08.10.2025 – At the ECNWM premises, the Acting President, Mr. Nuhi Aliu, Executive Director, Mr. Durim Zekiri, President of the Supervisory Board, Mr. Fatmir Etemi, Honorary President, Mr. Xhemail Dauti, and Board member, Mr. Agron Mustafi, welcomed the President of SDUM, Mr. Venko Filipce, and the Vice-President, Mr. Fatmir Bytyqi.
During the meeting, the Platform for Local Developmentprepared by ECNWM was presented. The platform includes concrete measures for businesses aimed at addressing the main needs of the private sector and improving the economic climate at the local level.
Acting President of ECNWM, Mr. Nuhi Aliu, emphasized the importance of addressing the requests for the Vizbeg area, including the removal of the illegal landfill in the northeast of the area, which hinders urban development and creates environmental risks. Other measures included in the platform were also presented.
The President of SDUM, Mr. Venko Filipce, added that it is essential to take the requests of the business sector seriously, and that local self-governance, in addition to operating at the micro level, should also function at the state and global levels.
The discussion addressed ECNWM priorities for business development, including encouraging investments, supporting small and medium enterprises, and creating conditions for economic growth.
Subsequently, the Vice-President of SDUM, Mr. Fatmir Bytyqi, presented their program, highlighting key points such as the development of circular economy, increasing efficiency and digitalization of public institutions, reforms in public enterprises, economic development in partnership with the private sector, stimulating young entrepreneurs through subsidies and tax reductions for newly established businesses, improving infrastructure and environmental protection, as well as the energy transition towards renewable sources.
During the discussion, several important issues for local and economic development were addressed, including the lack of detailed urban plans and the need for infrastructure reforms, strengthening public-private partnerships, and improving the education system to build a qualified workforce.
In this regard, Mr. Fatmir Etemi pointed out that although the General Urban Plan was approved over 13 years ago, no Detailed Urban Plan has yet been adopted, which constitutes a violation of legal deadlines requiring updates every five years.
Meanwhile, Mr. Xhemail Dauti emphasized the need for infrastructure reforms and strengthening public-private partnerships. He noted that accountability should be ensured for unrealized projects and that there should be mechanisms to revoke a municipal mayor if laws are not respected. Immediate infrastructure reforms are needed in certain municipalities to enable direct connections to the highway, which would ensure efficient functioning for both citizens and businesses.
The necessity of reforms in education was also emphasized, aiming to build a qualified workforce and change the approach to investment in youth. Mr. Agron Mustafi stated that this is a way to prevent migration by creating new jobs and providing incentive measures.
ECNWM will continue to hold meetings with other political parties to promote the platform and create a more sustainable and favorable economic environment for businesses and citizens at the local level.
