Acting Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Eva Palatova, hopes that Kosovo’s state institutions will become functional as soon as possible so that the country can benefit from the Growth Plan, reports KosovaPress.

She made these comments during the launch of the SME Policy Index 2026 for the Western Balkans and Turkey, organized by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation (MINT).

Eva Palatova, Acting Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, stressed that under the Growth Plan, the European Union has made available 880 million euros for Kosovo over the next three years, in exchange for the implementation of reforms aimed at improving the business climate, boosting investment and exports, as well as promoting innovation and sustainable development.

Palatova said that the European Union remains Kosovo’s largest partner, having invested up to 3.7 billion euros so far.

“While the European Union’s assistance was initially focused on emergency response and reconstruction, it is now focused on strengthening the capacities of Kosovo’s institutions, sustainable economic development and Kosovo’s European integration. Within the Growth Plan I mentioned earlier, 880 million euros over three years are ready to be invested in Kosovo in exchange for reforms. Kosovo has submitted an ambitious reform agenda in the field of private sector development and the business environment. This reform agenda includes seven core reforms and 26 steps aimed at boosting investment and exports, a streamlined and effective regulatory framework, and ultimately promoting innovation and sustainable and inclusive growth,” she said.

The Acting Head of the EU Office in Kosovo added that there is now a need to accelerate reforms and functionalize institutions in order to benefit from the full potential of the Growth Plan.

Deputy Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation, Jeton Mehmeti, stressing that small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the economy, said that the OECD report is important for the country’s economic development.

The Head of the Southeast Europe Division of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Marzena Kisielewska, said that the report is based on the Small Business Act for Europe.

For the OECD, she said, the key issue is the sustainability of small and medium enterprises.