Kosovo is expected to chair the Presidency of CEFTA, the Central European Free Trade Agreement, by succeeding Serbia. Officials in Kosovo have seen this as a positive step both economically and politically.

When Kosovo joined CEFTA in July 2007, the agreement was signed by UNMIK official on behalf of Kosovo. In 2008 Kosovo ceased using UNMIK symbols after independence, which led to Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina blocking the entry of goods with the symbols of Kosovo.

Officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry say that chairing this Presidency “shows that Kosovo has capacities to manage international and cross-regional projects, beyond its borders.”

In addition, the chairing of Presidency is expected to give Kosovo a better image in Europe and help overcome other technical or political problems.

CEFTA is a free-trade agreement that consists of 8 member states, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo.

The construction of power plant “Kosova e Re” begins this year

The Government of Kosovo announced the construction of power plant “Kosova e Re” last year. This investment is expected to guarantee the supply of electricity in Kosovo, said the Minister of Energy and Mines, after its construction was delayed due to the complexity of the project. When the construction begins next year, the estimated time of completion is from 3 to 5 years. The Minister also expects the construction of the hydroelectric central “Zhuri” to begin as well in 2011. She expects this project to be completed faster, saying that “three consortiums have already expressed their interest and I expect this HC to finalize.”

The Minister also spoke about the rise in price of electricity, justifying it as a measure to raise more capital for further investments. The Executive Director of KEK also agreed, saying, “It’s not the desire of KEK to ask for increases in price, but every business requires extra costs for services.” The Office for the Regulation of Energy will decide whether new price increases are ratified or not.

The stability of electricity in Kosovo is seen as an important infrastructural measure in order to improve the business environment.