Governor Ismaili participates as panelist at the 2025 International Conference on European Economic Integration (CEEI) of the Austrian National Bank

The Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK), Mr. Ahmet Ismaili, participated as a speaker at the 2025 International Conference on European Economic Integration (CEEI), in the Governors’ Panel titled “The Financial Future of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe: Financing Growth and Innovation”, organized by the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) in Vienna.

The conference addressed key developments in EU capital markets and perspectives for integration into a common capital market, the digitalization of the financial system, developments related to crypto-assets and digital money, financial innovation, as well as risks to financial stability.

Governor Ismaili contributed to the Governors’ Panel “Current Developments in Capital Markets, Cross-Border Cooperation Initiatives, Digitalization, and Impacts on Financial Stability”, moderated by Mr. Martin Kocher, Governor of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank, with participation from governors of several European countries.

In his remarks, Governor Ismaili presented the latest developments in Kosovo’s financial system, highlighting significant progress in establishing the foundations for capital market development and expanding access to finance, advancing digitalization, modernizing the payment system, strengthening financial integrity, and enhancing financial stability. He emphasized that Kosovo has taken important steps toward building a functional and sustainable capital market infrastructure initiation of the new capital markets legislation and preparations for the development of the necessary technical infrastructure.

The Governor of the CBK also discussed the digital transformation of Kosovo’s financial system in recent years, including preparations for SEPA integration, the implementation of instant payments (TIPS Clone), the historic increase in the use of digital channels and e-banking, the expansion of the market for payment service providers, and the finalization of the regulation for licensing crypto-asset operators. He underlined that digitalization is enhancing financial inclusion, facilitating access to finance for citizens and SMEs, and increasing efficiency in the financial market, while efforts continue in financial education and consumer protection.

In the discussion on financial stability, Governor Ismaili emphasized that Kosovo enjoys a stable banking system, with low levels of non-performing loans, high liquidity, and solid capitalization, in an economy largely financed through the banking sector. He noted that the euroized economy, progress in payment infrastructure, supervisory regulation, and support from international partners have created a stable and predictable environment for investors. Key institutional achievements include the obtaining of Kosovo’s credit rating, its transition to donor status in the World Bank’s (IDA), and its removal from the IMF’s list of fragile states.

Governor Ismaili highlighted the importance of further integration with the European Union in the financial sphere, including SEPA integration, regulatory harmonization, and market modernization, noting that deeper financial integration with the EU will increase investor confidence, improve access to long-term finance, and boost sustainable economic growth.

In closing, while thanking the Austrian National Bank for the invitation and organization, Governor Ismaili reaffirmed the CBK’s commitment to modernizing the financial system, developing the capital market, advancing digital innovation, and strengthening financial stability, in line with Kosovo’s European integration objectives and the vision of a stable, competitive, and internationally aligned financial system.