AGP Executive Report

Growth Outlook: Albania averaged 4.4% annual growth from 2000 to 2024, but the IMF says it has not fully used its potential to catch up with EU economies, pointing to productivity reforms and deeper European integration. Trade Links: Oman and Kosovo discussed expanding trade and logistics ties, including routes connecting the Gulf, Asia and Africa with the Balkans. Mediterranean Games: Kosovo’s 2030 hosting rights are at risk over an unpaid fee, a missing guarantee and delays, organisers say; they will review the situation in December. Cheaper Transfers: Kosovo’s parliament approved anti-money-laundering law changes needed to advance its bid to join the SEPA euro-payments system, which could lower transfer costs for households and businesses. Jobs: Germany’s employment agency urged the government not to halve the annual quota for Western Balkan workers, warning that companies rely on them to fill skilled-labour gaps. Infrastructure: The Saudi Fund for Development inaugurated an upgraded section of the Pristina–Mitrovica highway.

Trade Links: Oman and Kosovo discussed expanding trade and logistics cooperation, with a focus on connecting Gulf, Asian and African markets with the Balkans. Mediterranean Games: Prishtina’s mayor warned the city could lose the 2030 event over unpaid fees, a missing guarantee and administrative delays; organisers are due to review the situation in December. Cheaper Transfers: Kosovo’s parliament approved anti-money-laundering changes needed to advance its bid to join SEPA, which could make euro transfers with Europe faster and less costly. Kosovo Business Abroad: Golden Eagle, a Kosovo-founded energy drink brand sold in nearly 40 countries, is launching in the Phoenix market, with plans to expand across the US West. Infrastructure: The Saudi Fund for Development inaugurated an upgraded section of the Prishtina–Mitrovica highway, adding to investment in Kosovo’s transport links.

Mediterranean Games at Risk: Prishtina Mayor Përparim Rama says Kosovo could lose the 2030 Games after organisers flagged an unpaid fee, a missing bank guarantee and administrative delays. The committee will review the situation in December. Cheaper Euro Transfers: Parliament approved changes to anti-money-laundering rules, moving Kosovo closer to SEPA membership, which could make euro transfers to and from Europe faster and less costly for people and businesses. Kosovo Brand Expands: Golden Eagle, a Kosovo-born energy drink sold in nearly 40 countries, is launching in Phoenix as part of a planned US expansion. Highway Upgrade: The Saudi Fund for Development inaugurated an upgraded section of the Prishtina–Mitrovica highway, advancing a key transport link. Workers in Germany: Germany’s Federal Employment Agency warned against cutting the Western Balkans’ annual work permit quota, saying it could worsen labour shortages for companies; more than half a million people from the region already work there.

Payments: Kosovo’s parliament approved anti-money-laundering law changes, bringing the country closer to SEPA membership and faster, cheaper euro transfers for households and businesses. 2030 Mediterranean Games: Kosovo risks losing the host role after failing to provide a required bank guarantee and pay an outstanding fee; organisers will review the case in December. Business Expansion: Kosovo-founded Golden Eagle energy drink is entering the US market, starting in Phoenix, with its distributor considering expansion across the western states. Labour Market: Germany’s employment agency urged the government to keep the annual 50,000-worker quota for the Western Balkans, warning cuts could worsen skills shortages; more than half a million people from the region already work in Germany. Regional Growth: Albania’s construction activity rose 36% from 2020 to 2024, far above the EU’s 3.8% growth. Infrastructure: The Saudi Fund for Development inaugurated an upgraded section of Kosovo’s Pristina–Mitrovica highway.

Infrastructure: Kosovo and the Saudi Fund for Development opened an upgraded 9.87-kilometre section of the Pristina–Mitrovica highway. Backed by a $16 million concessional loan co-financed by the OPEC Fund, the project is expected to improve safety and travel times for about 600,000 people and ease access to jobs and markets. US Relations: Washington says talks on closer cooperation with Kosovo, including on energy and the economy, will remain on hold until Pristina meets commitments to the Serb minority; no restart date has been set. Legal Reform: The government is reviving Civil Code changes, with Prime Minister Albin Kurti arguing they would clarify rights around property, inheritance and family relations.

Transport & Trade: Kosovo and the Saudi Fund for Development opened an upgraded 9.87-kilometre section of the Pristina–Mitrovica highway. Backed by a $16 million concessional loan and OPEC Fund co-financing, the project is expected to improve safety and cut travel times for about 600,000 people. US Cooperation: Washington says talks on closer ties, including energy and economic cooperation, remain on hold until Kosovo meets commitments to its Serb minority; no restart date has been set. Regional Investment Climate: Riots in Tirana damaged shops, banks and government buildings as protests widened over a US-linked coastal development project, raising concerns about political risk for businesses in neighboring Albania. Energy & EU Access: Kosovo is among nine states joining a new Energy Community oil coordination group to share supply data and prepare joint responses to shortages. EU proposals could also give candidate countries earlier access to the single market, subject to conditions.

Transport Investment: Kosovo and the Saudi Fund for Development opened an upgraded 9.87-kilometre stretch of the Pristina–Mitrovica highway. Backed by a $16 million concessional loan, the project is expected to improve commercial traffic and road safety for around 600,000 people. US Ties: Washington says closer cooperation talks remain on hold until Kosovo meets commitments to its Serb minority. The talks were intended to cover security, energy and the economy. Regional Expansion: BALFIN Group plans to help Flying Tiger Copenhagen open 87 stores in Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia, building on the partnership’s existing presence in Kosovo and other Balkan markets. Telecom Competition: Kosovo has launched mobile number portability, allowing customers to keep their numbers when switching providers. Energy Security: Kosovo is among nine Energy Community members setting up a regional group to share oil-supply data, spot risks early and coordinate crisis responses.

Transport Investment: Kosovo and the Saudi Fund for Development opened an upgraded 9.87-kilometre section of the Pristina–Mitrovica Highway. Backed by a $16 million concessional loan co-financed with the OPEC Fund, the project is expected to improve safety and cut travel times for about 600,000 people and commercial traffic. Retail Expansion: BALFIN Group and Flying Tiger Copenhagen plan 87 stores in Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia over five years, building on a partnership that includes Kosovo and other Balkan markets. Energy Security: Kosovo will join a new Energy Community oil coordination group, sharing supply and stock data with eight other countries to help spot shortages and coordinate responses to market disruptions. EU Market Access: Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta urged the EU to give Western Balkan businesses greater access to its single market before full membership, so they can benefit from closer economic ties during accession talks.

Infrastructure: Kosovo and the Saudi Fund for Development inaugurated an upgraded 9.87-kilometre section of the Pristina–Mitrovica highway. The project is expected to improve road safety and connectivity for about 600,000 people. Energy Security: Kosovo is among nine countries joining a new regional oil coordination group to share supply data, identify shortages early and coordinate crisis responses amid global price pressures. Business Expansion: BALFIN Group and Flying Tiger Copenhagen plan to open 87 stores in Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia, building on a partnership expected to reach 20 stores across Kosovo and other Western Balkan markets by year-end. EU Market Access: Former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta urged the EU to give Western Balkan businesses earlier access to the single market, so they can benefit from closer economic ties before membership.

Energy Security: The Energy Community is setting up a regional oil coordination group, with Kosovo and eight other members sharing supply data and assessing risks as global prices rise. Retail Expansion: BALFIN Group and Flying Tiger Copenhagen plan 87 stores in Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia over five years, building on a partnership that is expected to reach 20 stores across Kosovo and other Balkan markets by year-end. EU Market Access: Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta says Western Balkan businesses should gain greater access to the EU single market before their countries join, so firms can benefit while membership reforms continue. Telecoms: Kosovo has launched mobile number portability, giving subscribers the option to switch providers while keeping their number.

Energy Security: Kosovo is among nine Energy Community members joining a new regional oil coordination group to share supply data, track emergency stocks and spot shortages amid global market disruption. Retail Expansion: BALFIN Group is taking its Flying Tiger Copenhagen partnership into Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia, with 87 stores planned over five years, building on its existing operations in Kosovo and other Balkan markets. EU Market Access: Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta urged the EU to open its single market further to Western Balkan countries before membership, giving businesses earlier access to closer economic ties. Telecom Competition: Kosovo has launched mobile number portability, allowing customers to keep their numbers when switching providers and potentially sharpening competition among operators.

EU Integration: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Kosovo’s amendments to the law governing the Hague-based Specialist Chambers breach its EU commitments and could hinder its path to membership. Single Market: Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta urged the EU to give Western Balkan businesses earlier access to its market, so they can benefit from closer economic ties before full membership. Telecoms: Kosovo has launched mobile number portability, giving customers the option to switch providers while keeping their numbers. Mining: More than 60 miners were reported trapped underground at Trepča, putting the spotlight on safety at one of Kosovo’s key industrial sites.

EU Market Access: Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta called for Western Balkan businesses to gain earlier access to the EU single market, arguing that closer economic ties should bring benefits before full membership. US Economic Engagement: Visiting the region, Senator Jeanne Shaheen urged Washington to expand market access, remove trade barriers and support businesses and entrepreneurs. Telecoms: Kosovo has launched mobile number portability, a new development for the country’s telecom market.

EU Market Access: Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta urged the EU to open its single market to Western Balkan countries before they join, arguing businesses should benefit from closer ties during the accession process. Political Stability: Kosovo elected Justina Shiroka-Pula president, averting a snap election and ending a prolonged institutional deadlock. Mining: More than 60 miners were reported trapped underground at Trepça, putting the spotlight on safety at one of Kosovo’s key industrial sites. Telecoms: Kosovo launched mobile number portability, allowing customers to switch providers without changing their numbers. Regional Connectivity: Kosovo took part in talks on Corridor VIII, a transport and energy route linking the Adriatic and Black seas, with participants focusing on economic connectivity and infrastructure.

EU Market Access: Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta urged the EU to open its single market to Western Balkan countries before they become members, arguing businesses should feel the benefits of closer ties during accession talks. Telecom Competition: Kosovo launched mobile number portability on October 5, allowing customers to switch providers without changing numbers. The regulator says the service should strengthen competition and improve standards. Regional Connectivity: Kosovo joined Corridor VIII talks in Sofia on transport, energy and economic links between the Adriatic and Black seas. Political Stability: Economist Justina Shiroka-Pula was elected president with 81 votes, averting a snap election and offering a chance to restore stability after a prolonged deadlock.

EU Market Access: Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta called for Western Balkan businesses to gain access to the EU Single Market before membership, arguing early integration would deliver practical benefits and help economies prepare for accession. Telecoms: Kosovo’s number-portability service is now live, allowing customers to switch providers without changing numbers. The regulator says it aims to boost competition and service standards. Regional Trade: A Pristina forum highlighted closer EU market links and regional trade measures, including green lanes, but participants said investment, stronger production and reform delivery are also needed to narrow the gap with the EU. Political Stability: Kosovo’s election of Justina Shiroka-Pula as president averted another snap election, ending a prolonged institutional deadlock and offering a more stable backdrop for economic decisions.