On 3rd November 2016, DMA in partnership with the FCO, the US State Department and the Embassy of Kososvo in London, hosted the UK-Kosovo Trade & Investment Forum 2016: the highest-profile event in London, to date, to focus on strengthening economic relations between Kosovo and the United Kingdom. Led by HE Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, a senior government delegation showcased the many investment opportunities that Kosovo offers to UK and international investors.
Kosovo is the youngest country in Europe, having only declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Alongside increasing international recognition, a Stabilization and Association Agreement was signed with the EU in 2015, and the country’s geographic location at the heart of the Balkans makes it well-placed to access opportunities in the region. Kosovo was one of only four countries across the continent to record positive growth rates during every year of the financial crisis of 2008–12, averaging 3.7 percent, and is on-track to achieve a similar level of growth in 2016.
Through plenary and more targeted sessions, where senior ministers were joined by high-level private sector representatives, the UK-Kosovo Trade & Investment Forum 2016 profiled the major business sectors of the Kosovan economy - Infrastructure, Energy, Financial Services and ICT – providing a unique opportunity for delegates to engage with ministers and senior government officials.
DMA was privileged to host the Government of the Republic of Kosovo for the first UK-Kosovo Trade & Investment Forum in 2009 and for the US-Kosovo Trade & Investment Forum in 2010 - both landmark events for the country
DMA would also like to thank all those who supported the Forum and helped make it such a success.
PROGRAMME
0800-0900: Registration & Refreshments
0900-0920: Welcome
• John Grogan, Former Chair, APPG on Kosovo
• HMA Ruairi O'Connell, British Ambassador to Kosovo
• HE Greg Delawie, US Ambassador to Kosovo
• HE Lirim Greiçevci, Kosovan Ambassador to the UK
0920-0930: Keynote Address
• HE Isa Mustafa, Prime Minister of Kosovo
0930-1100: Session 1 – Economic Outlook & Financial Sector Development
Chair: HMA Ruairi O'Connell, British Ambassador to Kosovo
• 
Hon Avdullah Hoti, Minister of Finance
• Hon Hykmete Bajrami, Minister of Trade & Industry
• Besian Mustafa, General Director, KIESA
• Holger Muent, Regional Head of Western Balkans, EBRD
• Robert Wright, Chief Executive, Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo
Q&A Session
1100-1130: Refreshments Break
1130-1300: Session 2 – Investing in Key Sectors
Chair: Rt Hon The Lord Hain, Former Minister of State for Europe
• Hon Blerand Stavileci, Minister of Economic Development
• Haldun Firat Kokturk, Board Member & CEO, Prishtina International Airport 'Adem Jashari' LIMAK Kosovo
• Chris Jennions, Kosovo Project Director, Bechtel
Q&A Session
1300-1400: Networking Lunch
1400-1530: Session 3 – Investing in Key Sectors
Chair: Sir Henry Bellingham MP, non-Executive Director, DMA
• Hon Memli Krasniqi, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry & Rural Development
• Besian Mustafa, General Director, KIESA
• Ekrem Hajdari, Managing Director, Privatisation Agency of Kosovo
• Uranik Begu, Executive Director, Innovation Centre Kosovo
Q&A Session
1530-1540: Closing Remarks
• Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, DMA
• Hon Hykmete Bajrami, Minister of Trade & Industry
1540-1700: Gala Networking Reception
