Corresponding Author: Dafina
Vlahna
E-mail: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
Local economic development refers to the processes by
which local governments, businesses and civil society groups work together to
sustainably increase incomes and improve their lives in a well-defined area (Sachs et al., 2019). Local Economic Development (LED) is a participatory
process in which local people from all sectors work together to stimulate local
commercial activity, realizing a resilient and sustainable economy (Meyer, 2014). This is one way to help create jobs and improve the
quality of life for all, including the poor and marginalized. Local economic
development encourages the public, private and civil sectors of society to
create partnerships and collaboration to find local solutions to shared
economic challenges. The LED process aims to empower local participants
effectively to leverage business ventures, labor, capital and other local
resources to achieve local priorities (e.g. to promote quality jobs, reduce
poverty, increased municipal taxes) (Rodr�guez-Pose &
Wilkie, 2017). Strategy begins with the identification and
practical understanding of local advantage and local supply. Interest groups
representing different political parties have the obligation to participate in
this analysis by asking the questions: To what extent are its weaknesses and
shortcomings; Are there threats; Are there external opportunities; What the
local population wants and needs. Designing the LED strategy and its
implementation requires knowledge of the area, regional economic linkages,
including competitive advantages and cooperation. The success of LED is
achieved by encouraging a business environment where markets can operate
efficiently within the local context (Shipley & Snyder,
2013). Given that economic development at the local level
is important and has an impact on the economic development of the state, it is reasonable
to study this topic more broadly, thus researching the businesses that
influence economic development in the municipality of Prizren, from the past to
the present. Thus, in the content of the paper, I will generally clarify the
businesses that I was able to research more closely with the businesses in
question. Therefore, that the paper will be a contribution to the science of
economics, namely to researchers who deal with research on the economic
development of the local level and beyond of the municipality of Prizren.
METHOD
In the preparation of this
paper, I have used the appropriate scientific methods so that this paper comes
out as meaningful as possible and with genuine literature from the field of
economics. So initially we used the research method, through which we did a
comprehensive research within the topic of this paper. Then we used the
comparative method, specifically we compared the economy in Kosovo with the
economy of other countries, thus presenting the factors that influence the
improvement of the economic situation. Then the historical method in which I
presented in short points the history of economic development in Kosovo. And in
addition to the aforementioned methods, deductive, inductive, and other methods
were also used in the paper, which helped to finalize this paper.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Economic
Development in Kosovo
Kosovo's
economy since 1999 has been mainly driven by international aid (Lemay‐H�bert & Murshed,
2016). The role of the private sector, especially SMEs, has been
relatively weak. Despite this, Kosovo is still in the transition phase where
entrepreneurship and the creation of small businesses are expected to play an
essential role on the way to a modern free market economy and thus also to
economic development and growth. For economic development, it is essential that
the state institutions themselves deal specifically with this issue, thus
forming strategic documents that present an overview of the economy and its
development in future periods. In one of the many strategic documents of the
central institutions, the Ministry of Trade and Industry presents this general
overview of the economy of Kosovo: the main development challenges continue to remain
in Kosovo. The most pressing problem is the high official unemployment and
related poverty, and the relatively low GDP (�1,795 per capita in 2009). The
Government of Kosovo (GK) recognizes the importance of small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) for the Economic Development of Kosovo (Mavraj, 2015). More than 99% of enterprises in Kosovo are SMEs. The Ministry of
Trade and Industry (MTI) through the SME Support Agency (AMNVM) is the
institution responsible for formulating the SME Development Strategy 2012-2016
(SME Strategy). (2012., pp. The
strategy formulation process was initiated in December 2010 and will continue
until October, in two phases. The first phase until June 2011 resulted in the
conclusion of the Strategy for SMEs. In the 2nd phase from June to October 20) The strategy
formulation process was initiated in December 2010, divided into two phases.
The first phase until June 2011 resulted in the conclusion of the Strategy for
SMEs. In the 2nd phase from June to October 2011, the Implementation Plan was
developed and completed. The SME Strategy formulation process has been led by
the SME Strategy Working Group (GPS) formed by the Chief Executive Officer of
the SME Strategy in January 2011 and the SME Strategy Advisory Group. founded
by the Minister of MTI Ms. Technical assistance for the formulation of the
Strategy is being offered to MTI and SMEs through the EU-funded project
"Supporting SMEs through the Ministry of Trade and Industry" (EU
SME). This assistance will continue even in the first year of the implementation
of the Strategy for SMEs. The EUSME project has four main components: 1.
Improving the Business Climate; 2. Establishment of Public-Private Dialogue and
Coordination of Donors; 3. Improving the competitiveness of SMEs in Kosovo; and
4. Public Information Campaign. The support for the preparation of the SME
Strategy is within the framework of component 1. The strategy is based on two
main pillars "The European Act for Small Businesses (ABV) that Kosovo is
committed to implement and the EU Programs for Competitiveness and Innovations
(CIP) that Kosovo aspires to participate in in the near future.
Moreover, the
SME Strategy Working Group has analyzed and taken into consideration the
Government's Vision and Priorities for Economic Development. The SME Strategy
identifies the measures (Strategic Goals, Strategic Goals and Objectives) that
must be undertaken to advance reforms that will lead to a dynamic SME sector
that will create new jobs for Kosovo. The Strategy for SMEs is a sub-sectoral
component of the Strategy for the National Development of Kosovo. The strategy
for SMEs is cross-sectoral and includes a number of Government Agencies which
have responsibility for some parts of its implementation. The successful
implementation of the SME Strategy will help alleviate many constraints to
economic growth, increase the activity of the private sector, increase internal
and external investments and thus be a major contributor to the creation of
work.
In 2010, the
official unemployment rate reached 47% in rural areas and is even higher (Avdullahi et al., 2022). Approximately 30,000 young people enter the labor market every
year. These development problems are recognized in many of Kosovo's strategic
development documents and there is an increasing focus on the private sector as
a generator for additional economic growth to create more opportunities for
sustainable employment. In this regard, effective policies for the development
of the private sector will play a very important role in facilitating economic
growth, led by exports and investments�. According to KAS, the general rate of
unemployment in Kosovo in 2016 was 28%, while among young people it was
estimated up to 50% (Mustafa-Topxhiu et al., 2017). The percentage of young people who are not employed, who are not
attending school or any training program was 28%. So, of these 50% of the
unemployed, 28% of them are not doing anything. And according to the department
for work and employment in the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, in 2019,
within the 12-month period, there was a vacancy for about 60 unemployed
registered in the employment offices. According to statistics, every month more
than 316 unemployed had to compete for a job.
The
current economic situation in Kosovo and in the region
During these
eleven years, the economy is characterized by a minimal economic growth
insufficient for the country. Any economic growth below the 6 percent quota for
our country, which has had many unemployed people, has not been growth, but in
fact retrogression. In the absence of jobs, a very large number of citizens
reaching the quota of approximately 30 percent of the population have moved to
the West, it should also be noted that there have been very slow reforms of tax
policies and often by the presenting institutions. the problems of employers,
especially in the manufacturing and processing sector, have not been taken
seriously. So problems are treated as individual problems. In fact, the entire
economy has gone through problems of the same nature. One of the indicators of
the delay in economic development was the problem with electricity. One of the
main problems that has slowed down economic development has been the constant
lack of electricity and the silence of the institutions towards this
phenomenon, which has led to the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs in the
country", thus also mentioning the regression in investment conditions of
foreigners. Even though our institutions have presented Kosovo in the public
opinion as a paradise for investments, foreign direct investments have
decreased from year to year. The biggest misfortune is that there is still no
institutional readiness to support production. The real tax policies are
announced only in cosmetic form, which are offered only to medium-sized and
large firms, while small firms, which are the largest employers in the country,
have not been given any room in the exemption of raw materials from taxes.
mentality continues, the country faces great economic uncertainty, which can
bring social instability manifested by protests, thefts and unpleasant
phenomena of a criminal nature.�(https://www.epokaere.com/ekonomia-e-kosoves-gjate-njembedhjete-vjeteve-te-shtetesise/).
According to
the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the real average growth of the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) in Kosovo for the years 2006-2009 was 4.8%. Evidence shows that
the government's decision in 2008 to increase the level of public investment by
over 120% has been the main driver of economic growth. Also, this shift in
resources allocated to public investment proved to be a stimulus for the
economy in 2009 and kept the opportunities for generating growth above 4% at a
time when most countries in the region are facing economic decline. Due to the
relatively low level of integration of Kosovo in the global economy and weak
fiscal policies, its economy has been significantly protected from the global
economic crisis. The economy grew in 2009 and has continued to grow in 2019.
Most economic growth has been driven by government spending, while the foreign
trade balance has remained high (EC Kosovo Progress Report 2010).
Based on World Bank reports, most recent economic progress has
been based on donor aid and remittances, which cannot be the basis for
sustainable economic strategies.�(The Government of Kosovo since 2005 has
adopted an important number of strategies. Of these strategies) As for the countries
of Southeast Europe, they have gone through an economic crisis similar to the
countries of the eurozone, and this is the result of the high level of economic
integration of this region with the countries of the eurozone (Hassel, 2014). During the crisis years (with the exception of Albania, which
has recorded an economic growth of 3.3%), the economies of all the countries of
South-Eastern Europe have experienced a decline from the highest growth of 5.8%
(Croatia) to the lowest of 0.8% in FYROM. Even the year 2010 did not result in
positive growth in the countries of the region, where Croatia, Romania and
Montenegro continued with negative GDP growth (IMF 2010). Despite economic
growth, the current level of GDP in Kosovo is 4.2 billion euros, which is two
times less than Albania and FYROM and three times less than Bosnia and
Herzegovina (IMF 2010). Poverty remains a problem in Kosovo. Based on UNDP
reports, the unemployment rate in Kosovo is around 43% while 34% of people live
in poverty with less than 1.41 euros per day (Terziu & Lushi, 2021). Eighteen percent live in extreme poverty on less than 94 euro
cents a day. The number of new entrants to the labor market is very high
compared to the countries of the region. It is estimated that the number of
young people entering the labor market each year is such that at least a real economic
growth of 7.0% is required just to begin absorbing these new entrants and
contribute to reducing the existing large number of the unemployed. According
to the EC Progress Report for Kosovo for 2010, despite economic growth, the
economy is not creating enough jobs to absorb new arrivals and reduce pressure
on the labor market (Terziu & Lushi, 2021). Since a large number of new jobs will be created by SMEs,
through the creation of new SMEs and the growth of existing ones, then the
successful implementation of the Strategy for SMEs will be the main contributor
to the Growth Economic in Kosovo. Due to the unfavorable environment for business
and the lack of creative entrepreneurial culture, Kosovo lacks fast-growing
innovative firms, which are the main contributors to job creation in developed
Western economies (Terziu & Lushi, 2021).
2016���������������� ���� 2017�������������������������� 2018�������������������������� 2019
Figure 1. The
current economic situation in Kosovo
In the meantime, exports are
expected to increase gradually, partially offsetting the increase in imports.
However, the suspension of trade preferences by the EU may affect the export
level.�(Departamenti i Makroekonomis�) The forecast of
macroeconomic indicators shows that the economy of Kosovo during the period
2011-2014 is expected to reach an average growth of 6.8%. The positive growth
rate is expected to be driven by expansionary fiscal policies, while private
investments and exports during the forecast period are expected to continue
with a relatively stable growth rate. More precisely, in 2013 it is projected
to achieve greater economic growth, which results from the increase in exports,
investments and consumption, mainly as a result of the increase in public
sector wages and the multiplier effect on the economy of Kosovo.
Description�������������������������������������� ��2013������
2014�� ���2015���
2016����� 2017���� 2018����
2019
Figure 2. Burimi : Departement I Makroekonomise, MF
Economic development at the local level
Local
economic development is about the well-being of a country, a locality (Malizia et al., 2020). As distinguished from "economic development" in
general, local economic development focuses on particular contexts, which vary
spatially. 'Context' refers to the constellation of endogenous behaviors and
formal and informal institutions that have evolved in a country and interact
with exogenous currents that may be social, cultural, economic, political,
ecological. Approaches to local economic development vary substantially and are
context specific. "Local" has different meanings in relation to the
wider context in which places are conceived. "Economic development"
also has different meanings; so the nature of "well-being" is
interpreted differently, in relation to the theoretical perspectives of
researchers. Therefore, 'local development' and 'economic development' are
treated separately, and approaches to local development as a field of study are
elaborated later. Local economic development (LED) is seen as one of the most
important ways to reduce poverty. Local economic development should aim to
create jobs by making the local economy grow (Amin, 2017). This means that more businesses and factories should start in
the municipality area. As part of RDPs, key stakeholders in a municipality must
come together to reach agreements and make decisions to grow the economy and
create income opportunities for more people, especially the poor. The national
government makes policy and provides funding, research and other support for
local economic development. Municipalities decide on LED strategies and the process
of achieving a LED strategy should be part of the integrated development
planning (IDP) process. LED strategies should be based on the general vision
described in the IDP and should take into account the result of the analysis
done to identify problems and prioritize development projects. It should also
look at things like integrating our living and working areas, building
development corridors between areas and supporting the economy with good public
transport.
The principle
of subsidiarity in the EU The principle of subsidiarity is a powerful principle
that enables municipalities to act and regulate areas in which the central or
regional government does not act and where goals can be better achieved by
acting at the municipal level.�(Shih: Ligjin nr 03/L-49. P�r vet�qeverisjen
Lokale n� Kosov�. Prishtin�) Article 15 of the
Law on Local Self-Government in Kosovo states that "Municipalities
exercise their powers according to the principle of subsidiarity" (Hajdari et al., 2021). Article 17 of the same law specifies that municipalities
"have full and exclusive powers, in terms of local interest, respecting
the standards defined in the applicable legislation, in the following
areas" a) local economic development; h) provision of public preschool,
primary and secondary education, including registration and licensing of
educational institutions, employment, payment of salaries and training of
instructors and education administrators; s) any issue that has not been
expressly excluded from their competence, or that has not been assigned to
another authority. Article 30 of the same law further stipulates that
"municipalities have the right to conclude cooperation agreements with
foreign local self-government bodies in all areas of autonomous municipal
competences and extended competences, with the exception of those in paragraph
2 of Article 40 of this law." Regarding finances, Law No. 03/L-49 marks
the competences of the local government in generating revenues that make the
municipality self-sustainable. Among the powers, the following powers of the
municipality for taxes and payments are noted:
a)
Tax for the
Business Activity Permit - the municipality, by municipal regulation, may
establish an annual fee which must be paid by registered business organizations
to obtain or maintain such a business activity permit. Such a regulation may
also establish a register of different taxes which are assigned to different
categories of business activities. Any such tax for business activity must be
assessed only on the basis of the rules established by municipal regulations.
b)
Tax for the
Permit for Professional Services - the municipality, with municipal
regulations, can set an annual tax that must be paid to obtain or keep such a
permit for the exercise of professional business activity. Such a regulation
may also establish a register of different taxes which are assigned to
different categories of professional services. As we will see below from the
literature section, these competencies are essential in the design of economic
policies that can lead to economic development and new jobs.
The
goals of local economic development
As in
economics generally, we distinguish between a descriptive or analytical
perspective and a more activity-oriented or political perspective. From a
descriptive perspective, Local Economic Development will cover all economic
activities that occur at a local or regional level and/or have any impact on localities.
From this point of view, the locality is seen as an economic actor in itself.
In traditional economic thinking locality exists more or less as a place or
space where other economic actors such as enterprises, industries, investors,
authorities, etc., compete and use or exploit their natural and human
resources. From the point of view of the local economy, it indicates
localities, i.e.: neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities and regions are
understood as "living organisms".
The purpose
of local economic development (LED) is to build the economic capacity of a
local area to improve its economic future and the quality of life for all. It
is a process through which public, business and non-governmental sector
partners work collectively to create better conditions for economic growth and
employment generation (Malizia et al., 2020). While "economic development" is often confused with
economic growth or industrial development, it is generally accepted to be a
proactive collaborative process within which multiple efforts exist that
collectively serve to improve economic progress and the quality of life as
such, economic development can and often does. involves a range of
stakeholders, governmental, non-governmental, community and private sector
organisations, focused on a range of outcomes such as new business start-ups,
greater sector diversification, job creation, increased productivity, increased
sustainable, improving the quality of life, etc. LED refers to the process in
which local government, or any agency, authority or organization on behalf of
local government, undertakes to improve the ability of a community to provide
economic progress in a quantitative and qualitative manner. The success of a
community today depends on its ability to adapt to the dynamic local, national
and international market economy.�(Economic Development Reference Guide)
Strategically
planned LED is increasingly used by communities to strengthen the local
economic capacity of an area, improve the investment climate and increase the
productivity and competitiveness of local businesses, entrepreneurs and
workers. The ability of communities to improve quality of life, create new
economic opportunities and fight poverty depends on their ability to understand
LED processes and act strategically in the ever-changing and ever-changing
market economy, and more competitive.�(www.ilo.org) Each community has a
unique set of local conditions that increase or decrease their potential for
local economic development, and it is these conditions that determine an area's
relative advantage in its ability to attract, generate and retain investment.
The economic, social and physical attributes of a community will guide the
design and approach to implementing a local economic development strategy. To
build a strong local economy, good practice confirms that each community should
undertake a collaborative process to understand the nature and structure of the
local economy and conduct an analysis of the area's strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats. This will serve to highlight the key issues and
opportunities facing the local economy. But much more interesting is the
political perspective of Local Economic Development: definitely more than
"economic development at the local level"; it is a special way or
type of economic development and different from other forms or types of
economic development. To understand its specific character, I will present four
scenarios: The first scenario is called "development from above": The
main actor here is the state, working from the top down from the central
government to the regional and local authorities. In this scenario, local actors,
people, enterprises as well as authorities expect decisions and resources
coming from above, because they believe that the state is either primarily
responsible for all kinds of development or only has the power to do so. This
attitude is often found in societies with centralized governments, not only in
authoritarian regimes, but also in strong welfare states. This scenario is
usually associated with a high degree of dependency and arbitrary measures. And
finally, it no longer works, if the state gets into political or economic
problems.
Why
are local governments important to economic development?
Successful
private enterprise and productive public-private partnerships create wealth in
local communities. However, private enterprise requires a positive environment
that enables business to thrive. Municipal government has an essential role in
creating a favorable environment for business development and success. By its
very nature, local economic development is a partnership between the business
sector, community interests and municipal government.
The premise
of government involvement in LED implies that economic development as a
government activity must include an effort to encourage private investment in a
given jurisdiction for the purposes of creating or retaining jobs, expanding
the tax base, and increasing the level of welfare. general economic being (Porter, 2015). Local government played a key role in their position as a leader
in development. They can respond efficiently to the needs and challenges facing
citizens, including economic development. Their leadership can thus ensure
inclusiveness and sustainability of community wealth.
LED is
usually strategically planned by the local government in collaboration with
public and private sector partners. Implementation is carried out by the
public, private and non-governmental sectors according to their capabilities
and strengths. However, local governments still need to monitor and coordinate
the process, especially to ensure the proportional benefit generated.
Therefore, their leadership is a key factor leading to sustainable economic
development.
Businesses
that affect economic development
Businesses
influence the economic development of the country, based on the businesses that
are more developed in the respective state (Aparicio et al., 2016). Thus, in the state of Kosovo, the businesses that influence
economic development are:
1.
Sole
proprietorship: In sole proprietorship, the owner has unlimited liability for
all debts of the company. The company has a formal name or includes the owner's
legal last name and includes the abbreviation "B.I."
2.
Collective
company: In the collective company, all partners are liable without limitation
and jointly for the debts of the company. The Official Name of the General
Partnership must include the words "General Partner" or the
abbreviation "O.P.".
3.
Limited
partnership: In the limited partnership, except for "unlimited"
partners (partners who are liable without limitation and jointly for the
company's debts), limited partners or those partners who are responsible for
the company's obligations up to the limit of the value of contributions theirs.
The Official Name of the Limited Company must include the words "Limited
Company" or the abbreviation "O.K.".
4.
Limited
liability companies: Limited liability companies are those companies that are
established by one or several founders, who are responsible for all debts and
other obligations with all assets. The Official Name of the Limited Liability
Company must include the words "Limited Liability Company" or the
abbreviation "SH.P.K".
5.
Joint-stock
companies: Joint-stock companies are those companies whose capital is divided
into shares and whose shareholders are responsible for all debts and other
obligations with all its assets and property. The company can be established
and have one or several shareholders. The Official Name of the Joint Stock
Company must include the words "Stock Company" or the abbreviation
"SH.A". The initial capital of this company is at least 10,000 euros.
6.
Foreign
commercial company: The foreign company is a commercial company and from the
moment of registration it is considered a branch in Kosovo that does not have
the identity of a legal entity. After the registration, he enjoys all the
rights and obligations defined on the basis of the law in force. The Official
Name of the Foreign Trade Company Branch in Kosovo must include the full name
of the Foreign Trade Company with the suffix "Branch in Kosovo" or
the abbreviation "D.K".
7.
Representative
Office of the Foreign Trade Company: The Official Name of the Representative
Office of the Foreign Trade Company in Kosovo must include the full name of the
Foreign Trade Company with the suffix "Representative Office in
Kosovo" or the abbreviation " Z.P.K".
8.
Social
enterprises: Social enterprise means the legal entity that most of the assets
and capital are socially owned. These enterprises until privatization are
monitored and registered by the Kosovo Privatization Agency according to Law
No. 06/L-016 for Commercial Companies.
9.
Public
enterprises: A public enterprise is an enterprise that performs activities of
general interest, which is established by the state. The public enterprise is
monitored by the Government and organized as a Joint Stock Company in
accordance with the law in force for commercial companies. All ownership
interests in a public enterprise will be represented by shares and all such
shares must be registered.
10. Agricultural cooperatives: An agricultural cooperative is a
commercial company established by natural or legal persons, who must all be
farmers who contribute their private property to the share capital. The
cooperative of farmers is founded by at least five (5) farmers, who are
signatories of the obligations. The cooperative will not be created without
capital, nor will it exist without capital. The capital is divided into shares
of equal value with a minimum value of �10. The director cannot be a member of
the cooperative. All this is found in Law No. 2003/9 for Agricultural
Cooperatives as well as Law No. 03/L-004 on the Amendment and Supplement to the
Law on Agricultural Cooperatives No. 2003/9.
Individual business
- 93,129
90,00 2, General company 3,383 3,20 3, Limited company 90 0,08 4, Limited
liability company 6,170 5,80 5, Joint stock company 368 0,35 6, Foreign
ownership 67104. Public enterprises 12 0.01 9, Agricultural cooperatives, etc.
CONCLUSION
In order to have a strong and efficient local
government, it is important to pay attention to local economic development, so
in the long term, only those municipalities that can generate local economic
development will be able to provide the wide range of services, and can also
improve the performance of their administration. Due to financial deficiencies,
currently, most municipalities in Kosovo find it difficult to offer a wide
range of quality services. This situation is partly a consequence of the lack
of local economic development that is closely related to the unfavorable
business climate, problems with the rule of law and corruption, as well as
general economic preconditions. The content of the paper generally contains the
economic development at the local level and that in the municipality of
Prizren. To develop in the economy, we must consider the factors that affect
economic development and growth and we must invest in these factors as well as
form strategies to develop more of those types of businesses. This means that
the municipal level does not have policies for the promotion of some economic
and business activities that fit the local context and that can benefit from
the right preconditions for business. For example, not all municipalities can
generate local economic growth from tourism, but those that have such potential
can develop clear policies that will increase their income, reduce the level of
unemployment and also generate with the intensification of economic activities.
Thus, during the content of the paper, the businesses that fundamentally affect
the economic growth of the municipality of Prizren have been mentioned, but it
does not mean that e.g. Tourism will affect the economic development of other
municipalities as well as in the municipality of Prizren, since the municipality
of Prizren, based on statistics, is considered the municipality most visited by
tourists and for this reason, tourism and hotel businesses should be looked at
and developed. more in this municipality. Therefore, in general, during the
content of the paper, it was determined in more detail that there was economic
development from businesses, either from tourism, agriculture or from other
businesses developed in the city of Prizren.
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