This publication contains a Report / synthesis of the research outcome within the project entitled "Economic Activities and the Democratic Development of Kosova", completed during the period of June 1997 to September 1998. This project has been carried out by the Institute for Development Research - RIINVEST from Prishtina in cooperation with the Center of International Private Enterprise - CIPE, Washington D.C. and to some certain models with the Fund for an open Society, Prishtina branch, Friedrich Ebert - Stiftung, Bonn, and British Know How Fund.
The research results in the framework of the project had been presented in 5 conferences and seminars, and will be published in the following publications:
A special Report on Polling of 300 Private companies was issued at the first quarter of the project life. A sample covered about 3% of private companies with continuous activity. The questionnaire (118 questions) covered main problems about institutional environment, development potentials, organization and management. The systematization of statistical data and documentation faced obstacles because of difficulties in completing relevant series and trends after the Statistical Institution of Kosova and its publications had been suspended. In interpreting of statistical data one should have in consideration the methodological difference i.e. social product, statistical system of former Yugoslavia GDP means without foreign trade transactions.
The analyses of international experiences were realized during study visits and through attending international conferences and meetings within the framework of project objectives. The project team considered relevant bibliography, which provided different experiences of the developed countries, that of the states in transition, and different publications representing the project and meetings results regarding these problems.
Project recommendations contain proposals for building up new institutional infrastructure for an open market economy, development strategy and policy of SME- supportive for entrepreneurship development, business education and the role of international factor. Recommendations are addressed to all relevant factors involved in the solution of Kosova issue.
The content of this Report is organized in chapters as follows:
I. Recommendations
1. Introduction
2. Kosova and its Environment
3. The Current Economic and Social Situation
4. The Private economy
5. The System of the Open Market Economy and Transition in Kosova
6. The Development Strategy
7. Business Education Program
8. Integration Processes and the International Factor
Muhamet Mustafa, Project Leader
Muhamet Sadiku, Project Coordinator
Naim Hoxha, Project Coordinator
Selman Selmanaj
Nexhmi Rexha
Nail Reshidi
Halim Gjergjizi
Haki Shatri
Sejdi Osmani
Ymer Havolli
Project was fully (entirely) supported by:
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE ENTERPRISE - C I P E, WASHINGTON D.C.
Some project modules were supported by:
Foundation for An Open Society - Branch Office Prishtina
Friedrich Ebert –Stiftung - Bon - Branch Office Belgrade
British Know How Fund – London - British Embassy Belgrade
Abdullah Karjagdiu, Faculty of Philology, Prishtinė; Adil Fetahu ,Lawyer; Afrim Dushi, Faculty of Technology; Afrim Maloku - Entrepreneur; Asllan Pushka, Faculty of Sciences, Besnik Fetahu, Economist Tetovė; Blerim Reka, publicist Rilindja; Ekrem Beqiri, Faculty of Technology; Enver Kutllovci, Faculty of Economy; Fadil Govori - Enterpreneur, Faton Osmani Rilindja; Fatos Hamza - Entrepreneur; Fehmi Azemi - Entrepreneur; Gani Bajrami - Entrepreneur; Gazmend Luboteni, Faculty of Economy; Genc Bashota, Faculty of Economy; Ibrahim Kuka, Faculty of Economy; Ilir Rodiqi, Faculty of Construction Engineering; Islam Berisha CST; Islam Zeka - Entrepreneur; Ismail Sadiku Association of Businessman of Kosova; Marjana Merkac, GEA College – Ljubljana; Mehdi Hetemi, Faculty of Low; Naip Zeka,Feronickel Prishtina: Nait Vrenezi Faculty of Philosophy; Nazmi Mustafa, Faculty of Economy; Rado Bohinc ( President Slovene Institute for Management-Ljubljana); Ramiz Livoreka, Faculty of Economy; Rexhep Luci - Entrepreneur; Riza Smakaj, Faculty of Economy; Sabahudin Komoni, Faculty of Economy; Safet Merovci, Faculty of Economy; Shefqet Cana, Economic Bank – Prishtina; Shyqyri Kelmendi, Faculty of Metallurgy; Sinan Ademaj, Faculty of Economy; Skender Berisha, Faculty of Economy Prishtinal; Skender Shala - Entrepreneur; Sylejman Gashi, Economic Bank – Prishtina.
The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this publication are sole responsibility of Project Team and should not be attributed to the organizations/ institutions that had granted this project nor to its consultants.
Copyright: Riinvest –1998 ,
Rr. V.Bashkim 161, 38000 Prishtina; Telefax: ++ 381 38 35718
E-mail : migjenh@EUnet.Yu
Translated into English by:
Avni Spahiu, Gani Bajrami, Luan Gashi
Proof-reading:
Avni Spahiu
Cover Page :
Naim Hoxha
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The project team would like to thank the Center for International Private Enterprise –CIPE, Washington D.C. for the support and assistance in realizing of project activities, the CIPE Board and NED (National Endowment for Democracy) Board. For a sincere cooperation during realizing of project activities we would like to thank CIPE staff: John Sullivan, Howard Wallack, Eric Johnson, Jeniffer Choinniere, and especially Andrew Wilson.
For supporting of respective modules within the project our acknowledgment also go belong to:
Fund for An Open Society - Sonja Licht , Anton Berisha, Isuf Berisha ,
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung- Rudolph Pintar, Marc Meinardus, Jelena Volic,
British Know How Fund - David Slinn, Merry Popovic.
Special thanks for assistance and atention are addressed to the US Embassy, Belgrade; Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Belgrade; British Embassy Belgrade, and United States Information Service - American Center , Prishtina.
For useful suggestions we thank very much : professor Rado Bohinc, from Slovene Institute for Management, Ljubljana, professor Harold Welsch- De Poul University- Chicago, Tomasz Maroczkowsky, Ph.D. American University – Washington, William J.Dennis – NFIB Education Foundation, Washington, Richard Hirchler – World Bank, pofessor Ger Jonkergouw - Creating Solutions, GA Valkenburg, the Netherlands, Mery S. McElroy , Learning Programs Manager – Kaufman Foundation, Kansas City.
For encouraging our project activities we thank also : Professor Abdullah Karjagdiu, Ing. Naip Zeka, Mr. Veton Surroi.
We would also thank: