Enhancing Market Access and Trade Growth: FEGO’s Impact in Kosovo

Trade
14.03.2025
With Kosovo’s growing furniture, apparel, and rural tourism sectors, the FEGO project has strategically focused on trade initiatives to enhance market access and boost exports. By leveraging global sourcing shifts and Kosovo’s visa liberalization, FEGO connects local enterprises with international markets.

A key part of this effort includes supporting participation in global industry events, such as trade fairs and business-to-business (B2B) meetings, showcasing Kosovo’s craftsmanship, sustainable production, and unique tourism offerings. These efforts enhance competitiveness while driving economic growth through job creation and increased income opportunities.

Kosovo’s furniture sector continues to expand, with export opportunities playing a crucial role. While the Kosovar diaspora has facilitated market entry, many companies struggle to reach beyond these networks. To bridge this gap, FEGO has increased exposure to international buyers. In 2024 and 2025, Kosovo-based wood production and furniture companies participated in the Stockholm Furniture Fair with FEGO’s support. This platform connected them with industry leaders and global design trends. Additionally, FEGO, in collaboration with Interior Cluster Sweden and AWPK, organized a B2B buyers’ mission in November 2024, linking Swedish furniture companies with Kosovo’s manufacturers. These trade partnerships are helping Kosovo’s businesses expand their reach and export potential in Sweden and beyond.

Kosovo’s tourism enterprises made their debut at the Travel News Market fair in Stockholm, a major step in increasing Kosovo’s presence in international markets. Participants engaged in B2B meetings, developed a professional exhibition stand, and received tailored coaching to enhance their presentations. 

This initiative aims to attract more international tourists, particularly from Sweden, benefiting local communities by increasing demand for local goods and services, creating jobs, and improving infrastructure for sustainable economic growth. Two familiarization trips for Swedish tour operators and media are planned for 2025 to further promote Kosovo’s tourism potential.

Kosovo’s fashion designers are also expanding into new markets with FEGO’s support. Recognizing the potential of the Scandinavian market, FEGO facilitated local designers’ participation in Stockholm’s Fashion District, where they gained insights into market trends, effective communication strategies, and valuable networking opportunities. Building on this momentum, FEGO partnered with the Flair Fashion platform to showcase emerging Kosovar designers in a popup shop during London Fashion Week 2024. By connecting designers with industry professionals and potential buyers, this initiative enhances international visibility and opens new sales channels.

In culinary tourism, FEGO supported the participation of ten rural tourism enterprises at the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2024 in Torino, Italy. As the largest gathering of the Slow Food Network, this event introduced Kosovo’s food businesses to sustainable production models and traditional culinary practices. Participants gained insights into biodiversity, sustainable farming, and locally sourced ingredients, enhancing Kosovo's food tourism sector. The activity aimed to strengthen regional food systems and support farmers by promoting collaborations between local gastronomy businesses and farmers.

Through strategic trade-related initiatives across various industries, FEGO is driving economic development and international market integration for Kosovo’s enterprises. 

By helping businesses access new opportunities, establish global partnerships, and adopt sustainable practices, FEGO plays a crucial role in strengthening Kosovo’s economic resilience and promoting long-term growth.

Fostering Employment and Growth Opportunities (FEGO) project is funded by Swedish Agency for International Development (SIDA), and implemented by Swisscontact in Kosovo.

2022 - 2025
Kosovo
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
Fostering Employment and Growth Opportunities (FEGO)
The FEGO project aims to generate employment and income for women, men, and youth, presently living in poverty and socio-economic marginalization. The project seeks to reach sustainable and scalable growth of micro/small (family) business and start-ups, in three main sectors where the project is focused: apparel, furniture and rural tourism.