Governor Ismaili meets with German Embassy and GIZ representatives to discuss initiative for financial system infrastructure advancement

The Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK), Mr. Ahmet Ismaili, accompanied by Deputy Governor Mr. Dardan Fusha, held a meeting with representatives of the German Embassy and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in Kosovo. The delegation was led by Mr. Daniel Alker, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy, and Mr. David Oberhuber, GIZ Kosovo country director.

The meeting focused on initiating a new strategic project aimed at modernizing Kosovo’s financial system and expanding citizens’ access to financial services. Governor Ismaili provided updates on recent developments in the financial sector, ongoing CBK reforms, and progress made toward the bank’s Strategic Plan objectives.

Discussions centered on a project which aims to further strengthen and modernize CBK and the financial system infrastructure, in line with objectives of the Strategic Plan of the CBK, focusing on:

• Modernization of the CBK’s currency processing infrastructure, enhancing automation and euro counterfeiting protection, alongside institutional capacity building to support regulatory improvements; and
• Expansion of electronic payment acceptance infrastructure, promotion of financial literacy, and financial inclusion initiatives to support a transition toward a cashless economy.

Representatives from the German institutions expressed strong commitment to collaborate with CBK on this project, aligning with the German Government’s objectives to support Kosovo’s financial sector development.

Governor Ismaili highlighted the project’s complementarity with an ongoing initiative supported by the European Union Office in Kosovo, which focuses on safeguarding the euro currency’s integrity following the latest cooperation agreement with the European Central Bank (ECB).

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to continue discussions on drafting the project agreement and other technical arrangements required for the successful implementation of the project.

The Governor of the CBK concluded by expressing gratitude for the continued support from German institutions including the fruitful cooperation with Deutsche Bundesbank.