Allowing more development in Kosovo’s mining sector could significantly expand job opportunities, according to Skënder Krasniqi, the President of the Chamber of Business of Kosovo. Speaking on RTK’s morning show, Krasniqi emphasized the need for better coordination among Kosovo’s institutions to support business operations and create a more favorable environment for the mining industry.
“Businesses face numerous challenges, including high land rent and overlapping responsibilities among regulatory bodies,” Krasniqi stated. He noted that companies in the mining sector are demanding concrete action from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development (MAFRD), especially to address labor law violations.
Krasniqi expressed frustration over what he described as institutional negligence. “Many promises were made by the institutions; they assured us that by May 2, the issues would be resolved by law, yet no progress has been made,” he remarked.
Highlighting the scale of the problem, Krasniqi said hundreds of businesses in Kosovo’s mining sector continue to face challenges. He identified specific issues, such as the five-hectare land limit and the five-year lease restriction, which are notably more restrictive than those in neighboring countries. Krasniqi urged that lease durations be extended to support the sector’s growth and stability.