We recently welcomed a diverse panel of industry leaders to our latest forum to discuss the evolving economic landscape between the UK and Kosovo.
“Kosovo is growing faster than anywhere else in the region.” That was the sentiment that kicked off our recent panel discussion, where we explored the dynamic economic landscape and opportunities to boost the trade between the UK and Kosovo. From financial resilience to a booming creative sector, our expert speakers demonstrated why the Kosovo offers such a compelling proposition for British investors.
Key Highlights
Stability and Growth
Vlorat Gashi, Counsellor at the Kosovan Embassy in London, highlighted the country’s impressive macroeconomic stability, noting that inflation has dropped to just 1% while exports and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) have doubled over the last three years.
A Resilient Economy
Opening the discussion, Anita from Raiffeisen Bank provided a positive macro outlook. She reported that despite global economic slowdowns, her bank is seeing 15% year-on-year growth. For our members looking to invest, she emphasized the agility of the workforce—a young, multilingual talent pool that is eager to upskill and adapt to new challenges.
British Industry Recognition
We were also delighted to receive a video address from David at BAE Systems. He shared details of their new cybersecurity partnership with local firm Arkers Systems. This collaboration serves as a powerful case study, proving that major British defense players are already recognizing and utilizing the high-level technical expertise available in Kosovo.
The “Hidden Gem” of Creative Industries
Moving to the arts, British filmmaker Harvey shared his experience working in Kosovo over the last 14 years. He highlighted the government’s 30% cash rebate on foreign audio-visual investment as a major competitive advantage. Combined with a natural local talent for storytelling, he believes Kosovo is rapidly positioning itself as the leading filmmaking hub in the Balkans.
Innovation in Engineering and Tech
We also challenged traditional views on outsourcing. Dardan from Pace detailed how his UK-based firm utilizes a team in Ferizaj to engineer major UK infrastructure projects, offering high-quality standards alongside economies of scale.
This sentiment was echoed by Rita from Pioneering People, who revealed that Kosovo boasts some of the highest AI literacy rates in Europe. She issued a strong call to the diaspora to evolve from sending remittances to “Angel Investing,” noting that even small investments can be transformative for local startups.
Thank you to all our speakers and guests. For investors looking for energy, talent, and growth, we believe Kosovo is the place to be.
