03 MONOGRAPH 20 YEARS RIINVEST RIINVEST MAY 15, 2015 1999 (Aprill) Riinvest team and 04 offices are deported or relocated MONOGRAPH 20 YEARS RIINVEST 1995RIINVEST as refugees in Tetovo, Macedonia. Under Professor Muhamet Mustafa’s leadership, Kosovo intellectuals and economists establish the Riinvest 1999 (July) After the 1998 Riinvest’s first study 2003 For the next liberation and return, in Institute. entitled “Economic activities 8 years, Riinvest cooperation with Friedrich and economic development of is engaged in the Ebert Foundation, Riinvest Kosovo” is published. The study development of over 20 Institute organizes the first is presented in Budapest.First municipal strategies in international conference in contacts with OSI in Budapest Kosovo. Pristina; the conference was are established. dedicated to the contry‘s reconstruction. 1999 (August) Under the DFID support, the survey of 3500 Kosovar families about the war consequences starts. Riinvest’s first summer school is also organized. 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2001 Under Professor Iraj Hashi’s leadership, begins the collaboration with Staffordshire University. 1996 CIPE and the NED Boards approve Riinvest’s first international project proposal. 1999 (September) Begins Kosovo’s private sector survey. Since then, the SME survey was conducted in regular basis. 2002 In cooperation with KFOS represented by Luan Shllaku, and KACI represented by Veton 1997 The first agreement between The first contract with USAID 2000 Surroi, the “Forum 2015” is the CIPE and Riinvest is signed. is signed. In the next four years, established. Up to today, this Riinvest with the USAIDs’ support forum serves as an umbrella would produce over 20 research of organizings and the most reports, conference and dicussion important discussions for the tables. country. 05 MONOGRAPH 2009 Rinvest’s first engagement 20 YEARS RIINVEST RIINVEST Begins the long-term outside the region begins. In 2012 2005 Riinvest Institute is cooperation with the European collaboration with CIPE, Riinvest is awarded the “Golden Medal of Commission Office in Pristina.The engaged in an international project Independence” by President Development Academy is established. Ibrahim Rugova on the merits in the Middle East. for the freedom, Kosovo’s independence and democracy, and its contribution to economic development and the design of Kosovo’s future. 2013 Supported by the European Commission, Riinvest becomes part of the two regional initiatives; that for anti-corruption SELDI and for open government. 2015 Riinvest marks its 20 year anniversary. 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2014 Riinvest, supported by SDC, in partnership 2010 Leading managerial with Swiss Contact and responsibilities are transferred to the PEM, establishes the 2007 Riinvest College is established, new management. Lumir Abdixhiku is office for the Promotion one of the Institute’s most synergistic appointed the Executive Director, while of the Private Sector and partners. Alban Hashani the Research Director. Employment-PPSE. 2006 Riinvest team engages in advising for the Unity Team in the 2011 Starts the first long-term Vienna dialogue process for defining cooperation with SDC in the field Kosovo’s final status. of horticutlure. 06 MONOGRAPH 20 YEARS RIINVEST RIINVEST CONTENTS 59 / 4. PARTNERS IN DECADES 60 / ISA MUSTAFA 61 / USAID KOSOVO 62 / CIPE 63 / EUROPEAN COMMISSION 64 / SWISS COOPERATION OFFICE IN KOSOVO 66 / WORLD BANK 67 / KOSOVO FOUNDATION FOR OPEN SOCIETY 10 / 1. INTRODUCTION 68 / FRIEDRICH EBERT FONDATION (FES) 5. OUR FRIENDS 13 / 2. RIINVEST TODAY 71 / 72 / IRAJ HASHI 76 / AGRON BAJRAMI 16 / LUMIR ABDIXHIKU 73 / VETON SURROI 77 / AFËRDITA SARAÇINI 20 / SEJDI OSMANI 74 / SHKËLQIM CANI 78 / ARBANA XHARRA 24 / ALBAN HASHANI 75 / BATON HAXHIU 79 / MICHAEL WEICHERT 29 / 3. RIINVEST THROUGHOUT 81 / 6. BOARD OF RIINVEST THE YEARS 83 / ILAZ RAMAJLI 86 / ISUF BERISHA 30 / MUHAMET MUSTAFA 84 / NAIM HOXHA 87 / ARTANE RIZVANOLLI 54 / PREIDENT RUGOVA AWARDED 85 / YMER HAVOLLI 88 / MERITA GASHI RIINVEST IN THE OCCASION OF THE 10 TH ANNIVERSARY 07 MONOGRAPH 20 YEARS RIINVEST RIINVEST 91 / 7. PERIOD 2000-2009 153 /10. ASSOCIATES THROUGHOUT YEARS 94 / 2000 102 / 2005 96 / 2001 103 / 2006 154 / BUJAR PIRA 158 / MUHAMET SADIKU 98 / 2002 104 / 2007 155 / BARDHA QIREZI 159 / SELMAN 100 / 2003 106 / 2008 SELMANAJ 156 / BESNIK KRASNIQI 101 / 2004 108 / 2009 160 / SALVADOR ELMAZI 157 / HAZIR GASHI 161 / VENERA DEMUKAJ 8. PERIOD 2010-2015 111 / 165 / 11. RIINVEST 114 / 2010 120 / 2013 PROJECTS 116 / 2011 124 / 2014 118 / 2012 126 / 2015 173 / 12. ACTUAL RIINVEST 131 / 9. OUR IMPRESSIONS STAFF 132 / AGON NIXHA 142 / ILIRE MEHMETI 133 / ALBANA GASHI 143 / ISREN 185 / IN MEMORIAM FEJZULLAHU 134 / ALBAN ZOGAJ 144 / MENSUR MUSTAFA 135 / ANTIGONA UKA 145 / MERITA ZHUSHI 136 / DIELLZA GASHI PEJA 137 / EDONA KURTOLLI 146 / PREMTON HYSENI 189 / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 138 / ERANDA BASHOLLI 147 / SAXHIDE MUSTAFA 139 / FISNIK BAJRAMI 148 / VISAR VOKRRI 140 / FISNIK REÇICA 149 / YLLI TAFARSHIKU 141 / GENT BEQIRI 08 MONOGRAPH 20 YEARS RIINVEST RIINVEST 09 MONOGRAPH 20 YEARS RIINVEST RIINVEST 01 INTRODUCTION 010 MONOGRAPH 20 YEARS RIINVEST RIINVEST 01 INTRODUCTION his monograph was written on the occasion of the 20th Michael Weichart, Agron Bajrami (Koha Ditore), Arbana Xharra (Zëri) and anniversary of Riinvest Institute and it contains a sum- Afërdita Saraqini ( RTV21). Chapters six and seven summarize Riinvest’s mary of activities, engagements and perceptions towards efforts throughout two decades. Eighth chapter provides Riinvest staff’s Riinvest throughout this time. The monograph presents personal impressions (sorted in alphabetical order): Agon Nixha, Albana Riinvests’ journey throughout the years, from the first Gashi, Antigona Uka, Diellza Gashi, Edona Kurtolli, Eranda Basholli, Faton Tday of its establishment to the overall society efforts for freedom, from Selani, Fisnik Bajrami, Fisnik Reçica, Gent Beqiri, Ilire Mehmeti, Isren Fe- the reconstruction and development all the way to the independence jzullahu, Mensur Mustafa, Merita Zhushi Peja, Premton Hyseni, Saxhide and post-independence commitments. This publication summarizes the Mustafa, Visar Vokrri and Ylli Tafarshiku. The other chapter, ninth in order, thoughts, perceptions and valuations of national and international stake- continues with an overview from noted colleagues throughout the years, holders, partners, friends and associates of Riinvest through the years. respectively with the writings of Alban Zogaj, Artane Rizvanolli, Naim The monograph contains eleven chapters. After the introductory chap- Hoxha, Bujar Pira, Venera Demukaj, Bardhyl Meta and Besnik Krasniqi. ter, the publication starts with an overview of Riinvest’s current state, Finally, the last chapters explores further Riinvest projects, focuses on followed by an elaboration by the management about the potential devel- biographies of current staff, and notably on the memories of the beloved opment and institutional path for the future years consisting of writings colleagues who are no longer with us. by Lumir Abdixhiku (Executive Director), Sejdi Osmani (Chairman of the Riinvest is grateful to all its partners, friends, associates, and its own Board) and Alban Hashani (Research Director). The third chapter contains staff, for their continuous support in realizing its mission. memories of the establishment and development of Riinvest, from the organization’s founder, Muhamet Mustafa. Chapter four summarizes the views of Riinvest’s key partner organizations through the years, such as USAID, CIPE, SDC, KFOS and FES, along with Government of Kosovo. In chapter five, the monograph is enriched with the writings of Riinvest friends, starting with Iraj Hashi, Veton Surroi, Shkëlqim Cani, Ilaz Ramajli, 011 MONOGRAPH 20 YEARS RIINVEST RIINVEST 012 MONOGRAPH 20 YEARS RIINVEST RIINVEST 013 MONOGRAPH 20 YEARS RIINVEST RIINVEST 2 RIINVEST TODAY 014 MONOGRAPH 20 YEARS RIINVEST RIINVEST RIINVEST 02 TODAY iinvest Institute is the oldest “think tank” in Kosovo op- One of the strongest advantages of Riinvest is its staff equipped with erating since 1995. Riinvest promotes modern eco- professional and academic qualifications, as well as the experience nomic development based on the philosophy of en- and dedication in carrying out activities in accordance with its mission; trepreneurship. Over the past two decades, Riinvest a mission which aims to promote sustainable economic development has produced analysis, publications and different so- in Kosovo, based on market economy. Consisting of distinguished in- Rcio-economic reports; developed markets, sectors, and interventions dividuals from the Kosovar society, the majority of Riinvests’ team is in the value chain; organized seminars, conferences, roundtables and composed of young researchers with western academic qualifications meetings with high economic and business value for the country. - and as a result of this group of distinguished researchers, Riinvest’s The knowledge and experience allowed Riinvest to be competitive and product quality has always been to the highest professional and ethical competent in addressing socio-economic and business issues. Today, standards. In fact, due to the quality of reports, analysis, seminars, this institution is a leading, non-partisan, “think- tank”, in the field of discussions and advocacy missions, Riinvest has managed to ensure socio - economic development in the country. Riinvest staff consists sustainability and maintain partnership