Message from the Executive Director
Dear Members and Partners,
April has been an important and energising month for KDWV, marked by tangible progress, strong partnerships, and a clear sense of direction for what lies ahead.
We proudly marked 14 years of KDWV, a milestone that reflects the trust, commitment, and collaboration we have built together over time. We celebrated this moment during our Business After Hours, bringing together our members and friends in an atmosphere that once again showed the real strength of our network: people, relationships, and open dialogue.
I was particularly pleased to see KDWV recognised by the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. This recognition is not only a reflection of our cooperation but also of the role our members play in shaping a stronger, more resilient private sector in Kosovo.
This month, we also took an important step forward by launching the Save-the-Date outreach for the German Kosovar Economic Forum (28–29 October 2026). Our ambition is clear: to position this Forum as the key platform connecting Kosovo with German and international investors, and to translate dialogue into concrete business opportunities.
At the same time, we are preparing for our engagement at FutureIndustryMinds, where we aim to actively position Kosovo companies within European value chains, and we have formalised our cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), opening new pathways in areas such as workforce development, mobility, and private sector cooperation.
Beyond these milestones, what matters most is the consistent work behind the scenes, engaging with you, understanding your needs, and ensuring that KDWV remains a platform that delivers real value.
Looking ahead, our focus remains unchanged: to promote your interests, create opportunities, and strengthen the bridge between Kosovo and Germany with measurable impact.
I look forward to continuing this journey together and to welcoming you at the German Kosovar Economic Forum on 28–29 October.
Thank you for your continued trust and collaboration.
This Month at KDWV – Key Highlights
Constructive Dialogue for a Better Business Climate in Kosovo
On 21 April, at the meeting of the National Council for Economy and Investment, important issues for the business community and investment development were discussed, including access to public property and the recognition of losses in the agriculture and food industry sectors.
KDWV welcomes this platform as an important mechanism for institutional dialogue and remains committed to contributing actively and constructively to this process, in close cooperation with relevant institutions and partners.
KDWV celebrates its 14th anniversary.
On 22 April, KDWV marked the 14th anniversary of the German-Kosovar Business Association during a special Business After Hours gathering.
This milestone evening brought together members, partners, and friends of the Association to celebrate 14 years of commitment, cooperation, and continuous efforts to strengthen economic relations between Kosovo and Germany.
The event served as an opportunity to reflect on KDWV’s journey, its growing network, and its role as a trusted platform for dialogue, partnership, and business development.
A special highlight of the evening was the address by Deputy Ambassador Mr. Christian Böttcher, who recognized KDWV’s contribution and emphasized the importance of active member engagement in building stronger cooperation.
KDWV extends its sincere appreciation to Kalo & Associates—Kosovo and CEO Sh.P.K. for their valuable support in making this anniversary gathering possible.
KDWV Receives Recognition from the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund
On 24 April, KDWV had the pleasure of participating in the 10th anniversary of the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund.
This anniversary marked an important decade of support for small and medium-sized enterprises in Kosovo through credit guarantee instruments and continuous cooperation with institutional and financial partners.
On this occasion, KDWV was honored with recognition from the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund in appreciation of our cooperation and contribution to supporting the development of the private sector in Kosovo.
KDWV highly values this recognition and remains committed to continuing our cooperation in initiatives that strengthen access to finance, increase opportunities for businesses, and contribute to Kosovo’s economic development.
Congratulations to the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund on 10 years of work, impact, and dedication!
KDWV Participates in the 4th Steering Committee Meeting
On 27 April, KDWV participated in the 4th Steering Committee meeting of the Administrative Burden Reduction Project, co-funded by the EU and Germany and implemented by GIZ Kosovo.
The meeting highlighted key results achieved from March 2025 to March 2026, including 18 digital projects, the piloting and nationwide scaling of the “Baby is Born” service, 90% usage of digital services, 447 simplified services, and over 1,000 civil servants trained.
Save the Date | 28–29 October
The German-Kosovar Business Association is organizing the 3rd German-Kosovar Economic Forum, bringing together businesses, institutions, and partner organizations from Kosovo and Germany to explore new cooperation opportunities and strengthen economic ties.
KDWV’S MEMBER VISIT
KDWV Meets with Lidl Kosovo to Discuss Future Cooperation
On 7 April, KDWV held a positive and future-oriented meeting with Lidl Kosovo and its Managing Director, Mr. Gzim Syla, to discuss opportunities for further engagement in Kosovo’s growing market.
The discussion also focused on the potential role of Lidl in the German-Kosovar Economic Forum 2026, as a company that can contribute to dialogue, experience-sharing, and the creation of new partnerships between Germany and Kosovo.
The meeting was also enriched by the presence of RPHS Law Firm, a KDWV member, whose previous cooperation with Lidl brought valuable perspective and continuity to the discussion.
KDWV remains committed to connecting strong international investors with Kosovo’s local business ecosystem and turning platforms such as the Forum into concrete partnerships and long-term impact.
Visit to SPEEEX – Tech Enabled Business & Exportable Services
As part of KDWV’s ongoing engagement with leading companies in Kosovo’s digital services sector, Germany’s Deputy Ambassador to Kosovo, Mr. Christian Böttcher, visited SPEEEX in Prishtina, a Premium Member of KDWV.
The visit highlighted SPEEEX’s role as an important provider of technology-enabled business services, supporting international clients through multilingual teams and advanced digital platforms.
During the meeting, SPEEEX shared insights into its international expansion, including EBRD financing of up to €13 million supporting the acquisition of four Swiss companies.
The discussion also emphasized Kosovo’s growing potential as a nearshoring destination for multilingual services, especially for companies serving the German-speaking market.
KDWV Meets with Instabuilt to Explore Cooperation in Sustainable Construction
On 4 April, KDWV had the pleasure of meeting with Instabuilt, one of Kosovo’s leading companies in prefabricated and modular construction.
The discussion highlighted Instabuilt’s growing international presence, including projects in Germany and the United States, as well as its focus on innovation, sustainability, and cooperation with academia through its Innovation Center.
Special attention was given to the company’s commitment to environmentally friendly construction, alignment with EU standards, and interest in renewable energy investments.
KDWV and Instabuilt also discussed opportunities for closer cooperation, including connections with German partners and participation in the German-Kosovar Economic Forum 2026, taking place on 28–29 October.
This exchange reflects strong potential for cooperation in sustainable construction and green development between Kosovo and Germany.
Articles
How Kosovo’s Businesses Can Turn CBAM Into Opportunity
When I walk into a factory on the outskirts of Prishtina or sit across from a founder who plans scaling into Europe, the conversation begins with ambition: a new order, a growing client, the next shipment that will change everything. Then the talk drifts to uncertainty, new rules, extra paperwork, the fear that a distant policy could close a door they’ve worked years to open. One of these uncertainties to come now has a name: CBAM.
CBAM can sound like a wall. But listen to buyers in Europe and to the emerging preparations on green trade in Kosovo, and a different story appears. CBAM is a signal that transparency matters; buyers increasingly prefer partners who can show verifiable energy and emissions data. For Kosovo’s exporters, that signal is not a threat, but rather an invitation to lead.
What the market is already asking for
As global markets transition toward low-carbon production and trade, the ability of exporters to demonstrate renewable energy use through verifiable certification systems has become a defining feature of competitiveness.” The Balkan Green Foundation study’s central insight captures the moment: Guarantees of Origin (GO) and clear energy disclosure are not just compliance tools. They are instruments of market access and value creation. Kosovo’s recent legal progress is already part of the story: Kosovo’s new Law on Renewable Energy Sources (2024) provides a solid legal foundation for GOs, and pilot registry work shows the country can move from law to practice if institutions and businesses act in step.
What I hear from business leaders is not panic but pragmatism. They ask a simple question: what do we do first? The answer is rarely dramatic. It begins with small, practical steps that build credibility: measure what you can measure; make energy and emissions data part of the conversation with buyers; use existing documentation to tell a clearer story about your product. Buyers do not expect perfection overnight; they expect transparency and a willingness to improve.
Human gains and practical wins
There is a human side to this transition that numbers alone do not capture. A textile workshop that starts tracking energy use often discovers simple efficiencies that cut costs. A metal parts supplier that maps its supply chain finds opportunities to negotiate better terms with a sub-supplier. A food processor that documents sourcing gains trust with a buyer who needs verified data for their own reporting. These are not abstract wins; they are competitive advantages that translate into contracts and long-term partnerships.
Momentum is building locally: institutions are mapping roles for an issuing body, the system operator and the regulator; pilot registries and interoperability work are underway; and sector associations can aggregate demand and lower costs for SMEs. For companies that want to move faster, partnerships make the difference, with public bodies, chambers, and trusted consultancies providing templates, verifiers and training. The firms that treat CBAM-related work as a business investment, as a way to open doors in Europe, will gain the most.
Visar Berisha
Partner, Kantar Kosovo | Certified ESG Analyst
Beyond the €81 Million Energy Agreement
In Pristina, on March 28, 2026, the Ministry of Finance and the German Development Bank (KfW) have “signed” a paradigmatic shift for the country’s economy. If the history of our economic development until now has been written through gray colors, agreements like this open the ways for a future with more colors. A financial package of 81 million euros promises to function as a catalyst for the development of reforms in the energy sector and the green transition, following EU standards.
Its effects on the business environment are significant and include the reduction of energy costs, the possibility of PPA contracting at a favorable price, and opportunities for investment in RES through the new pro-investment regulatory framework (solar, BESS).
The Minister of Finance, Mr. Hekuran Murati, emphasized that this support will contribute to the modernization of the legal framework and the increase of electricity flexibility. The German Ambassador Rainer Rudolph also participated in the agreement signing ceremony.
Events like these are not just financial transactions, because the dependence on coal is not only a technical dependence but also a mental one. By allocating 80 million euros in concessional loans and a 1 million euro grant for renewable energy, Kosovo is being given hopeful signals for the transition from an economy of survival to an economy of responsibility—a return to the idea of functioning that does not consume the future to feed the present.
Although the primary focus is the green transition, the impact of this agreement will extend as a positive wave to other sectors of the economy. We can understand this investment as raw material from the EU that waits to be materialized through our work, and a call for engineers and entrepreneurs to be participants in the construction of a new reality.
Kosovo Included in PECI List with Two Transmission Network Projects
The Energy Community Secretariat has launched a shortlist of eight selected Projects of Energy Community Interest(PECI) concerning the transmission network.
Kosovo benefits directly from two of these projects. The first one involves the construction of a new 400kV interconnection between Prizren and Tetova. This link is considered key for the regional integration of energy from renewable sources.
The second project aims to reconfigure the 400kV network and build a new interconnection with Albania, by constructing a line between Fierze and Prizren, that will alleviate existing overloads on the 220kV network.
This second project is considered essential for integrating over 1GW planned capacity of wind energy in Northeast Albania, as well as for increasing regional energy trade.
These projects are expected to have a positive impact on the energy transition by improving region connectivity, enhancing security of supply, and enabling greater integration of renewal energy.
Invitation
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List of fairs
July 2026
- PCIM EUROPE 2026
Nürnberg| 09-11 June
Power Electronics
https://pcim.mesago.com/nuernberg/de.html - THE SMARTER EUROPE
München| 23-25 June
Power Electronics
Renewable Electronics
https://www.thesmartere.de/home - EUROBIKE 2026
Frankfurt | 24-27 June
Bicycles and Ecomobility
https://eurobike.com/frankfurt/en.html
Prishtina, April 2026
