Contributed by Boga & Associates.

Did you know that the CEE Q1 leaderboards are available through the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website?

In Kosovo, there has been a diverse blooming of local and international companies. In the daily transactions of these companies, financial institutions continue to act as a catalyst that affects industries’ development. However, as opposed to these companies, financial institutions in Kosovo are regulated exclusively by the Law on Banks and the Law on Insurances. One important aspect of these laws is the procedures for the establishment, recovery, and liquidation of financial institutions in Kosovo, where an active role is foreseen for the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK) as a regulatory body in issuing guidelines and also approvals in cases of restructuring and voluntary dissolution of the financial institutions.

Did you know that the early 2024 deal leaderboards are already available via the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website?

Delving into the impacts of the EU's recent visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens and the country's ambitious strides towards legal and sustainable energy reforms, Deloitte Legal Senior Legal Manager Ardian Rexha shares his insights on the easing of travel restrictions, pioneering steps in renewable energy, and the overhaul of the tax administration system.

Gecic Law, working with the Brussels office of Clifford Chance, has successfully represented the interests of the Arena Channels group regarding a broadcasting dispute in Kosovo. Deloitte Legal reportedly advised Arena Channels as well.

On November 21, 2023, corporate/M&A and private equity experts from Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkiye, and Ukraine sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the key developments in the field over the past decade.

Kerveshi & Partners Managing Partner Kujtim Kerveshi talks about the evolution of the practice and their role as legal advisors in Kosovo over the last 10 years

Gecic Law, working with Deloitte Legal and RPHS Law, has advised MTS on a dispute with Pristina authorities stemming from the decision to revoke MTS’s operating license in Kosovo.

The recent establishment and practice of its Commercial Court – along with other legal developments and the government's push on energy – signify a shift towards impartiality, transparency, and investor-friendly policies in Kosovo, according to Sejdiu & Qerkini Managing Partner Korab Sejdiu.

On May 13, 2022, the Assembly of Kosovo passed Law No. 08/L-056 on Protection of Competition, replacing the previous law that had been in effect since October 2010. The new law aims to align the legal framework with EU rules and enhance the efficiency of the Kosovo Competition Authority (KCA). In the context of mergers, acquisitions, and other forms of concentration, the KCA aims to scrutinize concentration filings to assess potential threats to competition in the Kosovo market.

Kosovo has recently adopted a new law to regulate the pricing of medicinal products (Law on Pricing of Medicinal Products). This marks the first time that Kosovo has taken steps to regulate the pricing of medicinal products, and it is a significant milestone in an upcoming major reform within the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector. The reform also includes new laws on medicinal products and medical devices, health insurance, and related areas.

RPHS Law has advised Shkolla Finlandeze on the full sale of Kosovo-based plagiarism and AI content detection company Crossplag to Norway's Inspera. Pallaska & Associates advised Inspera.

RPHS Law has advised Puratos NV on its partnership with Korabi Corporation.

ODI Law has advised the owner of Macedonian supermarket chain Kit-Go on its sale to Kosovo-based company Viva Fresh. The Zeqiri Law Office reportedly advised Viva Fresh.

The healthcare industry is undergoing reform and the renewable energy sector is shifting to foreign-investment-friendly auction-based strategies, while the new Civil Code and large investment projects – including healthcare digitalization and infrastructure development – are on the books in Kosovo, according to RPHS Law Partner Visar Ramaj.

The banking and financial sector in Kosovo has undergone significant changes in recent years, including the introduction of new legislation for the industry. Kosovo has managed to build a sound and stable financial system, which has contributed to supporting the overall growth of the economy. In addition, financial institutions have been very active in making significant progress in the implementation of advanced technologies and innovation following the latest CEE developments.

Squire Patton Boggs has successfully represented the Republic of Kosovo in arbitration proceedings under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce for a dispute with a virtual mobile network operator.