Gerxhaliu: Kosovo risks becoming dependent on social assistance

Former President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce Safet Gerxhaliu called for economic development, support for the private sector and production to become the main priorities of the new institutions, warning that Kosovo risked becoming dependent on social assistance unless it created conditions for investment and sustainable development.

Gerxhaliu stressed that, following the formation of the institutions, Kosovo should seize the opportunity to restore business confidence, attract investment and establish a more unified policy in the service of economic development.

He emphasized that priority should be given to creating favorable conditions for Kosovo businesses and investors from the diaspora, assessing that Kosovo could not rely solely on social assistance.

“First of all, it must be understood that Kosovo and its citizens are not being done any favors if everyone is treated as a social welfare case. Kosovo needs sustainable economic development, and that sustainable economic development should guarantee social stability. People do not live on assistance, but on development, and in that sense I believe the time has come for the priorities to be, first, support for the private sector; second, the manufacturing sector; and third, education reform, particularly dual and vocational education. Above all, genuine dialogue must be established to support the private sector and economic development, rather than allowing Kosovo to become a state dependent on social assistance,” he added.

According to him, one of the main challenges remains restoring confidence in investment and utilizing the financial potential of the diaspora, Gazeta Express reported.

“Equality in poverty is the worst thing that can happen to a country, and Kosovo must avoid that. The confidence that has been lost in investing in Kosovo needs to be restored. We should not expect only foreign investors to come; above all, we must create a favorable environment for domestic businesses. We need special packages for the diaspora, because in the German-speaking region alone, the Kosovo diaspora has billions deposited in banks. These are opportunities that should be utilized and, above all, the negative perception that has been created in recent years in Kosovo and about Kosovo must be avoided, because that negativity is genuinely suffocating the prospects and future of the Republic of Kosovo in every area of life,” Gerxhaliu said.

He assessed that Kosovo had not made sufficient use in recent years of opportunities to obtain funding from the European Union and other donors, warning that this could also have economic consequences in the future.

“What is most important for Kosovo’s future is the political unity that Kosovo has lacked. Second is improving partnerships with international friends, particularly the United States and European countries. The economy must definitely be the priority above all priorities, because in recent years we have experienced an economic debacle. We had certain economic indicators, while at the same time we failed to make use of opportunities to draw funds from the European Union and various donors, and because of that we will genuinely pay an additional price in the future,” he stressed.

Gerxhaliu also called for reforms in education, particularly in the field of dual and vocational education, as well as better dialogue between central and local institutions, the private sector and social partners.

“These are challenges that require genuine dialogue, but the time has definitely come to restore the lost hope that Kosovo can function as a state and have a vision. Partnership and internal dialogue must be placed in a positive focus. In recent years there have been shortcomings in dialogue and public-private partnership, a standstill in dialogue between the central and local levels, as well as in communication among stakeholders and social partners. These are therefore challenges that genuinely must be a priority. Above all, we need depoliticized political and economic diplomacy—diplomacy that serves the state, its citizens and the diaspora, rather than serving to promote the interests of political parties,” he said.

Finally, Gerxhaliu assessed that the formation of new institutions should serve as an opportunity to overcome political divisions and redirect attention toward economic development.

“There is no reason for euphoria, because the damage caused by the absence and dysfunction of institutions over the years has left its mark and will continue to do so in the future. It is time for Kosovo to genuinely harmonize its positions and establish a unified policy, because recent years have been very concerning, marked by divisions that have left their mark not only on political and domestic life, but also socially and on citizens’ motivation. This is therefore a new moment that should be used, and that moment must be directed toward several areas,” Gerxhaliu concluded.