| Basic data | |
| Capital | Pristina |
| Population | 1.80 million |
| Language | Albanian |
| Religion | Muslims 89%, Orthodox Christians 6%, Catholic Christians 3% |
| establishment | parliamentary republic |
| Head of State | Vjosa Osmani |
| Head of government | Albin Kurti |
| Currency name | Euro (EUR) |
| Travel | |
| Time shift | 0 |
| Economy | 2021 |
| Nominal GDP (billion USD) | 8.2 |
| Economic growth (%) | 7.5 |
| Inflation (%) | 3.1 |
| Unemployment (%) | 29 |
As one of countries that start with letter K according to Countryaah, the Republic of Kosovo is a parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president, elected in secret elections by members of parliament for a five-year term. The bearer of executive power is the government, whose president and at the same time a member of the government is approved by the parliament based on the proposal of the president. The unicameral Assembly of Kosovo (Parliament) has 120 deputies elected for a four-year term, who elect the President. Kosovo is one of the poorest countries in Europe. In 2021, GDP per capita amounted to USD 4,990. The unemployment rate is the highest of all European countries, hovering around 30% for a long time. However, actual unemployment is lower due to the significant share of illegal work. A significant contribution to the national income of Kosovo are remittances from members of the diaspora working abroad, which represent approximately 8% of the country’s GDP. Kosovo is also significantly dependent on international support (primarily from the EU) and foreign development aid, which amounts to approximately 9% of GDP. Up until 2019, there was relatively strong economic growth, hovering around 4%. Positive economic results were halted by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, when GDP fell by 5.3%. Measures to protect the population led to economic depression. In 2021, Kosovo’s economy saw a significant resumption of growth, reaching 7.5%. The first economic forecasts for 2022 indicate that GDP will increase by 4.9% in 2022. However, it will depend not only on the development of the pandemic, but above all on whether it will be possible to speed up economic reforms, use significant mineral wealth and make the necessary structural changes, including improving conditions for investors and reducing corruption. Kosovo’s legislation is in principle in line with the directives of the European Union. However, there could be a significant improvement, especially in the area of more consistent use of Kosovo’s regulations and laws. In Kosovo, widespread corruption is a big problem, which also occurs in the state administration and thus also in the judiciary. Another problem is the qualification of prosecutors and judges, who often do not have enough experience. To support the rule of law, the European Union EULEX mission operates in Kosovo, the aim of which is to support the relevant Kosovo institutions on their way to greater efficiency, sustainability, multi-ethnicity and accountability, without political interference and in full compliance with international standards in the field of human rights and proven European progresses. From the point of view of the Czech Republic’s exports, the most promising sectors of the Kosovo economy include, above all, mining, mining and oil industry, energy industry, water and waste management industry, healthcare and pharmaceutical industry and railway and rail transport. The experience of Czech suppliers confirms that the Kosovo market has potential, however, caution and patience are recommended when entering it. The conditions for doing business are gradually improving and more or less correspond to the standards in the region. The vast majority of Kosovo companies are small with not very strong capital background. In the case of export to Kosovo, it is therefore recommended that every business case be secured by payment in advance, or by another suitable payment condition that will guarantee that the goods will be paid for. In the past, doing business in Kosovo was traditionally based on trust and often on honoring verbal contracts. Currently, these practices are changing significantly and are being replaced by a standard legal framework. business environment.
Practical telephone numbers (emergency services, police, firemen, information lines, etc.)
Emergency calls
• First aid 194
• General 112
• Police 192
• Fire brigade 193
Transport information
• buses +383 (0) 38 550 001
• Trains +383 (0) 38 536 355
• Pristina Airport +383 (0) 38 548 900
Postal services
• DHL +383 (0) 38 245 545
• UPS +383 (0) 38 242 222
• FedEx +383 (0) 38 550 870
Source: Kosovo Chamber of Commerce
Important web links and contacts
· Office of the President – www.president-ksgov.net
· Government of Kosovo – www.rks-gov.net
· Ministry of Foreign Affairs – www. mfa-ks.net
· Ministry of Finance – www.mf.rks-gov.net
· Kosovo Statistical Office – Agjencia e Statistikave t Kosovës | (rks-gov.net)
· Customs Administration – www.dogana.rks-gov.net
· Ministry of Economy – www.me.rks-gov.net
· Ministry of Trade and Industry – Ministria e Tregtise dhe Industrisë (rks-gov.net )
· Kosovo Investment Promotion Agency – KIESA (rks-gov.net)
· Central Bank – www.bqk-kos.org
· Kosovo Tax Administration – Ballina – Administrata Tatimore e Kosovës (atk-ks.org)
· Kosovo Chamber of Commerce – Oda Ekonomike e Kosovës (oek-kcc.org)
· Kosovo Privatization Agency – Agjencia Kosovare e Privatizimit (pak-ks.org)
· Kosovo Property Management Agency – KPA Home (kpaonline.org)
· Tourist Information Portal – www.beinkosovo.com
