Pristina, Kosovo – The Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund (FKGK) has reached a milestone of €1 billion in guaranteed loans, having supported around 13,000 businesses across Kosovo since its establishment in 2016. The fund’s activities have directly contributed to the creation of over 33,000 new jobs, bolstering economic growth and improving livelihoods nationwide.
Besnik Berisha, Managing Director of FKGK, described 2025 as the most successful year of operations for the fund. According to Berisha, the total value of guarantees has reached €519 million, while the active portfolio currently holds guarantees valued at nearly €170 million, which corresponds to €349 million in underlying loans.
“The fund has now realized another key objective. Since its establishment in 2016, we have reached €1 billion in guaranteed loans, distributed across more than 20,000 separate credit facilities,” Berisha emphasized.
The FKGK has a capital base of €105 million, which serves as a financial buffer to meet obligations arising from loan guarantees extended to partner banks.
Berisha highlighted the fund’s key contributors, noting strong support from the Government of Kosovo, which remains the main capital donor. International partners such as the European Investment Bank and the World Bank contributed €67 million, while the German Development Bank (KfW) added €24.1 million, and USAID contributed €5.8 million in initial capital and helped establish the legal and operational infrastructure necessary for the fund’s activities.
The fund operates through seven guarantee windows, designed to provide both broad access to finance for enterprises and targeted support for more vulnerable market segments.
Despite its broad impact, Berisha noted that businesses owned by women currently account for only 15% of the fund’s portfolio.
Sectorally, the fund has predominantly supported the trade sector (44.4%), followed by manufacturing (19.5%) and agriculture (7.5%)—figures that exceed the sectoral share of total credit in the financial system. The majority of loans are allocated for working capital, equipment, construction and renovation of business premises, and green loans, which make up 0.8% of the portfolio.
Nora Arifi, senior portfolio manager at FKGK, highlighted that over €5 million in loans have been provided to 22 diaspora-owned businesses, primarily investing in manufacturing, hospitality, and trade sectors.
“Diaspora entrepreneurs require additional time to plan and invest. The interest is there, and we have already supported loans totaling over €5 million. These investments are being channeled into production, hotels, and trade,” Arifi stated.
Founded in 2016 under a special law, the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund contributes to creating new jobs, increasing domestic production, improving the trade balance, and developing underserved segments of the economy. Through its loan guarantee schemes, FKGK continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the growth and resilience of Kosovo’s private sector.
