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Kosovar Women Entrepreneurs meet with Diaspora businesses in Switzerland
Date: 13/10/2022
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The visit of ten Kosovo women entrepreneurs began today, October 13, in Zurich, Switzerland.

This morning they were greeted by the Consul of Zurich, Sami Kastrati, the co-director of GERMIN, Lirim Krasniqi, Teuta Kerhani-Rifati from Prointegra as well as the project manager at GERMIN, Blerinë Ukshini.

“All indicators indicate an increase in Kosovo-Switzerland exchange, with around 50 million euros in exports in 2021.”

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He also congratulated the donor and GERMIN on their selection of women-led businesses in the food and ICT sectors. He also stated that he is so proud when he hears about the successes and empowerment of women in Kosovo.

Lirim Krasniqi, co-director of GERMIN, stated that GERMIN constantly talks about the diaspora, but their presence in the diaspora gives an entirely different feeling. According to him, this demonstrates GERMIN’s ongoing work in Kosovo’s capitalisation.

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“This meeting is a little different from the others we’ve attended. This is because, unfortunately, most meetings when discussing investments from the diaspora or even the promotion of Kosovar products are dominated by men “.

Teuta Kerhani-Rifati of the Prointegra platform gave an opening speech, welcoming USAID Kosova Compete Activity and GERMIN for a project aimed at empowering women.

“On this occasion, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Prointegra platform, which has the contribution and institutional involvement of the diaspora in the development of cooperation between Switzerland and Kosovo,” Kerhani-Rifati said.

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She also expressed hope that this activity will serve the institutions and governments of Kosovo and Switzerland in terms of diaspora policies.

“Cooperation Opportunities: Diaspora and Women Entrepreneurs,” was the topic of a panel discussion in Zurich, Switzerland, where ten women are staying as part of the first cohort of the project “Diaspora for Women Entrepreneurs” supported by USAID Kosovo #CompeteActivity and implemented by GERMIN.

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This panel was moderated by the Project Manager at GERMIN, Blerinë Ukshini, while the speakers were: Fatbardha Dallku from Innovation Academy, Valbona Ajeti from Grasep, Elfete Demiraj from Blif Organik, and Ariona Jupi the project’s mentor.

Also, ten women entrepreneurs from Kosovo had the opportunity to tell more about their businesses through B2B meetings with leaders of various businesses in Switzerland.

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They spoke about their work and had the opportunity to show them the basic products made in Kosovo. Women entrepreneurs were able to expand their network of contacts and discuss future collaboration opportunities.

After that, they had the opportunity to meet the President of the Network of Albanian Businesses in Switzerland, Merita Pinta, who told them about her success story.

Today, on October 13, the participating women will also visit Dinnova AG, a business in the ICT sector in Zurich.

Tomorrow, October 14, they will have the opportunity to visit the business of the food production/processing sector, Optimal Food.

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