Slideshow with information about Kosovo. Contains political/legal/administrative, economic, cultural, and geographical aspects.

1. Kosovo

2. Political, legal, administrative aspects

3. Source Die Welt in Bildern. Eine Bildauswahl der NZZ-Redaktion. February 17th, 2011. Kosovo celebrates year 3 of its independence

4. Source http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/politik/international/jahjaga_zu_neuer_praesidentin_des_kosovo_gewaehlt_1.10170146.html Ms. Atifete Jahjaga, President of Kosovo

5. The gender equality is one of the fundamental values of democratic development of society of Kosovo. Source : http://www.rks-gov.net/en-US/Qytetaret/Familja/Pages/BaraziaGjinore.aspx

6. Source : http://www.eciks.org/english/publications/Top10_2010_Web.pdf Taxes in Kosovo 10% Corporate income tax 16% Value added tax 0 – 10% Personal income tax Percentage Tax

7. Comparison of tax systems in the region Source : http://www.eciks.org/english/publications/investorsguide09.pdf , p. 34.

8. Economic aspects

9. In 2008, there were 87,960 small and medium enterprises (SME). About 47% of these are engaged in trade industry. Source : http://www.ipak-vienna.org/repository/docs/investorsguide.pdf

10. The Trepca and Ferronickel conglomerates employ, together, more than 12,000 people. Source : http://www.invest-ks.org/?cid =2,45

11. The Ferronikeli nickel plant in Kosovo is supplied with nickel ore from the group’s mines in the country, as well as imports of third party ore from Albania, and supplemented with other ore to optimise blends and production. In 2006, Cunico Resources acquired Ferronikeli. Cunico Resources is incorporated under Dutch law as the holding company for a joint venture operation owned equally by International Mineral Resources, Zürich, and BSGR, two strategic investors in the metals and mining industry. IMR is owned by the Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC). Sources http:// www.eciks.org/english/lajme.php?action = total_news&main_id =618 http:// www.bsgresources.com / http:// www.cunicoresources.com Ferronikeli

12. Source : http://www.eciks.org/english/publications/investorsguide09.pdf Some foreign companies in Kosovo

13. Natural resources lead chrome kaolin zinc bauxite magnesium nickel lignite

14. Source : http://www.eciks.org/english/publications/investorsguide09.pdf World lignite reserves

15. At 14.700 million tonnes, Kosovo possesses the world’s 5th largest proven reserves of lignite . This mineral is of outstanding importance for the country, representing in a long term one of the most crucial factors for the power generation. Source : http://www.invest-ks.org/?cid =2,44 http://www.pak-ks.org/?id =20

17. Source : http://www.eciks.org/english/publications/investorsguide09.pdf , p. 20. Top 6 exports

18. Agriculture

19. Agriculture contributes 19% to the GDP and is the main source of income for the majority of the population. Source : http://ipak-vienna.org/repository/docs/investorsguide.pdf

20. Dairy farm structure Source http://www.euroqualityfiles.net/AgriPolicy/Report%202.1/Kosovo%20Agripolicy%20D2-1.pdf

21. Source http://www.euroqualityfiles.net/AgriPolicy/Report%202.1/Kosovo%20Agripolicy%20D2-1.pdf Largest companies in Kosovo dairy market

22. Dairy sector efficiency Source http://www.euroqualityfiles.net/AgriPolicy/Report%202.1/Kosovo%20Agripolicy%20D2-1.pdf

23. Source http://ipak-vienna.org/repository/docs/investorsguide.pdf http://www.pak-ks.org/?id=20 http://www.eciks.org/english/publications/investorsguide09.pdf Long wine making tradition in Kosovo

24. Financial industry

26. Banks Source : http://www.ipak-vienna.org/repository/docs/investorsguide.pdf

27. Procredit Bank arrived in Kosovo in 2000 and is now a leading player with more than 40% share of the market and more than 300,000 customers. Source http://www.kosovotimes.net/kosovo-pdf-library-download-section/doc_download/49-republic-of-kosovo-a-realm-of-golden-investment-opportunities.html

29. Insurance companies Source : http://www.ipak-vienna.org/repository/docs/investorsguide.pdf

30. The automobile sector again dominates the market taking up a share of 57%. Currently only one single company offers life insurances. Sources http://www.uniqagroup.com/uniqagroup/cms/eng/press/press_release/archive/2007/pae_albanien.jsp

31. Infrastructure

32. There is an opportunity to construct a highway in Kosovo worth 1.17 billion euros and Turkish companies can participate in such construction. Zafer Caglaya Turkish State Minister Source http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/78512/turkish-minister-there-are-serious-business-opportunities-in-kosovo.html

33. Source Swedish Trade Council, June 2009. http://www.swedishtrade.se/PageFiles/136620/About%20Kosovo%20-%20Fact%20Pack%20-%20Juni%202009.pdf

34. IT and telecommunications

35. From being inexistent 10 years ago, Kosovar companies in the IT sector offer today high quality services and the latest technologies to their customers both locally as well as to foreign companies who want to outsource their software development or support centres. Sources : http://ipak-vienna.org/repository/docs/investorsguide.pdf

37. Source : http://www.invest-ks.org/?cid =2,89 According to the latest figures of the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) only about 15,3% of the Kosovars use internet on a regular basis .

38. Sources http:// www.eciks.org/english/invest.php?action = total_invest&main_id =15 http://ipak-vienna.org/repository/docs/investorsguide.pdf http://www.kosovotimes.net/kosovo-pdf-library-download-section/doc_download/49-republic-of-kosovo-a-realm-of-golden-investment-opportunities.html Kosovo has 2 mobile telephony operators , with over 200 million Euro investment by the Slovenian Telecom for one of them. The state-owned mobile telephony operator VALA with over 850,000 users will be available for privatization soon.

39. Textile industry

40. Currently, there are some 451 private companies engaged in textile production. Of these, 90% are final product producers. Source : http://www.eciks.org/english/publications/investorsguide09.pdf , p. 14.

41. Sports

42. Sources http://ipak-vienna.org/repository/docs/investorsguide.pdf http://www.invest-ks.org/?cid =2,48 http:// en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Kosovo The mountainous south of Kosovo has great potential for winter tourism. One of the most interesting opportunities for foreign investors in this region is the skiing resort Brezovica in the Sharr Mountains. The resort, situated between 1,700 and 2,500 meters above sea level, has been offered for privatization by the Kosovo Trust Agency. It offers excellent weather and snow conditions as well as long ski seasons from November to May.

43. Publicly owned companies

45. Kosovo's citizens are the poorest in Europe, with an average annual per capita income of approximately USD 2,750 . About 45% of the population are unemployed. Source : http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/100931.htm

46. Cultural aspects

47. Sources http://www.rks-gov.net / https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kv.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/country-profile/kosovo http:// www.eciks.org/english/invest.php?action = total_invest&main_id =15 http://www.invest-ks.org/?cid =2,10 http://www.kosovotimes.net/kosovo-pdf-library-download-section/doc_download/49-republic-of-kosovo-a-realm-of-golden-investment-opportunities.html 88% Albanians 7% Serbs 5% other Groups in population 2.2 Million 70% under 35 years old Population

48. With an average age of 25 years , Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe. Source : http://www.eciks.org/english/publications/Top10_2010_Web.pdf

49. Population density Source : http://www.asecu.gr/Seeje/issue05/beilock.pdf , p. 228

50. Kosovar diaspora

51. Every person who has legal and regular residence outside Kosovo , but who was born in Kosovo, and has close family and economic relations in Kosovo, is considered a member of Kosovar Diaspora. Source : http://www.rks-gov.net/en-US/Qytetaret/Mergata/Pages/KthimiTrurit.aspx Definition

52. Source : http:// www.hslu.ch/amir_haxhikadrija_e.pdf 24% Switzerland 49% Germany Percentage Residence of kosovar diaspora

53. The Kosovar diaspora are about 30% of the Kosovo population. Source : http:// www.hslu.ch/amir_haxhikadrija_e.pdf

54. Remittances from the kosovar diaspora - located mainly in Germany, Switzerland, and the Nordic countries - are estimated to account for 13% - 17.5% of GDP. The GDP of Kosovo is USD 5.3 Billion. Sources : https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kv.html http:// www.hslu.ch/amir_haxhikadrija_e.pdf

55. 74% of Kosovo-Albanians in Switzerland aged 23 and 24 hold no more than a compulsory school diploma. Source : http:// www.hslu.ch/amir_haxhikadrija_e.pdf

56. Geographical aspects

58. Source : http://www.eciks.org/english/publications/investorsguide09.pdf , p.42. Traveling distances from Prishtina to major regional centres

59. Sources http://www.guardian.co.uk/country-profile/kosovo http://www.flickr.com/photos/kosovakid/182689634/in/set-72057594126115415/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kosovakid/140469090/in/set-72057594126115415/ Gjeravica 2,565 metres