Growth Requires More Than Capital
From the economic potential to international competitiveness, the second edition of Lead the Futre highlighted the importance of investment in people, technology and innovation as key factors for boosting businesses in Kosovo.
Business growth, investments in capacity development and competitiveness strengthening were at the centre of the conference’s second edition Lead the Futre 2: Build. Scale. Compete. ), organised by the Bank for Business ( BPB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ( BERZH).
The conference gathered about 300 local entrepreneurs, representatives of financial institutions, international partners and experts to discuss concrete steps towards sustainable growth of businesses in Kosovo.
At the opening of the conference, Mimoza Godncoti-Aliu, BPB Chief Executive, stressed that building a business is only the first step, while growth and competitiveness require continued investments in modern technology, knowledge and processes. Reflecting BPB’s commitment to supporting businesses at every stage of development, she said: We don’t only offer financing, we also provide knowledge and expertise for businesses growing up with us. )
Sergiy Maslichenco, BERZH Director for Kosovo, praised the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and dedication of local businesses, naming them important pillars of economic development. The businesses are one of Kosovo’s main drivers of future success, he stressed, adding that to take advantage of their potential, entrepreneurs need not only financing but also counseling and training. Maslichenko praised the EURZH’s partnership with the BPB, as the first financial institution in areas where the EBRD operates, which joined the programme Youth in Business and, among the first in the Western Balkans to join the Go Digital programme in the Western Balkans.
Within the discussion of Kosovo’s competitiveness, Peter Bielic, Director of the EURZH Associated, and Argjira Kadrij Dusi from BPBThey discussed how investments in the development of professional skills, digitalisation, research and development can increase productivity and enable businesses to infiltrate new markets. Meanwhile, company representatives Drone Ferry, Gerti Foods and Recura FinancialsOn a moderate panel of Valon Canhaz of Hallakashared their experiences and lessons on expanding exports, planning investments, and strengthening internal business processes.
BPB dedication to bringing international experts to Kosovo was reflected even through presentation Boris Shurija, applied psychologistWho addressed the psychology of change and the way people react to stress. Through his presentation, he encouraged entrepreneurs to review the way they deal with uncertainty and develop a more constructive approach to the pressures and challenges associated with the guidance and growth of a business.
Referring to the development of artificial intelligence, Shurija stressed that at a time when technology is making knowledge and technical skills ever more accessible, human qualities such as critical judgment, empathy, curiosity and creativity are taking on even greater importance. When intelligence becomes cheaper and more accessible, we should rely on human qualities: judgment, empathy, connection with others, curiosity and aesthetic sensitivity, he stressed.
Conference continued with Lead Labs, individual sessions linking entrepreneurs with industry experts, offering professional consulting businesses tailored to their challenges and development plans. Built according to the specific needs of each business, these sessions provided practical orientation for access to financing and advisory services aimed at turning ambitions for growth into concrete steps towards development.
Within the event were placed in the fig tree two EURZH programmes, Your in Business i n Go Digital in the Western Balkans, which are implemented in partnership with the BPB. Discussions highlighted how combining financing, counseling and training helps businesses turn their development plans into concrete investments. Program Your in Business It combines funding with advisory support for new entrepreneurs, with the support of the European Union and the governments of Italy and Luxembourg. Meanwhile, the program Go Digital in the Western Balkans It combines funding with technical assistance financed by the European Union and incentives of 10% of the qualified loan.
Through the second edition of Lead the Futre, BPB, BRDH reiterated their commitment to supporting sustainable growth of businesses in Kosovocombining access to knowledge, expertise and development opportunities. The conference message was clear: Kosovo has great entrepreneurial potential, but turning this potential into long-term competitiveness requires continued investment in people, technology and innovation.