Kosovo Business Journal the offical newsletter of amchamksv.org Issue 7 // July 2008 // Prishtina, Kosovo
4th of July
Celebration AmCham and Tax Administration award the most regular taxpayers
What Should Kosovo, Its Businesses and the Government do to Promote Tourism? Foundation for Healthy Mothers and Babies founded in Kosovo
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4th of July
Celebration The American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo, out of respect and affection towards the US, organized the annual 4th of July celebrations at the AUK campus. The objective of this event was to enjoy both the festivities of the famous US date and also follow the EURO2008 Final game being projected on a big screen. A delightful barbecue in between these two activities to quash any hunger-related issues was also planned and successfully implemented. The event officially started at 7.30pm Firstly, and just for the record, we did not miss the date; it was 29th of June when the AmCham 4th of July celebrations took place, on purpose. This is mainly due to the fact that most Americans and fellow colleagues who join in with the festivities, on this significant day tend to remain close to their homes. The United States and its exhilarating fireworks on display during this memorable day for the American people, provide a befitting tribute to the most important date on the calendar. Barbecues, eye-catching fireworks, the stars and strips of the red, white, and blue, are just some of the features atypical of this grand celebration. Apart from the dazzling fireworks, we here at AmCham went one step further. The guests at-
tending our modified 4th of July celebrations were presented with the proverbial cherry on top of the cake; a projector screen televising the live EURO2008 Final. After the small talk and the chit-chat among themselves, it was time for the invitation-confirming individuals to stock up with kebab, burgers, and other delicious foods offered by “Walker’s” – AUK’s lovely Cafeteria. Participants comprised of AUK faculty, staff, professors, numerous owners of distinguished companies – AmCham members – governmental officials and various invited NGOs. The much anticipated football game, at least from the males’ facial expressions, was in its commencement phase; a full stomach coupled and an unlimited supply of BirraPeja rendered the feel-good factor contagious all over AUK’s soothing,
bird-chirping campus. After the commotion surrounding the football match, an hour before midnight, it was time to draw a close on this memorable occasion. Satisfied and compliment-giving guests were aplenty. Many of them jokingly requested that every time AmCham organizes an event they should be the first on the invitees list. Joke accepted. While the real 4th of July celebrations in the US reach breathtaking scales, both in terms of people attending the event and the ones behind the scenes that make it all happen, pound-for-pound the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo put on a great show with credit being given where it’s due by our participants. The event officially ended at 11pm.
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AmCham and Tax Administration award the most regular taxpayers The American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo in cooperation with the Tax Administration of Kosovo organized for the third time in a row “The Most Regular Taxpayers Ceremony” during which are rewarded and appreciated the most regular taxpayers of our country’s business community. The aim of this ceremony is to award the regular contributors to the Kosovo’s Consolidated Budget, to raise the consciousness and make the business community aware of their duties about their fiscal obligations toward the country, increase the cooperation between the Tax Administration and Kosovo’s business community, encourage the current tax payers to carry on paying their dues as well as show to the public opinion which are the main source of supply to the Kosovo’s Consolidated Budget. The companies awarded as the most regular taxpayers for the year 2007 are as follows :
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1. Sharr Beteiligungs GmbH 2. “PRONET” ITKIT SH.p.k. 3. “Telefoniku” Sh.p.k. 4. “Renova” Sh.p.k. 5. N.T.”Marketing-Distribution” 6. “Metalkos” Sh.p.k. 7. Instituti”Inkos” SH.A. 8. “Komtel Projekt Engineering” Sh.p.k. 9. N.T. “Interadria” 10. N.T.Sh.”Rimed”
The opening remarks were held by Ms. Mimoza Kusari – Lila, Executive Director of AmCham, who talked about the importance of cooperation between the business community and the governmental institutions such as ATK. She emphasized the role of the businesses in the re-building process of our economy while urging the ATK to work more closely with the business community. The Minister of Trade and Industry Mr. Lutfi Zharku also addressed the audience.
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Kosovo Business Journal Mr. Zharku appriased AmCham for organizing such an event while stating that his ministry will work closely with the business associations in order to address the business concerns in the best manner possible.
The ATK director Naim Fetahu stated that he feels privileged to be among the very best of bests taxpayers while encouring them to keep up with the good work. Representatives from Government and Non-
Government Institutions as well as AmCham member companies were present in this ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, AmCham prepared a coctail in honor of the awarded companies.
What Should Kosovo, Its Businesses and the Government do to Promote Tourism? Take a drive through the Presevo valley and you will notice the EU standard big brown signs pointing to Dečan, Gračanica and the Patriarchate. Once across the Kosovo boundary however there are no signs. Similarly on arrival in Skopje airport there is a free map available at the passport desk and tourist leaflets. Sadly the Kosovo government and the municipalities are falling behind in promoting any tourism in Kosovo. It would not take much budget or much effort and here are some helpful suggestions to improve the environment for tourists in Kosovo. We hope that the powers that be will take these kindly.
Ten small, cheap concrete steps for tourists 1. Establish a network of persons can put up tourists in their home “bed and breakfasts” (cheap accommodation) with details on-line. The homes should pay a very small fee to be “members”, provide their details and keep to certain standards.
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Reason - hotels are sometimes out of the budget of the backpacker tourists that Kosovo could attract, cheaper accommodation is needed for them. 2. Improve road signage for tourist sites such as Mirusha, Isniq, Drini I Bardh source Improve signs within towns for key sites such as Kullas, mosques, churches Reason – At best we currently have black marker pen on a road side. This is not good enough! Lack of signs makes Kosovo seem more unfriendly and scary and frustrates tourists. 3. Provide on-line lists of individual guides within towns who can gain access to churches, mosques and help tourists get around. the tourist site in the long run. Reason – too many places are locked and closed.
6. P rovide English signs and clearly posted timetables at the bus stations, consider an on-line bus timetable Reason – it’s tourist friendly!
4. Fund NGOs to map out walking and mountain bike tours using markers on trees. Encourage and sponsor the creation of walking and biking maps. 7. Kosovo Railways should join the InterPromote and assist the Balkan Peace Park Rail/Eurrail Scheme Project – www.balkanspeacepark.org – between Reason – this will bring more backpackers to Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro. Kosovo. Reason – walking and biking are key tourist growth areas. Compare the major progress in 8. Promote archeological tourism e.g for Montenegro in this area which is mapping out exploring sites such as Hariliaç, Ulpiroutes in Durmitor, Plav and elsewhere. ana, Novo Brdo. 5. Make sure the tourist sites are kept Reason - this is a cost-effective form of arclean and fine people heavily for lit- cheological exploration and brings attention and tering or only issue licences for cafes tourists to Kosovo. and restaurants in the tourist area if they assist with clearing up the rubbish 9. W ork with the festival promoters in UK around the site and have proper parketc to encourage some of the 10,000 Briting and toilet facilities ish who go to Exit festival in Serbia and the 30,000 foreigners who go to Guča to Reason – one of the biggest tourist complaints extend their holiday and include Kosovo is rubbish in the rivers and on the fields and roadon their visit. sides. Badly managed sites (without toilets) ruin the offical newsletter of amchamksv.org
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Kosovo Business Journal 10. B ring in cheap flight companies such as Easyjet and Ryanair to Kosovo Reason – current flight costs to Kosovo are high.. Make Kosovo a feasible long weekend break destination and allow Balkan-hopping (e.g. flights between Pristina and Sarajevo, Pristina and Tivat). Long Term Clean up important sites like Ulpiana, work on restoration of other key sites like Kaçanik mosque, Novo Brdo, Zvecan castle. Improve the Trepca museum. Reduce the €50 car entrance fee for tourists who are only coming for 2-3 days (the revenue would still come from the diaspora who are here for longer) This article was written by Gail Warrander of GW Legal LLC, co-author of the Bradt Travel guide to Kosovo
Foundation for Healthy Mothers and Babies founded in Kosovo
A new Foundation for Healthy Mothers and Babies (FHMB) has been registered and approved by the government of the Republic of Kosovo. The Mission for this nonprofit, non-governmental Foundation will be to improve the health of babies throughout Kosovo by working to develop better health care for pregnant
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women and their infants. To this end, the Foundation will collaborate with the Ministry of Health, regional health centers and hospitals, the University Clinical Center in Kosovo, and other agencies and organizations with similar interests. A small Board of Trustees will govern the organization and a majority of the Trustees will be residents of Kosovo. The need for better care of mothers during pregnancy and their newborn infants is urgent because Kosovo has the highest infant mortality in the Balkans and probably Europe. Eventually, as this high infant mortality rate decreases, a wider spectrum of programs designed to address other health needs of women and children will be considered. We will soon begin a shortterm, fund-raising campaign with a goal of 150,000 euros (US $232, 508) to cover the Foundation’s operating expenses for two years. As soon as 75,000 euros have been raised, an Executive Direc-
this strategy, funds from both public and private donors will be solicited primarily for program development, and a major, fiscal objective will be to minimize administrative overhead so that most (goal 90%) of the money raised can be directed to the care of women and children.
tor will be hired and an office will be established in Prishtina. A small, core staff will be recruited to design, administer, and evaluate health programs.
Meanwhile, for additional information about the Foundation for Healthy Mothers and Babies in Kosovo, contact James C. Strickler, MD, who is a Foundation Trustee and has coordinated primary care and maternal and child health programs in Kosovo for the Dartmouth Medical School (USA) for the past six years. You can reach Dr. Strickler by email<james.strickler@dartmouth.edu>, by phone 603-6530880, or regular mail, Dartmouth Medical School, HB 7250, Hanover, NH, 05055, USA.
When the Foundation becomes operational, the Executive Director, guided by the Trustees, will initiate a long-term, fundraising strategy similar to that Additional information about used by successful, philanthropic the Foundation and this campaign organizations in the USA e.g. the March of Dimes and the Interna- will soon be available on a webtional Rescue Committee. Under site that is now being developed.
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Special thanks to: • American School of Kosova • AGANI Ltd • ANTIKA • Apollonia sh.p.k. • Asia Rahovec • Ati-Kos • Atlantic Capital Partners • AUK • Avers Kosova • Banka Ekonomike • BEJTA Commerce • BONUS • BOGA&ASSOCIATES • British Airways • Buçaj Sh.p.k. • CEO • Coca Cola HBC Kosovo L.L.C • COMPAKT GROUP • CONIN • Deloitte • Devolli Company • Dukagjini Group • ECOTRADE • ELTING • FEKI • Gacaferi • Gllareva • Gorenje Niti Tiki • Grant Thornton • Ilir Kosova • INFORMATIKA Computers sh.p.k • IPKO • JAHA COMPANY • Kosova Steel • Login Systems Kosova sh.p.k • M&Sillosi • McCroft Tobacco Kosovo LLC • MDA • Meridian • Microsoft • N.T.P. YESSPHARMA • New Kosovo Energy LLC • NewCo Ferronikeli Complex LLC • NewCo Llamkos Steel LLC • NLB Prishtina • Pestova • PharmaSwiss SA, Sh.p.k • Procredit Bank • PRONET • Propharm Helvetica • Proterm • Raiffeisen Bank • RIALKO Company • RIMA Eng. • Royal Iliria University • RWE Power Kosovo LLC • Scan Color & Jysk • Sharr Beteiligungs GmbH • SIGAL • Smart Investment Group • Triangle General Contractors Inc • UBT • Unio Commerce - Silcapor • Washington Group International • Western Union • Xella GZG Lipjan L.L.C • Shridev Sharma • Zero Pozitive Publicis
American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo Gustav Majer STR. No 6 Prishtina, Kosovo, 10,000 Phone: 038 246012 Fax: 038 248012 e-mail: newsletter@amchamksv.org www.amchamksv.org Executive Director: Mimoza Kusari – Lila Coordinator: Mentor Mehmeti Prepared by: AmCham Kosovo staff Design: ASHA Graphics for comments and suggestions, please write us at: kbj@amchamksv.org