Energy and Mines – Kosova has abundant underground resources, with 14,700 million tones of lignite reserves, it has the fifth place in the world. The reserves of this mineral, which are used as the main source of the energy production in Kosovo, are estimated to last for the next 650 years, with the rhythm of current extraction.
The reserves of lignite are also scattered in the basins of Dukagjin and Drenica but the extraction of the mineral is currently limited only in the basin of Kosovo.
Besides lignite, Kosovo is also rich with zinc, steel, gold, cadmium, and bismuth. The culture of extraction of lignite dates way back from the roman age and the modern extraction of minerals in Kosovo began in 1930s with the establishment of Trepca Complex. Presently, Trepça is socially-owned property and it consists of eight mines, none of which is active.
Agriculture and Farming – Kosovo is rich with agricultural land. 53 percent of the total surface is arable land. Currently, the agricultural sector contributes with only 19 percent of total Annual Work Unit (AWU) and 15 percent of export value.
Food processing in Kosovo has been traditionally managed by the socially-owned enterprises, whereas today they are inactive; new private companies have begun operating in this field. Most of these companies are small and are not capable of meeting the largest part of demands in the market.
Investment in these companies, securing of new management techniques could rejuvenate the industry of agro-prosation in Kosovo to the extent where it could be competitive in international markets.
Vineyards – The growth of grape and wine production is an old tradition in Kosovo. During the golden years, only in Rahovec the wine industry had a production capacity of up to 50 million liters per year. In 1989, the export of Rahovec wine reached 40 million liters, which were mainly distributed to the German market.
Construction – In the recent years the construction industry has become one of the most important sectors in the economy of Kosovo. This sector continues to be a great economic potential for Kosovo, taking into account the need for the construction of new settlements and road infrastructure.
For this very reason the Government of Kosovo has decided to link the country with the most important corridors in Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia.
Textile Industry – Textile was the second biggest sector in Kosovo. At the peak of its development, 15 socially-owned enterprises for textile production employed more than 1,000 people and sales reached the amount of up to 35 million euros.
In spite of recent developments in the region that resulted in the destruction of market connections, the analysis indicate that in case these connections are reestablished between 55 and 65 million euros can be acquired from the export. This sector is sufficiently attractive for investors in order for Kosovo once again to produce final clothing products from the textile produced in the region.
Tourism - The touristic potential of Kosovo is closely linked with the geographical position of Kosovo, which is surrounded on all sides by mountains, it is the center of Balkan, and it has potential for winter tourism.
The mountains in the south of Kosovo, the resorts in Brezovica and Sharri’s Mountains are very good and interesting opportunities for the investors. Currently, the Brezovica resort has three hotels, two restaurants and nine ski lifts that are presently socially-owned property.
Besides Brezovica, other mountains used for winter tourism are the Cursed Mountains located to the west of Kosovo. It is considered that this touristic location has potential to receive up to 30,000 touristic visitors. The potential of this region is already being used by small private companies that have built private facilities in Bogaj village.
Procedures and legislature – Kosovo has a complicated legislature framework. Currently, all laws adopted by the Assembly of Kosovo and the directives and regulations issued by UNMIK are effective.
In terms of investments, they are regulated by the Law on Foreign Investment, which defines a foreign investor as a natural person, who is not citizen of Kosovo, and which provides that the foreign investors will not be treated more favorably than national companies.
In order to operate as legitimate business, the foreign and national companies must register to the Business Registration Agency, under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, as one of these business categories:
- Individual Business,
- Common Partnership,
- Limited Partnership,
- Limited Liability Company,
- Joint Stock Company,
- Foreign Company,
- Social Enterprise,
- Public Enterprise,
- Agricultural Cooperative,
- Other companies under the jurisdiction of KTA.
In accordance with the articles of the Law on Foreign Investment, the foreign companies are permitted to engage into any business activity, which are opened to national business, and there are no limits as to the capital of these companies.
The foreign investors can establish their branches same as the national businesses.