In July 2018, a group of Kosovo producers and processors of both naturally-grown and cultivated non-wood forest products went on a three-day sales mission to Switzerland. The purpose of the trip was to meet with Swiss companies operating in the same sector, and explore potential of building strategic partnerships.

The six Kosovo companies: Agroproduct, Fungo LLC, Eurofruti, Peppermint International, Agroflorentina, and Natyra met with four Swiss companies. These meetings focused mainly on presentation of the quality and variety of made in Kosovo products, and how such products may be tailored to meet the requirements of Swiss buyers.

This sales mission was organized by Shoqata Organika and Swisscontact’s project in Kosovo Promoting Private Sector Employment, in collaboration with Triple E – a company based in Switzerland that deals with establishing international business linkages and mediation.

“Currently, non-wood forest products made in Kosovo are less present in the Swiss market compared to several other European countries, and we see here a great opportunity to expand the market for our producers,” says Besnik Cecelia, market facilitator at PPSE.

In general, the presentation of companies and their range of products were well-received by the Swiss counterparts. “After completing this sales mission, we are in the process of preparing for the return visit of the Swiss companies, which are interested in checking on the spot activities of Kosovo producers,” says Cecelia.