Prishtina, 3 March 2011- The Economic Development Minister, Besim Beqaj,
said that priorities of his Ministry shall be economic structural
reforms and modernization of public enterprises, with the aim of
increasing their efficiency in terms of services provided for the
citizens, sustainable development of the energy sector, and enhancement
and modernization of the Information and Communication Technology in
line with European and international standards.
In the first press conference after being appointed head of the
Ministry, presenting the development platform of the Ministry for
Economic Development and its organizational structure, Minister Beqaj
said that its Ministry is interested to incite Kosovo’s economic
development, as there were many dilemmas as to the actual economic
growth and the main stakeholders of economic development.
Minister Beqaj also said that a recent declining share of the private
sector in economic growth was visible due to the economic crisis, and
that economic growth in the previous year was mainly generated by public
investments, which happens in any country after such a deep economic
crisis.
“However, our goal is to make the private sector the main generator for
economic development and employment, namely the main pillar of economic
growth, employment and all developments in the country”, said Minister
Beqaj, and also stated that this can be achieved by increasing the
competition through a proper economic legislation.
The Minister said that they will proceed with the economic restructuring
process, and continue to introduce the market economy model in the
country, which also implies the privatization of public assets with the
aim of providing better and more efficient services with public money.
Other objectives, according to him, will be the creation of an
attractive business environment for local and foreign investors, with
the aim of alleviating unemployment, and promoting domesting production
through competitive activities abroad, and improving the trading deficit
in the current accounts.
The Ministry shall have five departments;
1. Economic Development Policies’ and Strategies’ Department;
2. Energy and Mining Department;
3. Information and Communication Technology Department;
4. Public Utilities’ Monitoring Department;
5. General Services Department.