Prishtina, 25 October 2022 (MIA) – Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi said Tuesday the economic progress of the Western Balkans requires cooperation and joint promotion of regional countries, MIA reports from Prishtina. Deputy PM Bytyqi told “The Economist” conference “Western Balkans Summit 2022: Building Bridges for Peace, Prosperity and Solidarity” in the Kosovo capital that the key to sustainability and growth of regional economies is building trust. “We have to build trust among our citizens, in the government and in business. We might go up or down but we should go together. Therefore, we should work on an economy that is profitable for businesses and workers,” Bytyqi told panel “Development and Growth in the Western Balkans”. According to him, the most important aspect for the region is a change of the strategy, creating strong ties and inter-dependency. “This new approach brings higher growth, more innovation and stable region. It leads to a new stage of inter-dependency, meaning no competition in sectors or areas but working together and becoming a more competitive competitor as a region,” said Bytyqi. Considering the big shifts in the global economy, he added, the fastest way for regional governments to bring progress to their countries is through joint platforms, including similar support packages and bringing the entire chain of values of the progressive world to the region. “Instead of competing among ourselves of who brings in the investors, we should bring the entire chain of values here,” noted Bytyqi. He urged for swift steps in the development of businesses based on same rules, equal opportunities and equal share. “We have to push each other to success, and this requires responsibility and ensures sustainability. In order to achieve this, we must unite our forces around the ‘triple axis’ – government, business, people,” said Bytyqi. The Deputy PM is accompanied at the conference by Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi, Minister of Information Society and Administration Admirim Aliti, and Deputy Finance Minister Filip Nikoloski. The conference brings together high ranking officials from the EU and the US, heads of state from the region, international institutions, business and finance leaders, academia who will share their insight on new strategies to tackle the current crisis and enhance growth, stability and co-operation in the region and beyond.