Note
from the Executive Director
T
he American Chamber of Commerce marked 2009 with numerous activities in providing service, advocating and promoting business interests. Throughout this year, our members had the opportunity to develop business ties with their counterparts in Macedonia, Slovenia and other countries in the region through B2B events; in our traditional Best Taxpayer Ceremony we promoted social and corporate values of our members; we advocated in regards to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), as well as opened the doors of opportunities to many professionals in the Traditional Career Fair. Also in this year we became a fully accredited member of the European Council of American Chambers of Commerce (ECACC) operating from Brussels. With this acceptance Kosovo became part of an association represented in thirty-nine European countries, with forty American Chamber members. ECACC represents 17,000 European and American companies employing more than 2 million people. I would like to express my gratitude to devoted AmCham staff and also to our members that volunteered their time for improving the business climate for the benefit of everyone that does business in Kosovo. It should not go without mentioning that all these activities and the work done we owe to my predecessor Mimoza Kusari- Lila, whose leadership and energy has brought a new dimension in the area of business representation. We strongly believe that we will have a strong advocate of the business community in her new professional endeavors. I would also like to use this opportunity to once again express my gratitude for the warm welcome
at AmCham. It is an honor and privilege for me to be in this position. My first and foremost duty as the Executive Director of AmCham will be to continue and hold the prestige that AmCham has enjoyed since its inception. This prestige we owe primarily to the select businesses in our membership. These are businesses and professionals who have served and continue to serve as role models for the business community in Kosovo. The promotion of stronger trade relations between the United States and Kosovo is at the cornerstone of our activities. The plan ahead is to introduce a number of new services for our members, such as direct individual advocacy and promotional events, and introduction of customer relationship management (CRM) to manage and nurture interactions with members. I look forward to work closely with each and every one of you in trying to make Kosovo a better place for investments. Different reports and studies lately did not compare Kosovo very well in the field of carrying out of business activities. AmCham remains highly committed to work closely with all our members and partners to promote the regulatory environment which is conducive to the operation of business. A good way of improving the economic development of Kosovo is to work together and speak in one voice in order to strengthen the private sector. AmCham staff and I are here to assist you in any way possible in order to help you run your business smoothly and clear any barriers that you may encounter Let me thank you again for a wonderful cooperation in 2009 and I wish you a prosperous Joyful Happy New Year!
Sincerely, LekĂŤ Musa
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04 Greetings from the United States Ambassador This is traditionally the season when we pause to look back at what we’ve accomplished over the past year and look ahead, in hope, to the future. In this spirit, I would like to take...
05 AmCham announces new additions to its membership On November 3rd, 2009, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) inaugurated the opening of its new office in Kosovo. PwC Kosovo has employed five full-time professional staff who ...
08 AmCham in the news -Kosovo dailies published a press release about the appointment of the new Executive Director of AmCham. Following an interview with Mr. Lekë Musa, Radio Free Europe widely...
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09 Welcome reception in honor of the new Executive Director On December 8, 2009 the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo hosted a welcome reception in honor of its new Executive Director (ED), Mr. Lekë Musa. In a short address ...
10 AmCham members receive philanthropy awards AmCham proudly announces that two of its member companies, Data Project ElectronicsMs. Linda Shala and Sharr Beteiligungs GmbH , were selected as the recipients of the ...
11 Amendments to the Business Organizations Law As a support agent for the development of the business community in Kosovo, AmCham is regularly invited to represent the business community in working groups which call for the ...
12 Non Alcoholic Beverages excise tax reduction Recently, AmCham was invited to participate in a Working Group convened by the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Consultative Council. The aim of the working group was to...
13 Competitiveness Committee advocates for a better business environment
Members of the AmCham Competitiveness Committee gathered on December 3, 2009 to discuss the recent World Bank Report on Doing Business in Kosovo 2010. According ....
13 AmCham delivers gifts to hospitalized children
On behalf of the AmCham membership, the Executive Director, Mr. Musa participated in a very modest event of giving New Year’s gifts to the patients of the Oncology Depart...
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Greetings from the US Ambassador
T
his is traditionally the season when we pause to look back at what we’ve accomplished over the past year and look ahead, in hope, to the future. In this spirit, I would like to take a moment to share some thoughts with you,
the AmCham community. It is indeed a pleasure to be back in Kosovo, almost ten years after I last served here as Chief of the U.S. mission, and to see all the changes that have taken place. I am impressed with the progress that has been made in recon-
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struction, institution building, and economic development. I know that this progress would not have been possible without important contributions from people like you, the leaders of the business community in Kosovo. Kosovo is about to celebrate its second anniversary as an independent country. I believe that the rapid progress Kosovo has made on many fronts in this short time is the best possible testimony to the wisdom of declaring independence and has more than justified our support of you. Be proud of what you have accomplished, and continue these important endeavors. I am convinced that AmCham programming and networking events will play an important role in the future economic development successes of Kosovo and I hope that over the coming year we can work together to make the Chamber into a powerful voice for market-oriented economic reform in Kosovo. As we look forward to that future, I am confident that the AmCham under Leke Musa’s able leadership will continue to grow and develop, maintaining its existing programs, while adding new ideas and members, all in the interest of greater cooperation between U.S. and Kosovo businesses. On behalf of everyone at the U.S. Embassy in Pristina, I wish you a happy holiday season and a successful New Year!
”U.S. Ambassador Christopher Dell speaking at the 65th Anniversary of the National and University Library, November 25, 2009”
AmCham
announces new additions
to its membership Hotel Prishtina PATRON MEMBER Located in the heart of Prishtina, Hotel Prishtina is one of the most visited hotels in our city. The hotel has more than 25 employees. Ninety percent of their clientele are international visitors who are here either on business or in leisure. Hotel Prishtina has hosted guests such as Javier Solana, President Sali Berisha of Albania, and the rapper 50 Cent. PricewaterhouseCoopers Kosovo CORPORATE MEMBER
*connectedthinking
On November 3rd, 2009, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) inaugurated the opening of its new office in Kosovo. PwC Kosovo has employed five full-time professional staff who drawing on the resources from other PwC offices in Southern Eastern Europe Cluster and beyond, will be providing Assurance, Tax and Advisory services to companies operating in Kosovo. Belle Air CORPORATE MEMBER Belle Air is an airline based in Tirana, Albania. This airline operates flights in a number of cities in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Its Kosovo representative office was opened in April, 2008. May 17th, 2008 marked the first flight Tirana - Prishtina and vice versa for Belle Air. In this geographical location Belle Air chose Tirana as the appropriate hub, with the intentions to create links with Pristina, relying mostly on the ethnic traffic. IPKO Telecommunications CORPORATE MEMBER Established in 1999, IPKO Telecommunications L.L.C. has grown from being the first Kosova-wide Internet provider to becoming a modern enterprise offering full range of integrated services as well as content, in mobile communications, fixed telephony, digital cable television, Internet services as well as media. IPKO is the leading internet provider both in terms of number of costumers and network reach. The company is also the leader in digital cable TV services and has the largest landline-fix network in Kosova with 230.000 ports available. IPKO has 14 official sales stores all over the country, technical and customer care support available 24x7x365.
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BU& Partners MEDIUM BUSINESS MEMBER
Capital Ring SMALL BUSINESS MEMBER
BU & Partners is an accounting and business consulting firm in Kosovo providing audit and assurance, taxation, internal audit and other management advisory services. Their team consists of experienced professionals, including tax experts, licensed and senior auditors, and a team of supporting professionals with business administration, accounting and finance degrees.
Capital Ring is a real estate and management company. The distinctive features of this company are the introduction of professional standards derived from the most highly developed countries, the adoption of an integrated business model, the investment In architectural quality, sustainability and Economic value. Established in 2007 in Kosovo, Capital Ring operates in two braches in Prishtina.
Society of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAKK) Albad NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION MEM- SMALL BUSINESS MEMBER BER
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Established in 1993 Albad is a production busiSCAAK is a professional accountancy and au- ness operating in the town of Prizren. Albad proditing body whose mission is to serve the public duces and packages powdered and grain interest through the provision of quali¬fied pro- products. Its products are widely present in the fessionals who provide the highest international local market. In its production program, this standards of expertise, and integrity. company offers a variety of over sixty products. SCAAK is Member of International Federation of Accountants - IFAC and member of The Feder- Arbër Sherifi ation of Mediterranean Accountants – FCM. INDIVIDUAL MEMBER Arbër is one of the founders, shareholders and Emerson Moore Drilling Ltd former board members of the New Bank of SMALL BUSINESS MEMBER Kosova, Roaming Kosova L.L.C., and shareholder of the International Association for Insurance Claims. In addition, Arbër is the general representative of Samsung cellular phones in Kosovo. In 1998 Arbër obtained a degree in Economics from the University of Tirana in AlbaEmerson Moore Drilling is an independent UK nia. Currently, Arbër is working in the developbased company providing drilling services to the ment of projects in the field of insurance and mining, mineral exploration, civil engineering and green energy. geothermal industries. The Kosovo branch of this company has been operational since 2006.
Kosova Motors J.S.C. MEDIUM BUSINESS MEMBER
Semitronix Construction SMALL BUSINESS MEMBER
Kosova Motors J.S.C. is a shareholding company established in Kosovo a year ago. The company is the general importer and distributor of one of the biggest automobile manufacturers in the world, the Ford Motor Company. The company is the Kosovo authorized dealer for Ford, Landrover, and Nissan automobiles. Apart from sales it also provides maintenance and repair services. In 2010 and 2011 Kosovo Motors plans an expansion of sales and the servicing network, activity promotion, and the employment of 30 to 40 additional staff. Shareholders of Kosovo Motors are local and international partners.
Semitronix Construction is a real estate investment, advisory and project management company that provides expertise and services in conceptualization, evaluation, management, planning and development, design, construction, operation and maintenance in region of Kosova. The mission of Semitronix Construction is to provide unique and significant real estate development services, creating wealth and return to business partners. Its vision is to lead the construction industry in real estate opportunity across a broad spectrum of activity from the initial concept to final project.
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AmCham in the news Kosovo dailies published a press release about the appointment of the new Executive Director of AmCham. Following an interview with Mr. LekÍ Musa, Radio Free Europe widely quoted the AmCham report on the Impact of Corruption on Kosovo’s Business Community, conducted and published in 2008.
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In November, AmCham Executive Director was invited to the morning show in the Radio Television of Kosova (RTK), the public broadcaster. Through participation in the morning show, Mr. Musa presented his plans in the first year as ED On December 10, the Executive Director of AmCham held an informal meeting with journalists of daily newspapers, news agencies, and local broadcasters who cover the Kosovo economy. The aim of the meeting was to establish contact and create good relations with the media.
Welcome reception in honor of the new Executive Director
O
n December 8, 2009 the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo hosted a welcome reception in honor of its new Executive Director (ED), Mr. LekĂŤ Musa. In a short address to the guests Mr. Musa promised the AmCham membership and its partners that one of his foremost duties as the new ED of AmCham Kosovo will be to continue and hold up to the prestige that AmCham has enjoyed since its inception. Mr. Musa also added that one of the best ways to improve the economic development of Kosovo is for AmCham and businesses to work together in strengthening the private sector.
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Among other guests, present at this reception was his Excellency, the United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Christopher Dell. Apart from holding a speech, Ambassador Dell also used the reception as a chance to meet with members of the business community and hear their successes and possible concerns. The presence of Ambassador Dell at the reception was a sign of the US Embassy commitment in supporting the business community and the general economic growth in Kosovo.
AmCham members receive philanthropy awards
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mCham proudly announces that two of its member companies, Data Project ElectronicsMs. Linda Shala and Sharr Beteiligungs GmbH , were selected as the recipients of the social philanthropy award. The delivery of the FIDES award for social philanthropy has been introduced to our community for the first time this year as an initiative of the Forum for Civic Initiatives (FIC). This years’ FIDES award was granted to the companies that systematically supported activities and projects of commons interest through corporate philanthropy.
Corporate Philanthropy is the effort from the side of the businesses to increase the well-being of the community, through the provision of charitable aid or donations. source: nexen incorporated
This award was given to three businesses nationwide, two of which are members of AmCham. The FIDES award for the national level was given to Data Project Electronics –Ms. Linda Shala. The aim of this award was to express gratitude to Linda Shala’s company for its systematic and careful support for activities and projects of common interest. Sharr Beteiligungs received the FIDES award for contribution to the local community. Through this award Sharr Beteiligungs was recognized for its effort in addressing concerns of the local community and the development of marginalized local groups.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a commitment to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as the local community at large. source: nexen incorporated
Congratulations to Data Project Electronics- Ms. Linda Shala and Sharr Beteiligungs!
Amendments to Business Organizations Law
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s a support agent for the development of the business community in Kosovo, AmCham is regularly invited to represent the business community in working groups which call for the amendment of different laws and regulations under review.
The World Bank Doing Business Report 2010 is the seventh in a series of annual reports investigating the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it. source: The World Bank Group
In November AmCham was invited to participate in the working group for the amendment of the Business Organizations Law. Ms. Gail Warrander, a lawyer and one of our members, attended this working group on behalf of AmCham. Ms. Warrander’s presence in this working group was very fruitful as she recommended a number of amendments to the current law, some of which will be included in the new law, which is being recommended for strategic review next year. Ms. Warrander’s amendment proposals were aimed at not making any worse Kosovo’s ranking in the World Bank Doing Business report 2010, which ranks Kosovo 113th out of 183 countries with an affordable business environment! The aim of AmCham through participation in this working group was to specifically address the issues that are most concerning and which down-rank Kosovo in the doing business index. Through its proposals AmCham was successful in proposing to cut back in a number of bureaucratic amendments such as the requirement for authorization and notarization of documents when registering a business and the requirement for translations to be notarized. We also put forward some more suggestions of practical importance but these were deferred for a more extensive review. AmCham brought the issue of the World Bank Doing Business to the attention of the Working Group which was previously unaware of the problems. On behalf of its membership, AmCham would like to thank Ms. Warrander for advocating for a better business environment in Kosovo!
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Non Alcoholic Beverages excise tax reduction
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ecently, AmCham was invited to participate in a Working Group convened by the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Consultative Council. The aim of the working group was to examine the issue of the excise tax charged on Non Alcoholic Beverages (NAB). More specifically the working group examined the impact that the current excise tax has on the domestic producers in Kosovo. The final step was to come up with policy options which would then be presented to the Minister of Trade and Industry for review. The working group noted that the excise tax currently being charged in our country puts domestic businesses at a disadvantage as it is greater than in most of the neighboring and regional countries. It has been noted that immediately after the imposition of the excise tax and as a result of a reduction in demand; a significant drop in turnover by domestic firms was recorded. Even more concerning is the fact that the current regime of the excise tax is even higher than that charged by members countries of the European Union! After detailed discussions by representatives of the business community and representatives of the USAID funded Kosovo Private Enterprise Project (KPEP) on whether a reduction of the excise tax would help the NAB industry and if yes, whether the benefits would be sufficient to justify the reduced revenue, all parties came to a common stand. The working group proposed a reduction of the excise tax to one half of its current level, or .022 Euros per liter. Our membership will be dully informed on whether the proposal of the working group will be taken into consideration and forwarded for government approval. The Excise tax reduction working group was attended by AmCham staff and one of the domestic producers and active members of AmCham, the owner of Bonita, Mr. Agim Dushi. As a domestic producer of NABs, Bonita is directly affected by the excise tax. The table below shows Kosovo’s current ranking in the price charged for the NAB excise tax: Country Kosovo Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia Macedonia Serbia Slovenia
Excise Rate Euro per Litre 0.045 0.014 0.05 0.05 0.0 0.0 domestic and 0.04 imported 0.0
Competitiveness Committee advocates for a better business environment
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embers of the AmCham Competitiveness Committee gathered on December 3, 2009 to discuss the recent World Bank Report on Doing Business in Kosovo 2010. According to this report Kosovo has a very poor doing business climate and ranks 113th out of 183 countries with an affordable business environment! Members of this committee will meet again in order to discuss and come out with proposals on overcoming the problems identified in this report. Other topics were discussed in this meeting were the Procurement Law, amendments to the Law on Business Organizations, and the Tax and Economic Reform Proposals of April 2008.
AmCham gives gifts to hospitalized children
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n behalf of the AmCham membership, the Executive Director, Mr. Musa participated in a very modest event of giving New Year’s gifts to the patients of the Oncology Department of Pediatrics in Pristina. The holiday gifts were delivered to the children in a joint effort of the Society of Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAAK), BU& Partners, and AmCham. In addition to presents for children, the three organizations donated DVD Players and entertaining media for the hospitalized children.
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Special thanks to: •AGANI Ltd • ALCATEL LUCENT • Albad • Banka Ekonomike • BelleAir • BU& Partners • Deloitte •Devolli Company • Capital Ring • Konet L.L.C. • Kosovo Resource Company LLC •Marigona Residence • Meridian Corporation •Microsoft • New Kosovo Energy LLC • ProCredit Bank • Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo •Royal Iliria University • SGS Kosovo Ltd • Sole Kosova • "StoneCastleI" Vineyards&Winery •TEB • Unioni Financiar Prishtine • Washington Group International • Atlas Electric • ARKING • ASGETO • BONUS • BEJTA Commerce • British Airways • Buçaj sh.p.k. Booz Allen Hamilton Inc, Kosovo Branch • Kosova Motors J.S.C. CONIN • DELFIN LTD • ELTING • L.T.I EXPIK sh.p.k • FONDI SLLOVENO KOSOVAR I PENSIONEVE • GLLAREVA • Gorenje Niti Tiki • Grant Thornton • Ilir Kosova • IPKO Telecommunications • KMPG Albania - Kosova Branch sh.p.k • MDA • NewCo Aromatik L.L.C. • Pestova • PharmaSwiss SA, sh.p.k • PricewaterhouseCoopers Kosovo Pronet • Rima Eng. • Santefarm sh.p.k. • Scan Color & Jysk • Sigal • Society of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAKK) 3CIS LLC • UBT • UNIPROJECT • Hotel PRISHTINA • American Alliance Language Services • American University in Kosovo • Boga & Associates • COMPAKT GROUP • ECOTRADE • Emerson Moore Drilling Ltd • FEKI • INFORMATIKA Computers sh.p.k • Kalo & Associates Kosove sh.p.k • Kosova Steel • ONIHERBA • Ogilvy Kosova • Propharm Helvetica • Semitronix Construction • Triangle General Contractors Inc • Sport In Arbër Sherifi•Gail Warrander • Linda Shala • Safet Dorambari • Xheladin Zeka• Diamant Rrahmani
14 American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo Gustav Majer St. No 6 Prishtina, Kosovo 10000 Phone: 038 246012 Fax: 038 248 012 e-mail: info@amchamksv.org www.amchamksv.org Prepared by: Zana Haxha Design: ashagraphics.com for comments and suggestions, please write to us at: info@amchamksv.org