said that the agreement marks a new step in cooperation for the implementation of international standards for industrial eco-zones.
She emphasized that the industry of the future should not only be evaluated for the quantity of production, but also for the way it is produced, the efficiency in resource utilization, and the impact on the environment and society.
According to Kusari-Lila, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) report identifies the production of construction components as a sector with particular potential for the Kosovo economy. This sector includes metal processing, the production of doors and windows, furniture, insulation materials and heating systems.
“Kjo marrëveshje shënon një hap të ri të bashkëpunimit për të zgjeruar zbatimin e standardit ndërkombëtar të eko-zonave, duke krijuar modelin e ri të zhvillimit industrial në Kosovë. Industria e të ardhmes nuk matet vetëm me atë se sa prodhohet, por edhe me mënyrën se si prodhohet, sa me efikasitet shfrytëzohen burimet dhe cilat janë ndikimet në mjedis dhe shoqëri... Eko-zonat industriale do të jenë instrument për mobilizimin e investimeve private dhe krijimin e vendeve të punës. Raporti i IFC-së identifikon prodhimin e komponentëve të ndërtimit si një sektor me potencial të veçantë në ekonominë e Kosovës. Ky sektor përfshin prodhimin dhe përpunimin e metaleve, prodhimin e dyerve dhe dritareve, mobilieve, materialeve izoluese dhe sistemeve të ngrohjes”, tha ajo.
The European Union also expressed support for the development of this concept. The Head of EU Cooperation in Kosovo, Hubert Perr, assessed that the importance of industrial parks is related to the opportunity they offer for the development of a more sustainable and competitive economy. According to him, this concept is also being promoted in the European Union.
"The importance of industrial parks is extraordinary. This allows you to really show commitment to a more sustainable and competitive economic future. This is a concept that is also being promoted in the EU," he said.
Meanwhile, the World Bank's Country Manager for Kosovo and North Macedonia, Carole Megevand, said that through eco-industrial parks, it is intended to address some of the barriers that businesses face, especially in the efficient management and use of natural resources.
According to her, the goal is for products produced in Kosovo to gain more space and recognition in international markets, under the "Made in Kosovo" identity.
"Through eco-industrial parks we will uncover or mitigate some of the barriers. I think it is also the efficiency of natural resources, energy, water, waste management and all of these will create a more efficient management of resources. The criteria, above all, of the EU market will be met. They will be a potential not only for import substitution, Prime Minister, but also for increasing exports. Kosovo will be seen as Made in Kosovo", she said.