New Green Economy Forum explores how Kosovo businesses can prepare for greener EU markets

BY: Ardi Mejzini - 30. September 2026

As environmental standards and requirements related to carbon emissions become increasingly important in EU markets, Kosovo SMEs can strengthen their competitiveness by adopting greener and more resource-efficient business practices. Preparing for this transition requires cooperation between businesses and public institutions. The newly established Green Economy Forum provides a platform for public-private dialogue under the National Council for Economy and Investment (NCEI) to identify business needs, discuss barriers and inform policy responses supporting the green transition. 

The Forum’s first meeting, held on 29 September 2026, focused on how Kosovo’s businesses and institutions can prepare for the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). It brought together businesses, business associations, public institutions, including the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, development partners and other organizations to discuss the implications for enterprises and the support needed to adapt to greener EU markets. 

The EU’s CBAM entered its definitive phase in January 2026, putting a carbon price on emissions embedded in certain goods imported into the EU and encouraging cleaner production. For Kosovo exporters of affected products, understanding and measuring the emissions embedded in their products is important for responding to EU buyers’ requirements, while reducing these emissions can strengthen competitiveness. 

Peter Pozsgai, Head of the CBAM Readiness Task Force at the Energy Community Secretariat, presented developments around CBAM and carbon pricing from a regional and EU perspective. Participants discussed how public institutions can better support businesses in translating changing market requirements into practical steps towards greener and more competitive production.

The discussion highlighted three key areas for advancing preparedness and the green transition:

  • Regional developments and the implications of introducing domestic carbon pricing.

  • Opportunities to use available EU support, including the Growth Facility, to advance preparedness and the green transition.

  • Approaches to help Kosovo exporters adapt to CBAM-related requirements and respond to potential changes in trade and competitiveness in their main export markets.

The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning emphasized the role of public institutions in helping businesses understand and prepare for evolving EU market requirements.

Businesses raised questions directly with institutions and experts about their customers’ requirements, the emissions information they need to provide and the support available to prepare. Reliable emissions data can also help enterprises identify efficiency improvements and guide investment decisions.

«The presentation on CBAM and the responsibilities of the EU buyers we export to was particularly valuable. Understanding what our buyers are facing gives us a clearer picture of what they will need from us and how we can prepare to remain competitive. It is encouraging to see more mechanisms for information and dialogue like the Green Economy Forum emerging. Businesses need spaces like this to understand and prepare for changes in the market.»

Arbnore Musliu Kunushefci, Quality Control Manager at Eurometal LLC

This first meeting marked the start of an ongoing dialogue through the Green Economy Forum. Future meetings will address other priorities for Kosovo’s green transition, bringing businesses and public institutions together to discuss challenges and practical responses. 

The Green Economy Forum was established by the Secretariat of the National Council for Economy and Investment (NCEI), with support from the Greening Private Enterprises in Kosovo (GPEK) project. GPEK is a project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), co-funded by Sweden and implemented by Helvetas.