PROJECT TITLE:

Increase of competitiveness and export promotion

OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

The overall objective of this Project is to increase economic growth and private sector employment in Kosovo by strengthening the competitiveness of locally operating enterprises and promoting Kosovo's integration into the world economy.

PROJECT PURPOSE:

The purpose of this contract is to support Kosovo companies in improving their performance and overall competitiveness and increase exports of products and services generated in Kosovo, as a means of reducing the trade deficit.

LOCATION:

Kosovo

SECTOR:

Economic Development

BENEFICIARIES:

The Department of Industry at the Ministry of Trade and Industry; the Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency (KIESA); the private sector in Kosovo, service providers, professional associations and business associations

DURATION:

09/May/2016 - 08/October/2018

VALUE:

1,893,000 EUR

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:

International Development Ireland (IDI) Ltd

IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS:

Eurecna S.p.A. (I) and Enterprise Ireland (IE)

PROJECT STRATEGY:

Taking an integrated and holistic approach to supporting the Government of Kosovo to build the key structures necessary for Private Sector Competitiveness in both domestic and international markets, through: Support to the development of the National Industrial Strategy 2016-2021, Pillar 3 "Competitiveness and Enterprise"; Support to the provision of capacity building to targeted industrial sectors, SMEs and Business Support Organisations (BSO) in improving domestic and international competitiveness; Support to capacity building of the MTI and KIESA and other relevant institutions, in the provision of business development services to SMEs across the full range of the business life cycle, for targeted high growth start-ups, and targeted SMEs in domestic and international markets, with special attention to understanding, improving and building value chains to improve and strengthen their performance and increase the number of Kosovar companies in the chain; Support to BSOs, targeted sectors and SMEs in increasing domestic and international competitiveness, through both national and international experts, applying ‘tailored’ business development services, including improved production, quality accreditation and certification, marketing and export strategies, building inter-sector, company and BSO dialogue and use of promotional tools such as an ‘online portal’ to support the dialogue and understanding of business development and export markets; Building the capacity of the Kosovar Business Service Providers (consultants) by ensuring transfer of knowledge from international consultants and specifically targeted and designed training.

RESULTS:

1. Increased local and international market share by Kosovo-made products/services, through improved competitiveness; 2. Increased number of successful start-ups; 3. Increased number of rapid-growth companies; 4. Export enabling environment in Kosovo improved; 5. Increased number of exporting companies, products, quantity and improved quality of value-added Kosovo products; 6. Increased number of locally – and internationally-recognized Kosovo brands.

ACTIVITIES:

Component 1: Improve institutional and regulatory framework for SME policy; Component 2: Improve performance and overall competitiveness of Kosovo companies; Component 3: Export promotion