New Guide Puts Dragash on the Tourist Map

balkan insight
21 SEP 2011 / 09:55

Dragash in Kosovo is one of the poorest regions in the country, but it also happens to be one of the most beautiful. A new guide will encourage hikers to these underexplored mountains and plant the seeds of a sustainable tourist industry.

Shengjyl Osmani Pristina

Interested in exploring the beauties of Kosovo’s nature and still haven’t visited the Dragash area? Well, look no further: travel blogger and Pristina resident Todd Wassel has turned his incredible hiking experience in this forgotten region into a guide to discover and enjoy the area....more...
read more: balkan insight
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/new-guide-puts-dragash-on-the-tourist-map

Pristina Digging Itself Out of a Pot Hole

balkan insight
21 SEP 2011 / 09:52

After years of neglect, Pristina’s roads are being rejuvenated with 15 million euro of investment – but not everyone is convinced traffic jams or pot holes are a thing of the past.

Liridon Alidemaj Pristina

With 80 roads currently being worked at, at a cost of 15 million euro, and Pristina’s own version of Spaghetti Junction to open soon, motorists in Kosovo’s capital hope that they may soon be spared some of the gridlock and pothole dodging which has dominated driving in recent years....more...
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http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/pristina-digging-itself-out-of-a-pot-hole

Kosovo loan rates highest in the region

se times
20/09/2011

Kosovo's Competition Commission is investigating whether the country's high interest rates stem from some kind of interbank agreement.
By Muhamet Brajshori for Southeast European Times in Pristina -- 20/09/11
Since 1999, nine banks have been operating in Kosovo, offering high loan rates that negatively impact the country's economic development. This prompted the Kosovo Competition Commission (KCC) to investigate whether the banks have a mutual agreement, or cartel, which keeps rates higher....more...
read more: se times
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2011/09/20/feature-03

Kosovo’s Broadcast Regulator Misused Public Funds, Audit Finds

balkan insight
21 JUN 2011 / 10:02

Independent Media Commission failed to account for 1 million euro in European Commission funds, improperly diverted to own payrolls, report says.

Muhamet Harjullahu Pristina
Kosovo’s independent broadcast regulator could not account for how it used 1 million euro in European Commission funding in 2010, according to a new report from country’s chief auditor, which found serious problems with how the agency spent public money....more...
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http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-s-broadcast-regulator-misused-public-funds-audit-finds

Kosovo in fiscal limbo after IMF move

se times
10/06/2011
Analysts see "an enormous and unprecedented threat" to financial stability and prospects for investment.

By Muhamet Brajshori for Southeast European Times in Pristina -- 10/06/11

Kosovo could find itself in a financial hole now that its stand-by agreement (SBA) with the IMF -- worth hundreds of millions of euros in grants and loans -- has been put on ice, analysts tellSETimes.

"A financial crisis is very possible because the government will not have the budget to finance planned projects and the wages," said the executive director of the Balkan Policy Institute, Seb Bytyci. He estimates the country will face a 5% budget deficit this year.....more....

read more: se times
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2011/06/10/feature-05

Kosovars struggle in face of price hikes

se times

09/06/2011

Consumers and sellers alike fear the effect of rising prices on lifestyle and economic development.

By Muhamet Brajshori for Southeast European Times in Pristina – 09/06/11

Inflation is becoming a significant challenge for day-to-day life in Kosovo as prices of some basic commodities have increased almost weekly since January.
Price increases compound an already bleak economic picture, with unemployment at 45% and the region's lowest average monthly salary of 272 euros....more....  


read more: se times
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2011/06/09/feature-04

How Wealthy are Kosovo Politicians Really?

balkan insight
07 Jun 2011 / 14:09
Balkan Insight has uncovered a number of apparent inconsistencies in the declaration of assets of high ranking political leaders.

Majlinda Aliu

Pristina

A study of declaration of assets submitted by Kosovo politicians to different institutions reveals a number of inconsistencies.
In March 2010, officials revealed for the first time the full extent of their wealth to the Anticorruption Agency. Eight months later, those standing for election in November’s nationwide poll were again forced to declare their properties and savings.....more....

read more: balkan insight
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/how-wealthy-are-kosovo-politicians-really

Kosovo’s Image 'Worsened By Loss of IMF Loan'

balkan insight
03 Jun 2011 / 10:49

Economic experts say that Kosovo's government has worsened the country's international image by breaching an IMF agreement.

Petrit Collaku

Pristina

Safet Gerxhaliu, the president of Kosovo’s Economic Chamber, says that the country will face difficulties regaining the trust of the IMF because of its initial missteps.

Gerxhaliu told Balkan Insight that the suspension of the stand-by agreement was the last thing that Kosovo needed during this difficult economic period. ....more...
read more: balkan insight
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-s-image-worsened-further-experts-warn

Questions Raised Over Highway Rerouting in Kosovo

balkan insight
10 May 2011 / 13:46

The legality of a Kosovo Government decision to reroute a 700 million euro highway is being questioned by opposition members and civil society
Besiana Xharra

Pristina
Kosovo Government’s decision last week to reroute the country’s first highway, and largest ever infrastructure project, has been criticised by opposition parties and civil society....more...

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/questions-raised-over-highway-rerouting

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Kosovo Hits Record Bankruptcy Rates

balkan insight

06 Apr 2011 / 10:09 More than 1,300 businesses closed in Kosovo in 2010, the highest figure since records began.

Lavdim Hamidi

Trade leaders have called on the government to improve Kosovo’s business environment after it emerged that 2010 was the country’s worst year for bankruptcy....more...

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http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-hits-record-bankruptcy-rates

Kosovo trade deficit hard to balance

se times

10/03/2011
Experts call on Kosovo to focus on export growth.
By Muhamet Brajshori for Southeast European Times in Pristina – 10/03/11

A growing trade deficit continues to adversely affect Kosovo's frail economy, yet experts say the best remedy -- export growth -- is not yet on the horizon. Achieving it, they say, requires a long-term commitment.
"In other countries in transition, exports were dependent on, and coupled with, investments. Foreign investors are primarily attracted to those areas that involve exports. Therefore, Kosovo should liberalise and increase transparency and legality in potential sectors such as mining, telecommunications and tourism," Kosovo's American Chamber of Commerce head Leke Musa said.
He argues the deficit is a result of Kosovo's inability to compete in this sector, as well as mistakes made. He is skeptical government subsidies can produce results.

read more: se times

http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2011/03/10/feature-02