Rukiqi: Kurti's dictatorial behavior is driving away investors, Kosovo is the most politically unstable area for investment

Former President of the Chamber of Commerce of Kosovo, Berat Rukiqi, stated that this year would see the lowest economic growth in Kosovo since 1999 because, as he said, the government had not initiated any projects promoting economic development, Ekonomia Online reported.

Rukiqi mentioned that besides not promoting economic growth, the government's actions were endangering private businesses and discouraging foreign investments by causing a political crisis.

He also assessed that citizens were highly dissatisfied with the economic development.

"This is the greatest dissatisfaction so far with the course of economic development and the effects it produces because this government has neither a developmental approach nor an idea of how to achieve sustainable economic development. Moreover, it lacks any instruments to promote economic development in Kosovo," Rukiqi said.

Rukiqi, who is also a member of the Democratic League of Kosovo, emphasized that 2023 would see the lowest economic growth since the 1999 war.

"From what we can see, only one indicator has shown that banking interest rates on deposits are higher than they have ever been in history. This indicates a lack of liquidity, meaning a lack of deposits in banks, and thus the economy does not generate enough money to maintain liquidity," Rukiqi explained.

He added that Kosovo society should address that issue as soon as possible.

"The lack of liquidity, which also means a lack of capital investments, comes from the reduced turnover of companies since we do not even have any security when it comes to private investments. All signs indicate that this year we will experience a decline in exports. I believe the government needs to address this issue urgently as we are entering a very difficult economic phase that will have consequences for future generations," Rukiqi said.

Rukiqi added that members of parliament and government officials were threatening private entrepreneurs, and that, according to him, this language was only seen in countries with dictatorial systems.

"There are no interventions, but there are threats and lynchings. Look at the position of the Self-Determination MPs towards private companies, they call for lynchings, there are calls for the closure of businesses, labeling... This is the language that is only seen in countries with dictatorial systems, and we know how those countries ended up, we know how their economy ended up, how the citizens of those countries ended up, and those who had the opportunity left those regions. If there are no changes here, if this government's dead-end is not stopped, we will have the same consequences," Rukiqi said.

He further expressed concern over the lack of foreign investments, emphasizing their necessity for recovery.

"For a year, the Prime Minister talked about war, then he went to America and called for investments, saying that we are the most democratic country. Meanwhile, he pursued policies that tend to close media outlets. And then crisis after crisis. If you attack local companies, what message does it send to foreign investors? The current picture is that, among all the countries in the world, Kosovo is the most politically unstable area for investment," Rukiqi stressed.