Prishtina, January 29, 2026 – The American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo hosted a meeting with the Executive Director of the Food and Veterinary Agency, Bekim Hoxha, focusing on food safety, trade facilitation, and regulatory compliance. The meeting brought together representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo and AmCham members.
Opening the discussion, Fikret Havolli from Orbico and also Chairman of the AmCham Trade Committee, welcomed the Executive Director and highlighted the importance of the meeting for the business community, as it strengthens communication and constructive dialogue between the private and public sectors. He further emphasized the value of addressing private sector concerns and gaining clarity on the Food and Veterinary Agency’s strategic priorities and future plans.
Executive Director Bekim Hoxha outlined the role and mandate of the Food and Veterinary Agency as a key institution responsible for implementing food legislation. He explained that since 2022, the FVA has been operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and exercises its activity in accordance with three core laws: the Veterinary Law, the Animal Health Law, and the Plant Protection Law. The Agency’s main priorities include public health, animal health and welfare, and plant health.
Hoxha also highlighted the institutional transformation initiated in the year 2023, which includes changes to the organizational structure and the drafting of a new functional regulation. However, this regulation is not yet in effect; it is expected to contribute significantly to human capacity and overall institutional development. The reform process has encompassed improvements in animal count through the authorization of professional companies, as well as enhancements to phytosanitary services.
Furthermore, he noted that in 2024, with support from a European Commission project, the digitalization of all FVA systems commenced; meanwhile, the digitalization of the inspectorate is expected to begin in April this year. This institutional and structural transformation aims to simplify processes through digital solutions. The FVA is also strengthening cooperation with Kosovo Customs for the integration of institutional systems, facilitation of procedures for importers, and the implementation of risk-based analysis.
In parallel with structural reforms and digitalization efforts, the Agency is working to develop the FVA laboratory further. The National Laboratory has requested the international accreditation of several high-capacity testing methods. This constitutes a key element for enabling the export of animal-origin products, especially to European markets. These initiatives are intended to support operators, producers, and processors by ensuring that analyses are carried out more quickly and more efficiently.
Participants also discussed operational challenges affecting their businesses, including issues related to managing product distribution, import constraints and challenges with international certificates. The importance of continued dialogue and collaboration with the Agency to identify practical solutions was emphasized.