Latest news with #Kosovian
The National
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
UK Government to ask Kosovo to take migrants in Rwanda-style plan
Earlier this month, Keir Starmer announced that the Government is beginning talks on a "return hubs" plan to send asylum seekers who have their claims rejected to third countries. The Prime Minister made the announcement in Albania, which has ruled itself out of any potential deal. However, The Times reports that Kosovo in the western Balkans, is one of nine countries which has been shortlisted by ministers as potential destinations for return hubs. READ MORE: SNP file formal complaint over 'race-baiting' Reform UK ad Kosovo's president, Vjosa Osmani, has also signalled that her country would be "open" to talks over the deal. Other nations to have been shortlisted include Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and several countries outside Europe. If established, the return hubs will target asylum seekers who have exhausted their avenues for appeal, differing slightly from the former Tory government's Rwanda scheme which proposed asylum seekers have their claims processed in Rwanda before a decision is reached. As well as acting as a deterrent for small boats crossings, the UK Government said it hopes the move will reduce asylum seekers' ability to find other reasons to prevent deportation, such as starting a family. While no formal talks have begun with any countries, ministers are understood to want to have made progress by the time the UK hosts a meeting of western Balkans leaders in London in the autumn, where illegal immigration is set to be discussed. Senior government sources told The Times that Kosovo was a "plausible" country for setting up a return hub because it is one of the main routes used by illegal immigrants on their way towards the European Union. According to the Foreign Office, nearly 22,000 illegal migrants used the western Balkans route to enter the EU last year, The Times reports. Kosovo, one of the poorest nations in Europe, has a population of about 1.6 million and is bordered by Serbia to the north and east, North Macedonia to the south east, Albania to the southwest and Montenegro to the west. READ MORE: Anas Sarwar must not 'stay silent' on two-child benefit cap and demand action from PM Last week, the Kosovian president said that her country would be open to taking part in the Rwanda-style plan. 'There's been no formal talks with the UK on this issue. It hasn't been raised so far,' Osmani said. 'We would be open to discussing it, however I can't say more than that because I don't know the details. I cannot give an answer on a request that hasn't been made so far.' Several other European countries are exploring similar schemes, including Italy – whose deal with Albania has been caught up in legal action – Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Kosovo incentives for Malaysian investment
KUALA LUMPUR: Kosovo, the landlocked Balkan country, is seeking Malaysian investments across a wide-range of sectors including information and communication technology, renewable energy as well as manufacturing, visiting Kosovo President Dr Vjosa Osmani Sadriu said today. Despite Kosovo's small size, she said sweeteners to lure Malaysian investments included access to the lucrative consumer base in excess of 600 million people based on the country's free trade agreements with the entire European continent. 'This means that investing in Kosovo offers the same opportunities as investing across Europe,' she said, alluding to Kosovo's efforts to consolidate its economy through FDIs and build up its somewhat fragmented industrial and manufacturing sector. 'With the ease of doing business, Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe which is multilingual and tech-savvy, along with labour costs being much lower than in other European countries,' she told Bernama in an interview here today. This coupled with numerous incentives for foreign direct investment offers significant potential for Malaysian businesses, said Osmani, who is on a four-day official visit to Malaysia. During her visit, she met representatives from the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) to discuss investment opportunities Kosovo offers to Malaysian businesses. Although no agreements were signed during the visit, discussions are ongoing and progress is being made, she said. The Kosovian President said the first step would be to hold a joint economic forum with businesses from Kosovo and Malaysia to help identify key areas for a future trade agreement. 'Our teams are actively discussing potential areas of cooperation and I hope Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will visit our country soon to help finalise these agreements,' she said. She said she expects a direct flight between the Kosovian capital of Pristina and Kuala Lumpur in the future which would significantly ease communication and travel between the two countries, which established diplomatic ties in 2011. Osmani arrived in Malaysia on Thursday, her first visit to the country since assuming office on April 4, 2021. Malaysia officially recognised Kosovo on Oct 30, 2008, becoming one of the first Asian countries to do so, with formal diplomatic relations established on March 18, 2011. 'Even now, connections are quite good, mostly through Istanbul with other daily routes available as well. However, direct flights are always a more convenient way to enhance communication and travel,' she said. She also highlighted the appeal of regional tourism packages that include Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro, which are gaining popularity among ASEAN tourists. Osmani said Kosovo was looking to increase its exports globally, including to Malaysia, particularly in the ICT sector. 'Of course, Europe has been the main hub for our exports so far, but in the past couple of years, exports have quadrupled to the United States and several other countries. 'Our businesses are now looking for new markets where they can export their products, and I believe that once the joint economic forum takes place and businesses begin engaging with one another, they will be able to identify the specific needs in this part of the world,' she said. Osmani said Kosovo is also seeking to expand exports to Malaysia, particularly in the food and energy sectors besides ICT. 'Our businesses are already exporting to Europe, the United States and Africa. We see Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region as important new markets,' she said. Last year, trade between Malaysia and Kosovo amounted to RM28.55 million, with Malaysia's exports valued at RM25.92 million and imports at RM2.63 million.
Malaysian Reserve
03-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Kosovo offers incentives to attract Malaysian investments in key sectors
Kosovo, the landlocked Balkan country, is seeking Malaysian investments across a wide-range of sectors including information and communication technology, renewable energy as well as manufacturing, visiting Kosovo President Dr Vjosa Osmani Sadriu said today. Despite Kosovo's small size, she said sweeteners to lure Malaysian investments included access to the lucrative consumer base in excess of 600 million people based on the country's free trade agreements with the entire European continent. 'This means that investing in Kosovo offers the same opportunities as investing across Europe,' she said, alluding to Kosovo's efforts to consolidate its economy through FDIs and build up its somewhat fragmented industrial and manufacturing sector. 'With the ease of doing business, Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe which is multilingual and tech-savvy, along with labour costs being much lower than in other European countries,' she told Bernama in an interview here today. This coupled with numerous incentives for foreign direct investment offers significant potential for Malaysian businesses, said Osmani, who is on a four-day official visit to Malaysia. During her visit, she met representatives from the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) to discuss investment opportunities Kosovo offers to Malaysian businesses. Although no agreements were signed during the visit, discussions are ongoing and progress is being made, she said. The Kosovian President said the first step would be to hold a joint economic forum with businesses from Kosovo and Malaysia to help identify key areas for a future trade agreement. 'Our teams are actively discussing potential areas of cooperation and I hope Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will visit our country soon to help finalise these agreements,' she said. She said she expects a direct flight between the Kosovian capital of Pristina and Kuala Lumpur in the future which would significantly ease communication and travel between the two countries, which established diplomatic ties in 2011. Osmani arrived in Malaysia on Thursday, her first visit to the country since assuming office on April 4, 2021. Malaysia officially recognised Kosovo on Oct 30, 2008, becoming one of the first Asian countries to do so, with formal diplomatic relations established on March 18, 2011. 'Even now, connections are quite good, mostly through Istanbul with other daily routes available as well. However, direct flights are always a more convenient way to enhance communication and travel,' she said. She also highlighted the appeal of regional tourism packages that include Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro, which are gaining popularity among ASEAN tourists. Osmani said Kosovo was looking to increase its exports globally, including to Malaysia, particularly in the ICT sector. 'Of course, Europe has been the main hub for our exports so far, but in the past couple of years, exports have quadrupled to the United States and several other countries. 'Our businesses are now looking for new markets where they can export their products, and I believe that once the joint economic forum takes place and businesses begin engaging with one another, they will be able to identify the specific needs in this part of the world,' she said. Osmani said Kosovo is also seeking to expand exports to Malaysia, particularly in the food and energy sectors besides ICT. 'Our businesses are already exporting to Europe, the United States and Africa. We see Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region as important new markets,' she said. Last year, trade between Malaysia and Kosovo amounted to RM28.55 million, with Malaysia's exports valued at RM25.92 million and imports at RM2.63 million. — BERNAMA
