MUNICIPALITYOF SUHAREKË

SUVAREKA

Invest inISTOGISTOK MUNICIPALITY

OF ISTOGISTOK

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Ferizaj/Uroševac

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Istog/Istok

Gjilan/Gnjilane

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A great deal of work was done in Istog, but there are still many activities left to be carried out. I and all by cooperators and

people of good will, regardless of their national background or political or religious beliefs, are ready to work together for the sole purpose of making Istog a better place, with prospects in terms of its local economic development.

I strongly believe in the support and assistance of the citizens in achieving our joint goal and we want the citizens of municipality to be satisfi ed with the services that we provide for a better welfare.

A municipal development strategy is being drafted and it offers a much better future and quality services that we consider vital for our

citizens and a good compass to direct citizens towards creation of new jobs, businesses and development in general.

With the support of the citizens, we will make it.

Therefore, let us, together, move towards new successes!

With respect,Mr. Haki Rugova

Mayor of Istog/Istok Municipality

Foreword by the Mayor

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Kosovo Eastern Europe, the heart of the Balkans, time zone GMT +1.

Geostrategic position: at the crossroads of European corridors 7 and 10 - the main link between Europe and Asia.

Party to Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).

Four neighboring countries: Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.

Territory: 10.887 km2 surrounded by mountains and divided into two subregions and similar population size, fl at land,

Temperate continental climate, average temperatures: January -5 ° C in June, 24 ° C with favorable precipitations.

Kosovo has the most favorable business conditions in the region. Based on the World Bank’s business report indicators, the Kosovo government has undertaken substantial reform initiatives to im-prove the business environment. To be more specifi c, the Govern-ment has:

Removed the business permit

Reduced documentation for export and import

Removed the business registration fee for all business

Removed the requirement for depositing a charter capital for limited liability companies (LLCs)

Increased protection of investors

Country Data

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The municipality of Istog is located in the southwestern part of Kosovo and northern part of Dukagjin. It covers an area

of 453.84 km2. It is confi ned with the municipality of Skënderaj in the east, with the municipality of Klina in the south, with the municipality of Peja in southwest and west, with Montenegro and Serbia in the north and municipality of Zubin Potok in the east.

Istog is located close to Mokna Mountains at an altitude of 2155 m. The average temperature is about 10.7 ° C.

The warmest month is July, with an average temperature of 27 ° C, and the coldest month is January, with an average temperature of - 10 ° C. Air movement is infl uenced signifi cantly by the relief, so sometimes wind speed reaches up to 120 km/h.

Istog connects to the main streets in several directions: Peja, Mitrovica, Prishtina. It relies for its development on human and natural resources, on the tradition of the people of this area and on the demands of market economy.

PopulationAccording to the last 2011 census, Istog has 39.289 inhabitants, the majority of which are Albanians, 1,650 Bosnians, 2260 are Egyptians and Romas and about 800 Serbs.

These people live in the town of Istog and 51 surrounding villages.

Municipal Profi le

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The local government in Istog is made of two bodies: the Municipal Assembly (legislative body), also the highest institution of the local government, which is made of plenary and permanent committees, and the Municipality, the executive body, which is made of the Offi ce of Mayor and municipal directors and staff.

The Mayor is the highest executive body in the municipality and is elected by the direct votes of the people for a four-year term of offi ce, which means that the local elections are organized every four years, according to the legislative framework.

Current President of the Municipality of Decan is Mr. Haki RUGOVA.

Municipal Assembly is made of 27 members. Municipal administration is made of 9 directorates.

The municipal budget is managed and allocated proportionally among the directorates according to municipal development plans.

According to the amended Law on Allocation for Use of Municipal Immovable Property, the Municipality is entitled to

allocate the property in its possession to stimulate economic development. In this context, the Municipality has recently identifi ed 1540 parcels from municipal properties that comprise 12.7% of its overall territory and that it can allocate for use for a period of up to 99 years.

Drawing from this opportunity, the process of allocation of municipal property has been simplifi ed through organization of auctions.

These auctions create a favorable environment for attracting and implementing investments – so the Municipality is a decent partner throughout the process and your commercial activities.

In 2013, the municipality of Istog has allocated 300 municipal parcels to be used by the farmers of the municipality of Istog, who are planning to plant various agricultural cultures.

Istog Municipality is one of few municipalities in Kosovo that has removed all municipal charges and taxes for businesses that operate in the municipality of Istog.

Municipal administration

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Istog is a town in which abundance of water is evident. Surface water, groundwater and thermal water are present in this

town. As a result, this town has managed to build curative and rehabilitative spas. These spas are being privatized and have not become operational yet to attract enough visitors for this process. A peculiar fact is that these spas have been built close to high mountains and bring clean air to the town at the same time. Privatization was also successful in this town, which has, in the fi eld of hotel services, privatized a large area for growing trout fi sh. High quality trout is grown in the pools of this town, owing to the water and other ingredients that contribute to the fast growth of trout fi sh. In addition, trout fi sh is served directly from the pool to your plate from a cuisine, which is specialized in preparing trout fi sh.

Fruits and crops – Given that Istog is a traditionally agricultural place with suitable climate conditions, Istog has a great potential for growing and cultivating large amounts of traditional and preferred fruits. For example, apples, which grow perfectly along the geographic area of this town, represent a product that is cultivated in large amounts and areas. This region can satisfy the needs of Kosova market and beyond, but, bearing witness of little incentive opportunities for the cultivation of this product, it is impossible to

achieve a high production. This is also why fruit prices in the Kosovar market are so high. One of the reasons for the high price is that these fruits are imported from the neighboring countries and that fruit gardens in Kosovo only produce small amounts. On the other hand, imported fruits become more expensive along the chain of traders until they reach the buyer.

Livestock – One of potentials that the country will be proud of is care for and breeding of livestock, including both thin (coats and sheep) and thick livestock (cows). The cattle can be used to produce both milk and meat. Suitable climate conditions can be considered incredible for fostering a high quality in this activity. These activities are present in the municipality, but not on a large scale. For example, stables were built to take care of livestock that helps produce quality milk, which has a guaranteed market among the existing plants in the country.

Agriculture – is also known as one of the main pillars of the country. People living in this area are quite involved in agricultural activities, individually and collectively, and various local companies employ people for such purposes. Among crops, wheat and corn are cultivated the most and used as nutrition for animals and for the needs of food producers, farmers, tradesmen, etc.

Natural resources, tourism, competitive advantages

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Agrotourism – is a potential competitive advantage that is based on the diversity of terrain, which renders agrotourism more advantageous.

The rationale behind rural tourism, which is how agrotourism is referred to otherwise, relies on the mountains the lie over the roots of this town. The town of Istog has beautiful landscapes and

investing in this fi eld would trigger visits to these mountains rich in clean air and amazing beauty in general.

Stimulating the development of rural tourism would contribute to the acceleration of reforms in the forest sector, foster rural and economic development, help reduce poverty signifi cantly and successful implementation of European standards.

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The Strategy for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises in the municipality of Istog has identifi ed the

following sectors for attracting investments:

Agricultural production (growing fruits and wheat being priorities);

Water production and fi lling;

Mountain tourism;

Construction of rehab and curing centers; and

Wood processing.

Investment opportunities

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Material cultural heritage values are numerous in the Istog. Cultural heritage inventory project for the municipality of Istog, implemented in November-December 2002, has identifi ed autochthonous architectonic objects as follows: 72 castles, water mills, as facilities used in the grain milling technology, and numerous in our municipality, religious objects-8 mosques, 3 maytaps and 3 orthodox churches, on Ottoman architectonic stone castle in the village of Zallç and 11 archeological recovery sites.

Castles are autochthonous architectonic buildings. Istog has 73 castles, 15 of them with three fl oors. They were built from 18th to the end of 20th century.

The material that was used to construct them is limestone, which was abundant near the massive cliffs of the Dry Mountains. Marble was also used as a construction material for a number of castles and architectonic elements and for decorative engravings and castle alcoves.

Water mills are facilities used in the grain milling technology. This craft has an early history that dates back to Illyrians. The fi rst mill in Istog was used very close to the potent water stream, 150 meters away, in 1520, which is also known as Mulliri i Grijajve, and 36 mills were built along the Istog river stream.

Municipal Cultural Heritage

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The Mosque of Mehmet Akif Arsoi, built in 1897, the walls of which exist today in Shushicë, burned during the war.

Mosque of Uça and the adjacent maytap, than the mosques of Vrella, Studenica, Kaliqan, mosque and Islamic high school in Tomoc, mosque in Trubuhovc, maytap in Zabllaq.

Orthodox churches include: Church of Gorioc, Church of Cerkolez and Church of Lubova.

Old Stone Bridge in Zallq, built in 1695, 82, 45 meters long, 4, 72 meters wide, 13 vaulted arches, made of limestone and paved in cobblestones.

As municipality, the municipality of Istog is very rich in archeological values as well. Archeological sites are located along the strip of Dry Mountains, from east up to the west.

Relicts of the walls of an ancient city are to be found in in the settlement called Synë.

Moreover, traces of ancient civilization can be found in the town itself, such as the Illyrian tomb in Cerrcë, giant walls with ship anchoring points, than a Paleochristian Church of the 4th of 5th century A.D. in Studenicë, and many other sites. A bath (known as “Ilixhë”), known for the Illyrian tomb (cemetery) of noble Illyrian families, where Illyrian helmets wrought in bronze, swords of Illyrian kings, jars and other silver jewelries of Illyrian princesses were found.

Archeological recovery sites serve as evidence if inhabitants’ indigenousness and we consider that archeological expeditions will shed more light on this assertion and make it a point of attraction.

Podguri, as a special ethnographic site, is rich in cultural and material values.

Therefore, we have collected exponents with ancient values, which were then exhibited in the premises of Adem Jashari Palace of Culture in Istog, where they can be seen every day.

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This publication was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Democratic and Effective Municipalities Initiative Program in Kosovo.

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily refl ect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.