Banka Kombëtare Tregtare (hereinafter BKT) is pleased to endorse the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (hereinafter the “WE Finance Code” or the “Code”), a global initiative aimed at closing financing gaps and removing constraints for women entrepreneurs. We are committed to working in partnership with other stakeholders in Kosovo to provide leadership, improve data and implement concrete actions to advance this agenda.
As a Signatory to the WE Finance Code, Banka Kombëtare Tregtare (BKT) commits to the following under each of the three pillars of the Code:
Leadership Commitments:
- We designate Ms. Jehona Oruqi Kica as the WE Finance Code Champion representing BKT in the national coalition and coordinating internal implementation.
- BKT will mobilize internal resources by allocating a dedicated budget, introducing staff training, marketing campaigns and IT upgrades, and appointing WMSME ambassadors in regional branches to support women entrepreneurs.
- BKT will advance gender equality in governance and operations through comprehensive actions including employee training, awareness-raising, and revision of HR and wage policies.
- BKT will align our workplace practices with international gender standards such as EDGE or MAMFORCE, strengthening inclusive policies including maternity benefits, recruitment fairness, childcare support and flexible working arrangements.
- BKT will publish a dedicated section in the Annual Report on gender equality and women’s business performance, detailing actions taken under the WE Finance Code.
- BKT will increase visibility of women-owned MSMEs as a business segment through joint campaigns, social media outreach, client testimonials and collaborative promotion.
Data Commitments:
- BKT will conduct research on the needs of women- and men-led companies through surveys and external consultants, of its clients annually to inform product and service design.
- BKT will collect and report sex-disaggregated MSME deposit data to the Central Bank.
- BKT will systematically record, collect, analyze and report reasons for rejected MSME loan applications to better understand barriers faced by women entrepreneurs.
- BKT will align its reporting systems with the nationally agreed WMSME definition, adjust portfolio segmentation and ensure reporting consistency to the Central Bank of Kosovo.
- BKT will develop and promote financing opportunities tailored to WMSMEs needs through targeted communication strategies informed by market research findings.
- BKT will upgrade data infrastructure to enable sex-disaggregated reporting to the Central Bank.
- BKT will contribute to unified sector-wide reporting by applying the coalition definition of WMSMEs.
Action Commitments:
- BKT will redesign existing lending products to address women’s specific needs, including flexible repayment schedules, extended grace periods, and free online banking.
- BKT will develop new financing products tailored to WMSMEs, including loans, overdrafts, deposits, guarantees, POS/VPOS financing, credit cards and circular-economy lending.
- BKT will design tailored account packages for women entrepreneurs based on age, sector and location, incorporating digital services, reduced fees and preferential rates.
- BKT will deliver non-financial services including training on digital marketing, financial literacy, export promotion, negotiation skills, and business planning as well as mentoring programs for WMSMEs to strengthen leadership.
- BKT will increase the number of WMSME clients and total financing volume.
- BKT will organize networking events and support WMSMEs participation in fairs, exhibitions and partner events to improve market access and visibility.
- BKT will enhance cross-selling, encouraging women-led MSMEs to use multiple service lines — deposits, credit, guarantees, insurance, digital channels, ensuring 360-degree financial support.
