kosovoThe British Council in Kosovo, in cooperation with the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), organized a visit of a 15-member business delegation from Kosovo to Greece from 4 to 7 March. The purpose of the visit and goal was to establish communication channels and links with the business community in Greece. The mission arrived on Tuesday noon, March 4th in Thessaloniki where they met with various stakeholders in the business community such as the Greek International Business Association (SEVE), which resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation, and the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI). The mission also met with local government representatives.

On Wednesday morning, the mission travelled to Athens where they were hosted at the offices of ELIAMEP. During their visit at ELIAMEP, the delegation was thoroughly informed about the current crisis in Greece and its repercussions on the Greek society by ELIAMEP’s Crisis Observatory, as well as for policy issues and Greece’s economic and diplomatic presence in the Balkans by representatives of ELIAMEP’s SEE Programme. On Thursday, the mission visited the offices of the FEIR (Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research), where the delagation was briefed on the progress of the Greek economy and forecasts for the future. The mission also visited Piraeus where they initially met with representatives of the business sector in the offices of the Commercial and Industrial Chamber of Piraeus. The meetings resulted in signing yet another  memorandum of cooperation. The mission toured the facilities of the Piraeus Port of Authority (OLP) and the piers which are managed by COSCO. The visit of the mission was completed in the afternoon of the same day when the delagation was hosted by the Association of SA & Ltd companies and the Institute of International Economic Relations in Athens, which brought about another signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation. While in Athens, the delegation also held meetings with representatives of several Greek companies. Finally, it should also be noted that the visit of the delegation received significant coverage by the Greek press.

You can find more information here

Members of the mission:

  1. Safet Gerxhaliu, President of Kosovo Chamber of Commerce. Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (KCC) is a non-profit, independent organization with no political affiliation. KCC’s objective is to promote market economy and entrepreneurship.
  1. Xhevat Isufi, Director General and Owner of Bucaj Corporation. Buçaj Corporation is a leading business in Kosovo in the field of distribution and sale of food products, sanitary ware, beverages and tobacco.
  1. Xhelal Raqoniqi, General Director of Devolli Group. Devolli Group is a leading company in the production of Styrofoam, mattresses and inner springs in Kosovo.
  1. Halil Qela, General Director of Trepca Mines. Trepça Mines is a large industrial complex in Kosovo and has 14700 million tons of lignite reserves used for energy production making Kosovo the fifth country in the world for lignite reserves.
  1. Mimoza Hoxha, KCC’s Chief of Cabinet
  1. Hivzi Dragidella, KCC’s Cordinator Department for Client Services
  1. Mergim Pristhina, Executive Director of Trepharm. Trepharm is the youngest pharmaceutical manufacturer in Balkans.
  1. Butrint Batalli, Quality-Auditor and Valuer at Inova Consulting
  1. Shkumbin Vula, Manager of Jakova-V company in Gjakove
  1. Blerim Devolli, President of Devolli Group. Devolli Group produces, distributes and sell various products throughout Kosovo, Albania and FYROM
  1. Enver Pakashtica, Onwer of Finesa Jewerly
  1. Bekim Kastrati, CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo
  1. Muhamet Ymeri, Executive Director of Galanteria Group. Galanteria Group specializes in producing wooden stairs etc.