13 September – Zahide Shefkiu (pictured on the bottom left), the owner of “Edi Brillant,” a curtain shop, shared a significant moment in her entrepreneurial journey during the 9th E-Café event, co-hosted with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the Gjilan region. Ms. Shefkiu recounted her initial struggle to invest personal funds in her startup, leading her to seek her first bank loan.
This personal testimony resonated with other women entrepreneurs gathered at the event, fostering a discussion on the challenges they face in securing funding. Representatives from various financial institutions, including the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund, BKT, Ibas, KEP Trust, and Finca, joined women-owned MSMEs to delve into the pressing issue of access to finance. Each financial institution promoted their ongoing initiatives aimed at facilitating the process for MSMEs to obtain the necessary financial support.
Participants agreed that obtaining the first bank loan remains the biggest challenge in the pursuit of funding. Additionally, the lack of accessible information further contributes to securing funding.
The event demonstrated a commitment from all stakeholders to collaborate closely, aiming to bridge the gap by empowering women entrepreneurs with improved access to funding opportunities. The sharing of personal narratives, coupled with the institutional dedication to facilitate financial access, sets a promising future for women-owned enterprises in Kosovo.
