The Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund (KCGF), together with KfW, organized a Roundtable discussion focused on the challenges and difficulties faced by the agricultural sector in Kosovo. The event gathered various stakeholders related to the sector, including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, ARBK, the Tax Administration of Kosovo, USAID, the World Bank, IFC, EBRD, the Kosovo Banking Association, the Association of Microfinance Institutions, and farmers’ associations.
In his opening remarks, KCGF Managing Director Besnik Berisha highlighted the difficulties within the agro sector, focusing especially on informality, which is mainly expressed in the first link of the agricultural value chain — farmers themselves. Bahrije Dibra from KfW presented KfW’s support through the German Government in establishing the Agro Window within KCGF and emphasized its importance in increasing access to finance for local farmers and agribusinesses.
During his presentation, KCGF Agro Expert Kastriot Këpuska presented the results achieved so far through agricultural loan guarantees under the Agro Window. He also discussed details related to the Business Registry and the Farmers Registry currently used in Kosovo, as well as the challenges faced by the agro sector.
During the discussions on the Kosovo Business Registry, the tax regime in Kosovo, and the Farmers Registry together with the Farmer Certificate and Farmer Identification Number (NIF), participants discussed possible institutional solutions that could help formalize the agricultural sector.
At the conclusion of the roundtable, participants recommended working toward the registration of farmers within ARBK and enabling easier identification of farmers through this registry. It was also recommended that registered farmers should benefit from a special taxation category under the same favorable conditions currently provided in tax legislation. Participants agreed to coordinate future actions in order to provide stronger support to this sector.
The Agro Window is a guarantee scheme operating within KCGF with the aim of supporting farmers and agribusinesses through agricultural loan guarantees. The scheme focuses on facilitating easier access to finance for agribusinesses operating throughout the agricultural value chain by offering highly favorable guarantee conditions for agro-financing provided by banks. The Agro Window was established through cooperation with KfW (German Development Bank).
So far, more than EUR 5.8 million in agricultural loans have been guaranteed, benefiting a total of 122 agribusinesses. This guarantee line, fully financed by the German Government through KfW, is valued at EUR 5 million and focuses on supporting lending in the agribusiness sector, one of the most important sectors for generating added economic value, replacing imports, and increasing the export capacities of local agribusinesses.
This event marks another important milestone for the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund in achieving its institutional objectives, particularly facilitating access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises in Kosovo, increasing employment, and supporting the country’s economic development.
The total amount of loans approved by banks and covered under KCGF guarantees has now exceeded EUR 128 million, distributed through more than 3,360 loans, while investments made through these loans are expected to generate 4,949 new jobs.
In his opening remarks, KCGF Managing Director Besnik Berisha highlighted the difficulties within the agro sector, focusing especially on informality, which is mainly expressed in the first link of the agricultural value chain — farmers themselves. Bahrije Dibra from KfW presented KfW’s support through the German Government in establishing the Agro Window within KCGF and emphasized its importance in increasing access to finance for local farmers and agribusinesses.
During his presentation, KCGF Agro Expert Kastriot Këpuska presented the results achieved so far through agricultural loan guarantees under the Agro Window. He also discussed details related to the Business Registry and the Farmers Registry currently used in Kosovo, as well as the challenges faced by the agro sector.
During the discussions on the Kosovo Business Registry, the tax regime in Kosovo, and the Farmers Registry together with the Farmer Certificate and Farmer Identification Number (NIF), participants discussed possible institutional solutions that could help formalize the agricultural sector.
At the conclusion of the roundtable, participants recommended working toward the registration of farmers within ARBK and enabling easier identification of farmers through this registry. It was also recommended that registered farmers should benefit from a special taxation category under the same favorable conditions currently provided in tax legislation. Participants agreed to coordinate future actions in order to provide stronger support to this sector.
The Agro Window is a guarantee scheme operating within KCGF with the aim of supporting farmers and agribusinesses through agricultural loan guarantees. The scheme focuses on facilitating easier access to finance for agribusinesses operating throughout the agricultural value chain by offering highly favorable guarantee conditions for agro-financing provided by banks. The Agro Window was established through cooperation with KfW (German Development Bank).
So far, more than EUR 5.8 million in agricultural loans have been guaranteed, benefiting a total of 122 agribusinesses. This guarantee line, fully financed by the German Government through KfW, is valued at EUR 5 million and focuses on supporting lending in the agribusiness sector, one of the most important sectors for generating added economic value, replacing imports, and increasing the export capacities of local agribusinesses.
This event marks another important milestone for the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund in achieving its institutional objectives, particularly facilitating access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises in Kosovo, increasing employment, and supporting the country’s economic development.
The total amount of loans approved by banks and covered under KCGF guarantees has now exceeded EUR 128 million, distributed through more than 3,360 loans, while investments made through these loans are expected to generate 4,949 new jobs.