Kosovo’s government is accepting bids for a partnership with a private operator that would establish Prishtina as a transit destination.
PRISHTINA , Jan. 27 – Kosovo’s government is looking for an international partner to make an 100 million euro investment through a concession contract in order to improve the country’s lone international airport.
“We simply want a partnership with a private operator who is competent and has great experience and will invest nearly 100 million euros in the coming years,” Prime Minister Hashim Thaci told a business conference this week. “We hope to make it possible for the airport to be the best and competitors in the region for decades to come.”
The Conference for the Prishtina International Airport aimed to develop ties with qualified bidders who have entered the race to take over operations at the airport.
The airport would not be privatized in the process, Mr. Thaci added, but would be given for 20 years through a concession contract to the private operator.
Tirana’s international airport went through a similar process a few years ago.
Kosovo has urgent need for further investment in infrastructure and public services across different sectors, and the airport is a starting point.
“With the participation of a private partner in managing and expanding the airport we expect improved services and enhanced infrastructure and generation of additional resources for the government,” Mr. Thaci said. “The private partner will invest their money in our airport. The public will benefit from a new and modern terminal building, which will accommodate a large number of passengers and an increasing number of airlines.”
Several interested bidders for the concession have already applied. They are based in countries like Germany, Belgium and Turkey.
Companies already operating other airports in the region were not allowed to bid as Kosovo wants the new concession partner to establish Prishtina as a transit destination and invest accordingly.
The deadline of submission of bids for the project is the last week of March, while the announcement of winners will take place in April and the contract will come into force in September 2010, according to Kosovo’s government.
