Kosovo Economy and Business

• GDP: US$2 billion (2007).  
• Main imports:  Machinery and transport equipment, raw materials and food.
• Main exports: Energy, metals, machine parts and electric equipment.
• Main trade partners: Balkan countries, EU, Turkey and USA.

Kosovo's economy is one of Europe's least developed. About 40% of the country's workforce is unemployed, with youth unemployment even higher. The new state is dependent on subsidies, grants and investment from the EU and USA. These countries have supported Kosovo's independence bid on the understanding that the government agree to an EU blueprint for economic reform.

In June 2009, Kosovo became a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

Things can go slowly on account of cumbersome bureaucracy but most of Kosovo's entrepreneurs are very keen to forge business links with Western Europe.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0700/0800-1500/1600.

Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (OEK)
Mother Teresa 20, Pristina 10000, Kosovo
Tel: (38) 224 741.
Website: www.kosovo-eicc.org

Economic Initiative for Kosova (ECIKS)
Nussdorfer Strasse 20 / 23, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
Tel: (01) 890 5026.
Website: www.eciks.org/english