59-012 Vanka-Heijman.Indd
The Kosovar wine cluster: A booster for regional development? Gajo M. VANKA1, Wim J.M. HEIJMAN2 1Department of Social Sciences, Economics of Consumers and Households Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands 2Department of Social Sciences, Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands Abstract: Kosovo is an economy in transition with a high unemployment, a young population and structural problems. Clusters could be considered as an appropriate approach to develop the region. Th is paper deals with the economic pro- spects of the Kosovar wine cluster, its current opportunities and the introduction of new approaches. Th e analysis was based on the Porter’s innovation theory and the diamond model. Th e Kosovar wine sector could be a promising example for the future cluster development. Wine has a long history in Kosovo although wine consumption is not widespread. Th is paper presents the main problems and opportunities within this sector, describing its structural changes and current developments. Th e study aims to introduce its readers to the potential that the cluster development can off er as well as to understand the local circumstances. Its main focus is therefore to introduce the advantages and opportunities that clusters could bring to this sector, considering the three pillars of sustainable development, namely economic growth, environmen- tal and social development, and achieving competitiveness. Key words: agribusiness sector, business clusters, competitiveness, diamond model, Kosovo, Porter’s innovation theory, Serbia, sustainable development, wine. This research examines sustainable development winemaking all makes this sector attractive to foreign in Kosovo by focusing on the interaction between agencies and investors.
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