Invest in MUNICIPALITY OF JUNIK 2 Invest in JUNIK

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Photography: Municipality Junik 3

Mitrovicë/Mitrovica SERBIASERBIA

MONTENEGROONTENEGRO

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Junik /Gnjilane *MDNRYsĂDNRYLFD /Uroševac

Prizren/ ALBANIAALBANIA

MACEDONIAMACEDONIA 4 Foreword by the Mayor

would like to begin my introduction with the slogan “A Truly Urban Regulatory Plans, the Development Plan for the Conservation IUnique Junik” because there few towns that are lucky to be of Cultural Heritage, and the Strategy of Local Development. situated in the heart of the nature – these are Unique chances. The presentation of tourism potential, the preservation and Such is Junik, which breathes between the urban and the nature, the conservation of the kullas (tower houses) as an element of the tamed and the wilderness, the plane and the hillside, and the fi elds cultural heritage are of special priority for our Municipality. and the mountain. We see Junik and its tourism potential in the future as a suitable and The Municipality of Junik is a new one: it was established as a pilot- attractive location for the economic development, and in particular for municipality on 26 September 2005, and was certifi ed on 13 August the promotion of tourism, an area which may improve the business 2008. Albeit being a new municipality, through the engagement environment and bring normal living conditions to its citizens. of the Local Governance, of the people of the municipality and many donors, Junik succeeded in drafting and approving important With Respect strategic documents for the municipality such as: The Municipal Mr. Agron Kuçi Development Plan (MDP), the Urban Development Plan (UDP), the Mayor of Country Data 5

Kosovo Achievements in the planning and development areas:  South Eastern , the heart of the Balkans, time zone GMT+1.  Municipal Development Plan (2011-2023)  Part of the Central Europe Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).  Urban Regulatory Plans  Geo-strategic location: in the cross-roads of European corridors 7  Urban Development Plan and 10 – main link between Europe and Asia.  Local Plan for Environmental Action  Four neighboring countries: , Macedonia, Montenegro and  Local Development Strategy .  Conservation and Development Plan for Junik  Territory: 10,887 km2 – surrounded by mountains and divided into two sub-regions of similar size, population and relief.  Mild continental climate with an average temperature in January reaching -5°C and in June 24°C; with favorable precipitation. has the most favorable business conditions in the region. Based on the indicators of the World Bank business report, the has undertaken essential reform initiatives to improve the business environment; specifi cally the Government has:  Eliminated the business permit;  Reduced the number of required documents for export- import;  Removed the business registration tax;  Removed the request for the depositing of the founding capital for limited liability companies; Increased protection for the investors; 6 Stimuli for Business Investment

 All business subjects that are registered for the fi rst time are  The payment may be made in 3 installments (15 April, 15 July and excluded in the fi rst three years of the business activity. 15 November)  All new and existing business subjects that hire more than 5  Sanctions are imposed for failure to meet the obligation in a timely employees from 2012, are relieved for the following two years of fashion, at a monthly usury rate of 1%. the business activity (employees verifi ed by the MTI and TAK).  All Non-Governmental Organizations.  For all business subjects that suffer considerable material damage (fi re and various) the municipal tax is reduced by 50% of the specifi ed base tax for the calendar year.  If the business subject is registered in the fi rst six months of the calendar year the payment is made for entire year 100%. If the business subject is registered in the second six months the payment for that year is made 50 % of the base tariff. Business operating in shorter working hours pay 50 % of the annual tariff.  Business that are not operational are relieved from paying the tariff but they need to inform in advance the Directorate for Economic Development.  For businesses in rural areas (Area III- IV) the tariff is 50% lower than the base tariff.  Business that operate in Area II pay 20% less of the base tariff.  Businesses dealing with agricultural production activities are relieved from the base tariff by 50 %.  All businesses operating in our Municipality and have seats outside of the territory of the Municipality of Junik shall pay 80% of the base tariff. Municipal Profi le 7

unik is situated in the western part of Kosovo, nearby Bjeshkët e Montenegrin border. The distance of Junik from is 25 km, from JNemuna. Its territory has a surface of 77.77 km² and covers the 20 km and crosses through Batushë village, while the geographical latitude of 42,22º and longitude of 20,26º. Its geographical distance from the Pejë-Gjakovë national road is 25 km position is suitable as it lies up to north-west of the plane of Dukagjini, Topography: The Municipality of Junik has a suitable geographical across the river bend of , which comes out of Gjeravica lakes and area across from the picturesque bend of Erenik river. The sea- serpentines across the valleys of the Albanian Alps. level of Junik varies from 450 to 600 above sea level. The town of The territory of the Municipality of Junik reaches to the north-west Junik is located at an average sea-level of 593m. The highest peak is of the plane of Dukagjini and is surrounded by the Municipality Gjeravica, with a sea level of 2656 m, which at the same time is the of , Municipality of Gjakova, the Albanian border and the highest peak of the Albanian Alps in Kosovo. 8 Municipal Administration

unik is one of the newest municipalities in Kosovo, certifi ed as a into two sectors: 1. Strategic Planning and Development Sector and 2. Jmunicipality in August 2008. Agriculture and Forestry Sector. A priority for the Municipality of Junik The Municipal administration in the Municipality of Junik comprises is the development of tourism by presenting the wonderful tourism of two bodies: the Municipal Assembly (the legislative) and the potential both in the local and foreign level. The tourism sector is Municipal Administration (the executive). The Municipal Assembly is one of the priorities for the economy of Junik and the interest that composed of 15 municipal advisors and comprises of the standing has been shown to develop this sector is ever increasing. Based committees. The Municipal Administration, as an executive body, on the exhibited values of cultural heritage, history and nature for comprises of the Mayor’s Offi ce and 7 municipal directorates with tourism purposes in Junik and surrounding areas, the objective of this their respective staff. The Mayor is the highest executive person in strategy is to promote the opportunities for agro-tourism, historical the Municipality and is elected directly by the peoples’ vote for a tourism and mountain tourism. In general terms among the tourism four-year term. The current Mayor of Junik is Mr. Agron Kuqi–law development programs the strategy aims to return and increase the graduate. tourism values and the development of the tourism infrastructure, while on the other hand to organize and undertake marketing efforts One of the most important directorates operating in our Municipality for tourism in Junik, so that Junik is included in the regional and national is the Economic Development Directorate. The Directorate is divided tourism itineraries. Upon the review of the law on the use of municipal real properties, the Municipality has the right to give the property under its possession in order to encourage economic development. In this context, the Municipality has recently identifi ed 283 lots from the municipal property that comprise 1.9% of the entire territory which can be given for use for a period of up to 99 years. In compliance with this opportunity, the process of giving municipal property has been made easier through organizing auctions. These create a favorable environment for attracting and going through investment – while having the Municipality a true partner throughout the process and your business activities. Tourism 9

he tourism in our municipality is the backbone of the Currently, the compounds – the most visited areas by the tourists Teconomic development. The tourism potential of the are: Gjeravica Peak and its two natural lakes, Erenik river, Moronica, Municipality of Junik is closely linked with the geographical position Kullas, Shrines, and the Mosque etc. The tourism sector is closely and the cultural, archaeological and natural resources of this linked with the development of the hotel sector. Municipality, which constitute a huge potential for the development The mountain slopes are suitable for winter and recreational of tour5ism. Viewed in the aspect of tourism development the sports (mountain hiking), the beautiful lakes of Gjeravica, the water Municipality of Junik is divided into three tourism areas: the tourism sources and river segments, the high forests and varied fauna make area of the city of Junik and its surroundings, the tourism area Junik an attractive area with potential for the development of year- of Gryka e Junikut, and the tourism area of Gryka e Batushës. round tourism. 10 Municipal Events (fairs, festivals etc)

mong the main events organized in the Municipality of Junik Aare:  Independence Day celebrations marked with the activity “Independence Run”  Gjeravica days  The day of the Kullas  Liberation Day  Diaspora Days Quality of Life 11

ife in the Municipality of Junik is relatively quiet. Surrounded responding to a variety of needs from the citizens; while the Main Lby the mountains and a clean environment results in a very Family Medicine Center offers medical services. attractive quality of life. The education process comprises of two The police station and fi re fi ghters unit, which have an excellent levels, elementary and secondary, which offer solid conditions cooperation with the citizens of the Municipality look after safety for a bright future in education. The municipal administration and provide help in times of need. serves the citizens through effi cient and very transparent services This publication was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Democratic and Effective Municipalities Initiative Program in Kosovo. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily refl ect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.