28.04.2014

STIKK Training Academy organizes upcoming trainings

STIKK offers new training opportunities in order to continue its efforts to promote new opportunities and to expand the scope of services that can be exported in the future. During May, STIKK Training Academy will organize three trainings. On May 12 to 16, trainings in Web Design and Online Marketing will be organized, and from May 26 to 30, training in Databases will be organized.

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28.04.2014

The eleventh edition of the AmCham Career Fair

Për të njëmbëdhjetën herë me radhë, Oda Ekonomike Amerikane në Kosovë, kësaj here në bashkëpunim me kompaninë The HeadHunter organizojnë Panairin e Punës.

For the eleventh time in row, the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo, this time in cooperation with The HeadHunter have organized Career Fair 2014, which is already a traditional event which brings together job seekers and serious Kosovo companies from different sectors such as bank and finance, accounting and auditing, construction and pharmaceuticals, food manufacturing, trade, business consultancy, marketing and public relations.This edition is unique because the Career Fair lasted for two days, and during the fair workshops and conferences with specific topics of labor market will take place. Furthermore, organizers encourage the participation of individuals with disabilities, while at the same time the concept of voluntary work will also be promoted.

This Fair gathered more than 1300 students and job seekers from all regions, where except the workshops and sessions organized with the aim of awareness and consultancy over their integration in labor market, job seekers also had the opportunity to apply for different open positions from twenty companies of different sectors.

At the opening of the fair, the project leader Atlantida Hasani expressed her content for the interest and willingness of the local companies to be part of the eleventh edition of the Fair. Mrs. Hasani encouraged students and job seekers to use this opportunity during these two days, praising the Fair as a unique opportunity for employment.

While, Elton Ilirjani from The HeadHunter Company said that this fair is very practical and tangible for all young people. He also informed the participants on the study conducted on the labor market, by expressing his happiness that over 2,700 young people responded to the questionnaire only from Kosovo, which shows that young people are quite active and aware of what the workplace requires. Furthermore, Mr. Ilirjani invited all participants to attend all the workshops and the prepared sessions with the aim of raising awareness and advising young people on how to apply for a job.

Moreover, Representatives from the Association of Information Technology and Communication (STIKK) presented Skills Gap Analysis during the workshop, whereas various relevant stakeholders had the opportunity to discuss the efforts that are being made in order for the labor force in Kosovo to meet the needs of the labor market.In addition, the participants had the opportunity to attend the presentation of the conducted study of the company “The HeadHunter” on the Employment and Welfare of South-East Europe. This study which included around 10,000 people, of which 2,700 were from Kosovo, was conducted with the aim of researching the job market of five countries of the Balkans. Moreover, the result of this study showed that the private sector is the biggest employer with 66% being employed by the private sector.

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28.04.2014

Training of Membership Groups on the Policy-making Cycle

On 16 April 2014, D4D Institute has organized its first training module for membership groups on policy-making cycle for a more inclusive representation in Kosovo. With the inclusion of membership groups in decision-making, government representatives will be able to make and implement more effective policies. Main training topics included the approach of membership groups identifying a problem, evaluation of their political positions, and methods how they have to influence policy-making. The training has been delivered in a very interactive form while encouraging all participants from membership groups to share best practices during the exercise. As an outcome from this training, a roadmap has been produced with the most advanced methods for membership groups to become more active in the political process. STIKK participated on this event and shared their experience on policy making.

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28.04.2014

STIKK participates in the Triple Helix Project Workshop

On 11 April 2014, STIKK participated in the workshop named “Triple Helix Project” organized by OECD with support of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the European Commission, in the premises of Universum college, where delegates from local institutions, civil society and academia attended.

Topics such as the role of OECD in implementing the Triple Helix project, similar achievements in other Balkan countries such as Bosnia and Croatia, capacity building for innovation, and the relationship between the triangle Government-Universities-Industry were extensively discussed in the workshop.

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28.04.2014

STIKK held a meeting with Kosovo Customs

On 23.04.2014, based on the request of its members, STIKK organized the meeting with Mr. Kelmendi, sector leader for legislation and advice, where the executive director of STIKK, Ms. Cavolli participated together with the representatives of some member companies such as Asseco, Cacttus, Art House, ITD Kosova, Ilir Kosova.

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the administrative problems when it comes to importing ICT equipment, which by law are exempt from customs duties, as well as other problems that are facing the ICT sector companies.

STIKK along with participating companies and with the support the Kosovo customs, they agreed to work on a manual over the Law No. 04/L-163 for goods exempt from customs and goods with zero customs tax, in order to facilitate the implementation of the law adequately.

Mr. Kelmendi expressed his willingness to help companies and also agreed that after the document is completed, a meeting should be organized with representatives of customs.

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17.04.2014

STIKK for the sixth time organized its Assembly for ICT sector companies

On 17 April 2014, in the facilities of Innovation Centre Kosovo, STIKK organized its sixth Assembly meeting.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr.Bernard Nikaj, congratulated the Association for the work done during these six years and considered STIKK as ”The most accountable Association regarding good governance compared with other associations.” He mentioned that this sector is defined as a priority sector for the government and he emphasized that “even though there have been some progresses for the sector in the fiscal policy, the Ministry will continue its efforts in creating a more promising ambient, saying he would personally advocate these facilities.

The audience was addressed also from the most devoted supporter of the ICT sector in Kosovo, the Norwegian ambassador Mr. Jan Braathu. The ambassador stated “The ICT Industry has achieved a great development and massive growth within these six years. From the beginning in 2008, the association has been the integral part for this development. I dare to say that Kosovo ICT sector is one of the most organized in Kosovo, even in the region- thanks to STIKK”. The Ambassador also emphasized the difficulties that the sector is facing, where he mentioned two of the most important: education and government policies for the overall business environment. He also said that the Norwegian government has been supportive of the ICT sector in Kosovo for years and will continue in this direction, however despite this, it should be understood that the ultimate success will depend solely on the Kosovar stakeholders.

Mr. Ilir Rexha from GIZ also praised the Association for its work and emphasized that there is already a genuine German-Kosovar cooperation established in this sector, and that GIZ will continue to support and promote the sector in foreign markets.

Later Mr.Dardan Vokshi, Vice Chairman of STIKK’s board, presented the work of the board and the international activities of the association. While the Executive Director of STIKK presented the one-year work of the association.

The Assembly continued the work in the afternoon, where modifications were made in the Statute of STIKK and four new board members were elected.

Also the assembly approved the annual report of STIKK, the work plan and the budget for 2014 were presented; new membership packages were presented and approved, and finally, a company that will do the audit for the Association during the next three years was elected.

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11.04.2014

Priminister Hashim Thaci visited STIKK

On 11 April 2014, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci visited Mr. STIKK and ICK, where the Prime Minister had the opportunity to get more informed about the achievements of STIKK, ICT developments, and learn about concerns and obstacles in the ICT sector. Present at the meeting were STIKK’s board members Mr. Shkumbin Brestovci, Mr. Driton Hapçiu, Mr. Enver Doko, as well as the executive director Ms. Vjolca Çavolli.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister was presented with a document, through which the following points were asked:

– Establishment of the ICT sector as a priority sector within the Kosovo Development Strategy;
– Creation of Innovation and ICT ministry in the next government mandate;
– Removal of taxes on export-oriented companies in the services;
– Reducing VAT on ICT equipment from 16% to 5%;
– Expand the list of ICT equipment exempt from customs duties;
– Increase public funding for innovation and R&D in the ICT sector;
– Supporting entrepreneurship and “StartUps” in the ICT sector;
– Signing of a strategic partnership agreement between the Government and STIKK the purpose of further development of the sector.

Kosovo Prime Minister agreed with the fact that Information and Communication Technology should be a priority sector for development of the country, where Kosovars will have the opportunity to become a state that is based on knowledge-based economy. Also, the Prime Minister agreed to support us in creating the innovation and ICT ministry, increase funding for ICT, support innovation and startups, as well as sign an agreement between the Government and STIKK.

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08.04.2014

Voluntary Blood Donation from ICK | STIKK | Athene

Every Aprill 7 is World Health Day to mark this day ICK, STIKK and Athene organized the blood donation held in ICK facilities.In action for voluntary blood donation 20 donors participated. The donors were from Innovation Centre (CPI), STIKK, Athene Kosovo, CPI incubator teams and other people who are not part of the center. Blood donation action was held in the “Events Area”, where available were 5 beds together with other associated equipment provided by the National Center for Blood.

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