AGP Executive Report

Government Formation: Kosovo’s “Kurti 4” cabinet was approved by the Assembly (62 votes in favour, 8 against) and sworn in, with Albin Kurti unveiling the full ministry lineup, including Glauk Konjufca (Foreign Affairs), Donika Gërvalla (Justice), Hekuran Murati (Finance) and Mimoza Kusari (Trade, Industry and Innovation). Enterprise & Exports: RJM International, which works across manufacturing and export projects reaching Kosovo among other markets, received a King’s Award for Enterprise 2026 after strong export growth over three years. Gaza Logistics Role: Kosovo officially signed up to the US-backed Board of Peace and the International Stabilisation Force for Gaza, with claims of earlier troop deployment and planning support spanning logistics and civil affairs. Tech Manufacturing: Impossible Objects announced a $40m Series B to scale industrial-scale composite 3D printing, aiming to move parts production beyond prototyping. Regional Trade Friction: Kosovo added a tariff on Serbian wheat seed, adding another pressure point to Balkan agri-trade.

Kosovo Government Update: Kosovo’s “Kurti 4” cabinet was approved by the Assembly with 62 votes in favour and eight against, and the new ministers were sworn in after MPs from several parties boycotted the session. New Cabinet Line-up: Prime Minister Albin Kurti unveiled the executive team, including key economic and industry posts such as Trade, Industry and Innovation (Mimoza Kusari) and Economy (Artane Rizvanolli), alongside Agriculture (Armend Muja) and Infrastructure and Transport (Dimal Basha). Export & Manufacturing Spotlight: RJM International, which works globally including Kosovo, received a King’s Award for Enterprise in 2026, citing strong export growth and manufacturing capability tied to lower CO2 emissions. Tech for Industry: Impossible Objects announced a $40m Series B to scale industrial-scale 3D printing using composite-based additive manufacturing, aiming to move beyond prototyping into volume production. Education & Mobility: Rochester Institute of Technology is steering more students toward its Dubai and Croatia campuses due to U.S. visa challenges, with Kosovo listed among its connected campuses.

Kosovo joins Gaza stabilization effort: Kosovo has officially signed up to the US-backed “Board of Peace” and the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza, with the Board of Peace saying Kosovo deployed soldiers earlier than publicly stated and is involved in logistics, civil affairs, and unexploded ordnance clearing. Local industry & services angle: The same week also highlights how regional infrastructure and public services can swing quickly—like scheduled water disruptions elsewhere—reminding businesses in Kosovo to plan for continuity when utilities face emergency repairs. Media & publishing spotlight: The National Media Authority is showcasing media oversight and publishing services at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, underlining regulatory work that affects content and distribution. Culture with Kosovo ties: “Before the War” won top honors at Venice Critics’ Week, with the story featuring a Kosovar immigrant—another reminder of Kosovo’s growing presence in regional creative industries.

Kosovo’s KLA Verdict Support Mobilizes: Kosovo’s Islamic Community and other groups are backing a “Freedom Has a Name” campaign ahead of the Hague verdict, with mosques invited to join a Saturday march under the message “The KLA unites us,” pulling in universities, trade unions, business associations, sports clubs, artists and civil society. Gaza Stabilisation Deal: Kosovo has officially signed up to the US-backed Board of Peace and the International Stabilisation Force for Gaza, with claims that Kosovo Security Force personnel are already involved in planning, logistics and unexploded ordnance clearing. Industrial-Scale 3D Printing Funding: Impossible Objects, a manufacturing tech firm using composite-based additive manufacturing, announced a $40m Series B to scale production for strong, lightweight parts—aimed at replacing CNC and injection molding for some applications. Education Pathways for Kosovo Campus Students: Rochester Institute of Technology is steering more students to its Dubai, Croatia and Kosovo campuses as US visa rules tighten, offering a “Global Pathway” for first-year study abroad. Water Security Angle for Kosovo: A new analysis argues Balkan rivers are becoming strategic assets, warning that Kosovo reservoir and transfer plans could reshape downstream flows and pushing for a EU-backed Balkan Water Pact with shared data and joint impact models. Tourism and Culture Link: Kosovo is listed among new exhibitors for the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair opening Sunday, signaling continued cultural trade and publishing visibility.

Kosovo in Gaza Stabilization: Kosovo officially signed up to the US-backed Board of Peace and the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), with the Board saying Kosovo will support President Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan and that Kosovo Security Force personnel have been involved in planning for logistics, civil affairs and unexploded ordnance clearing. 3D Printing for Industry: Impossible Objects raised $40m in Series B to scale composite-based additive manufacturing that targets mass production of strong, lightweight parts—aiming to replace some CNC machining and injection molding with faster, tooling-free output. Water Security in the Balkans: A new analysis argues Western Balkan rivers are becoming security assets as drought and reservoir plans reshape flows, urging a EU-backed Balkan Water Pact with shared data and joint impact assessments to avoid “water nationalism.” Regional Business/Services: RIT says it’s using its Dubai and Kosovo campuses to help students navigate US visa challenges, including a Global Pathway option. Aviation Connectivity: EasyJet announced a new Manchester–Southampton domestic route, drawing climate-critic backlash over the availability of rail alternatives. Local Industry Safety: Kosovo’s public energy corporation faced scrutiny after a workplace fatality raised alarms over safety failures.

Retail & Hospitality Expansion: TGI Fridays signed a landmark development deal with Devolli Group to bring the brand’s first-ever restaurants to Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia, with Devolli set to develop 10 locations and hold exclusive sub-franchise rights across the territory. Manufacturing & Advanced Production: Impossible Objects raised $40m in Series B funding to scale its composite-based additive manufacturing, aiming to move 3D printing from prototyping to industrial-scale parts using high-speed production and materials like carbon fiber. Trade Policy: Kosovo imposed a temporary anti-dumping duty on Serbian wheat seed—€0.04 per kg (€40 per tonne)—after an investigation found unfairly low pricing that could hurt local producers. Energy/Industry Safety: A workplace fatality at Kosovo’s public energy corporation has sparked renewed scrutiny of safety failures. Water & Infrastructure Risk: Reports highlight a major scheduled water shutdown in Nairobi for emergency pipeline repairs, underscoring how infrastructure maintenance can quickly disrupt services. Security & Logistics: Kosovo officially signed up to the US-backed Board of Peace and the International Stabilisation Force for Gaza, with claims of Kosovo Security Force involvement in planning, logistics, civil affairs, and unexploded ordnance clearing.

Hospitality & Investment: TGI Fridays signs a landmark development deal with Devolli Group for its first-ever expansion into Kosovo, plus Albania and North Macedonia—Devolli will open 10 restaurants under exclusive sub-franchise rights. Trade & Agriculture: Kosovo imposes a temporary anti-dumping duty on Serbian wheat seed at €40 per tonne after an investigation found unfairly low pricing that could hurt local producers amid already weak wheat prices. Energy & Industry Safety: A workplace fatality at Kosovo’s public energy corporation raises alarms over safety failures. Infrastructure & Water Security: Kosovo’s water policy debate echoes wider regional pressure as transboundary water management becomes a strategic issue; the focus is on reservoirs and basin transfers and their downstream impacts. Transport & Connectivity: EasyJet faces backlash after launching a new short domestic-style route in the UK that highlights how air travel demand and emissions collide with public expectations. Culture & Media: Kosovo-linked regional film industry momentum continues with Adriatic Film and TV Awards nominees, including Kosovo-eligible entries.

Retail & Hospitality Expansion: TGI Fridays signs a landmark development agreement with Devolli Group for its first-ever expansion into Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia, with Devolli set to open 10 restaurants across the three markets and hold exclusive sub-franchise rights. Trade Policy: Kosovo imposes a temporary anti-dumping duty on Serbian wheat seed—€0.04 per kg (€40 per tonne)—after an investigation found early signs of dumping that could hurt local producers amid low wheat prices. Energy & Safety: Kosovo’s Public Energy Corporation faces scrutiny after a workplace fatality raised alarm over safety failures. Regional Water Security: A new analysis flags water as a growing geopolitical issue in the Western Balkans, linking Kosovo’s reservoir and inter-basin transfer plans to wider downstream concerns. Aviation Connectivity: EasyJet launches a new UK domestic route (Manchester–Southampton), adding to its broader flight network that already includes a Pristina route. Defense & Diplomacy: Kosovo formalizes its incorporation into the International Stabilization Force as part of efforts tied to the US-backed 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza.

Aviation & Connectivity: Easyjet announced a new Manchester–Southampton domestic route starting Dec 4, but it’s drawing backlash from eco-minded travelers who point to an hourly direct train. Trade & Agriculture: Kosovo imposed a temporary anti-dumping duty on Serbian wheat seed—€0.04 per kg (€40 per tonne)—after an investigation found unfairly low prices harming local producers amid already weak wheat prices. Energy & Workplace Safety: KEK reported a fatal workplace accident at its Coal Production Division, where a worker was electrocuted while handling a high-voltage cable; the death is the fourth at the company in 2026 and is triggering renewed safety inspections and calls for updated risk assessments. Hospitality & Investment: TGI Fridays signed a development agreement with Devolli Group for its first expansion into Kosovo (plus Albania and North Macedonia), with 10 planned restaurants and franchise/sub-franchise rights. Public Services: Nairobi’s water utility announced a scheduled 26-hour supply interruption for emergency pipeline repairs (a reminder of infrastructure maintenance pressures). Security & International Cooperation: Kosovo formalized its incorporation into the International Stabilization Force (ISF) under a Gaza-related 20-Point Peace Plan framework.

Kosovo Trade Protection: Kosovo imposed a temporary anti-dumping duty on Serbian wheat seed, adding €40 per tonne (€0.04 per kg) after an investigation found the imports were priced unfairly low and hurting local producers as wheat prices in Kosovo sit around 15–18 cents per kg. Food & Hospitality Investment: TGI Fridays signed a development agreement with Devolli Group for its first expansion into Kosovo (along with Albania and North Macedonia), with Devolli set to develop 10 restaurants across the three markets. Workplace Safety at KEK: A fatal workplace accident at Kosovo’s state-owned energy company KEK—where a worker was electrocuted while handling a high-voltage cable—has triggered renewed safety inspections, with unions pointing to outdated risk assessments, inadequate protective equipment, and management pressure after four KEK deaths in 2026 alone. Regional Security Cooperation: Kosovo formally joined the International Stabilization Force (ISF) under the 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza, deepening Kosovo Security Forces’ logistics and civil tasks at ISF headquarters. Kosovo-Serbia Legal Tensions: A former Pristina political commentator, Fatmir Sheholli, pleaded not guilty in a pre-trial hearing over alleged espionage and blackmail for Serbia’s BIA.

Anti-dumping in Food Inputs: Kosovo imposed a temporary anti-dumping duty on Serbian wheat seed, adding €40 per tonne (€0.04 per kg) after an investigation found early signs of unfairly low pricing that could hurt local producers, as farmers already face low wheat prices. Energy Workplace Safety: A fatal workplace accident at KEK—where a worker died after contact with a live 6-kilovolt cable—has triggered renewed safety inspections, with unions pointing to outdated risk assessments, inadequate protective equipment, and management pressure after four KEK deaths in 2026. Retail & Hospitality Expansion: TGI Fridays signed a development agreement with Devolli Group for its first expansion into Kosovo (plus Albania and North Macedonia), with plans for 10 restaurants across the three markets. Public Health & Agriculture Risk: Kosovo is stepping up attention on ticks carrying Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, as the Hyalomma tick spreads further north with climate change. Security & Institutions: A Kosovo man, Fatmir Sheholli, pleaded not guilty in Pristina to espionage and blackmail allegations tied to Serbia’s BIA, involving claims about monitoring Kosovo institutions and political activity. International Cooperation: Kosovo formally joined the International Stabilization Force (ISF) under the Gaza 20-Point Peace Plan framework, expanding its logistics and civil participation role. Regional Politics Impacting Trade: Serbia announced snap parliamentary elections for October 25 after Vucic dissolved parliament, a reminder that political shifts can quickly spill into economic and trade conditions.

Hospitality & Investment: TGI Fridays signed a landmark development deal with Devolli Group for its first expansion into Kosovo, plus Albania and North Macedonia—Devolli will open 10 restaurants and hold exclusive sub-franchise rights across the territory. Workplace Safety: Kosovo’s state power firm KEK saw a fatal workplace accident (electric shock) and renewed scrutiny after the fourth worker death in 2026, with unions citing outdated risk assessments, weak protective equipment, and management pressure. Energy Infrastructure: Kosovo’s neighbors are pushing major grid and storage plans—Energy Community rules are advancing projects including a new 400 kV Albania–Kosova interconnection and pumped-storage expansion at Moglica. Security & Logistics: Kosovo formally joined the International Stabilization Force (ISF), expanding its role in logistics and civil tasks tied to the Gaza 20-Point Peace Plan. Digital Economy: A Pristina/Belgrade research team reports a new approach to click fraud detection using recurrent neural networks tuned with a modified optimization method.

Workplace Safety: Kosovo’s public energy giant KEK is under fresh scrutiny after a fatal electric shock killed worker Arbenit Ahmeti, the fourth KEK death in 2026, with unions citing outdated risk assessments, weak protective equipment, and unsafe cable-handling practices. Energy Infrastructure: Kosovo has formally joined the International Stabilization Force (ISF), expanding its logistics and civil support role tied to the implementation of the U.S.-backed 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza. Regional Power Projects: Albania’s pipeline of Energy Community “projects of interest” includes major grid and storage moves that also affect Kosovo—most notably a new 400 kV Albania–Kosova interconnection and upgrades to regional 220 kV lines. Public Health & Agriculture: Kosovo is highlighted in the spread of Hyalomma ticks that can carry Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, pushing renewed attention to veterinary and public health preparedness. Hospitality & Consumer Markets: TGI Fridays is set to expand into Kosovo (and the wider Balkans) via Devolli Group, signaling continued growth in franchised food and beverage services.

Workplace Safety: A 32-year-old worker died after being electrocuted at KEK while handling a high-voltage cable that wasn’t switched off; the case has triggered renewed safety inspections, with unions pointing to outdated risk assessments, weak protective gear, and management pressure. Energy Infrastructure: Kosovo’s participation in the International Stabilization Force (ISF) was formalized in Pristina, with KSF personnel already supporting ISF logistics and civil tasks—an operational step tied to the 20-Point Peace Plan. Regional Health & Agriculture: Germany and Kosovo are dealing with the spread of Hyalomma ticks that can carry Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, raising new pressure on veterinary and public health preparedness. EU Integration & Governance: The new EU ambassador, Dirk Schübel, urged Kosovo to move fast on institution-building, reforms, and the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, using Growth Plan and IPA funds. Industry Tech: Researchers from Singidunum University and the University of Pristina reported a new approach to detect click fraud using recurrent neural networks tuned with modified metaheuristics.

Workplace Safety at KEK: A 32-year-old worker died after being electrocuted while handling a high-voltage cable at KEK’s Coal Production Division; the case has led to renewed safety inspections and an arrest of a KEK engineer, with unions pointing to outdated risk assessments and weak protective measures. Energy & Grid Integration: Albania’s electricity exchange ALPEX signed a ~€3m deal for electronic trading and clearing platforms to support Albania–Kosova electricity markets, including day-ahead/intraday operations and market interconnection. EU Integration Push: Kosovo’s new EU ambassador, Dirk Schübel, urged faster institution-building and use of Growth Plan and IPA funds, while keeping the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue on track. Health Threat from Ticks: Germany and parts of Eastern Europe are seeing more Hyalomma ticks linked to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, with Kosovo already flagged as a hotspot as climate shifts expand the risk area. Industry Talent & Culture: Manaki Brothers 2026 announced its film competition lineup, including Camera 300, documentary, short, and student categories.

Energy Security: Kosovo’s two main power plants, Kosova A and Kosova B, could be forced to stop after Oct 4 because the energy regulator can’t renew operating licences—its board lacks members due to political deadlock, risking a sharp jump in electricity imports. Electricity Market Tech: ALPEX (Albanian Electricity Exchange) signed an ~€2.97m contract for electronic trading and clearing platforms to connect Albania–Kosova electricity markets, supporting day-ahead and intraday trading and integration with European interconnection solutions. EU Integration Push: The new EU ambassador to Kosovo, Dirk Schübel, took office and flagged a “window of opportunity” for rapid institution-building, EU reforms, and continued Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, urging Kosovo to use Growth Plan and upcoming IPA funds. Aviation & Connectivity: flynas announced weekly nonstop Pristina–Madinah flights starting 26 Oct 2026, a new route for Kosovo’s travel and business links. Culture & Knowledge Economy: Kosovo is set to debut at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (13–18 Sept), adding to the event’s push to grow knowledge and creative industries.