KCGF International Conference - Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund

Celebrating 10 Years of KCGF

KCGF International Conference

23 April 2026

Overcoming Growth Barriers through Development Finance: Lessons from a Decade of Credit Guarantee Schemes

Event Starts In

KCGF International Conference

REGISTRATION

Registration Location Conference Contributors Programme Photos

Shaping the Conversation

The KCGF International Conference is a conference for dialogue, insight, and collaboration around the future of development finance and credit guarantee schemes.

Bringing together international experts and key stakeholders, the event highlights practical lessons, shared challenges, and opportunities for sustainable growth.

Prishtina • 23 April 2026

Registration

Secure your place at the KCGF International Conference and join financial institutions, development partners, and industry professionals for a valuable day of discussion and insight.

Location

Emerald Hotel Beethoven Hall

Prishtina, Kosovo

23 April 2026 • 09:00

The KCGF International Conference will bring together financial institutions, development partners, and industry experts for a day of dialogue and collaboration.

Conference Contributors

Moderator

Professor Iraj Hashi MBE

Emeritus Professor of Economics, Justice, Security and Sustainability

Professor Iraj Hashi holds a PhD from the University of Keele, an MSc from the University of Maryland, and a degree in Petroleum Refinery Engineering from Abadan Institute of Technology. Since 1978, he has taught economics at institutions including Keele, Simon Fraser, and Tehran Business School. His expertise includes microeconomics, industrial economics, and transition economies, with research and consultancy across Central and Eastern Europe supported by the EU and World Bank.

Presenter

Chul Han Kim

Chief Director of the Overseas Business Support Center

Joined Kora Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT) in November 1999. Early career (2008) focused on corporate credit analysis across multiple branch offices. Earned an MBA from Tsinghua University, Beijing, in June 2011. At Head Office (2023), led strategic initiatives for credit guarantee services. Since January 2026, appointed to lead the European Business Support Center, leveraging extensive expertise in field-based corporate analysis and corporate finance.

Panelist

Hasan Basri Kurt

General Manager at Credit Guarantee Fund of Türkiye

Hasan Basri Kurt holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in International Relations. He has held senior roles in Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and worked as an entrepreneur in IT, food, and construction. A former Member of Parliament for Samsun, he served on the Foreign Affairs Commission. He later held senior roles at the Ministry of Industry and Technology and now serves as General Manager of Türkiye’s Credit Guarantee Fund.

Keynote Speaker

Guy Selbherr

President of AECM

Guy Selbherr is CEO of MBG Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg and Board member of Bürgschaftsbank Baden-Württemberg. With a background in banking and business administration, he joined the guarantee bank in 1992 and became Board member in 2004. He has served on AECM’s Board since 2007 and has been its President since 2021. He also served as President of the German guarantee banks association (VDB).

Panelist & Keynote Speaker

Dr. Ahmet Ismaili

Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK)

Dr. Ahmet Ismaili is Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK) and chairs its Executive Board. With over 20 years in banking and finance, he has held senior management roles in local and international financial institutions. He has also lectured at the Public University of Prishtina, trained for the Banking Association, led the State Treasury, and represents Kosovo on the IMF and World Bank Boards.

Presenter

Michael Gold

Managing Director at Crimson Capital

Michael Gold is Managing Director of Crimson Capital with 50 years of experience in finance, development, and technology across 20+ countries. Specializing in privatization, investment, entrepreneurship, and regulatory reform, he facilitated over $8 billion in loans, PPPs, and investments. In Kosovo, he helped establish the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund, STIKK, and Innovation Centre Kosovo. He holds degrees from Kalamazoo College and UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Panelist

Visar Paçarada

Chief Executive Officer at ProCredit Bank Kosovo

Visar Paçarada has been CEO of ProCredit Bank Kosovo since July 2023 and a Management Board member since 2019. Having joined the Bank in 2007, he focuses on SME development, credit risk, and sustainable finance, overseeing SME and Retail Banking, HR, ALM, and compliance functions. He serves on the Kosovo Banking Association Board and as Vice Chair of the European Investors Council. He holds degrees from the University of Westminster and ProCredit Academy.

Panelist

Katrin Sturm

Secretary General of the European Association of Guarantee Institutions (AECM)

Katrin has worked in Brussels since 2001 and joined AECM in 2013. She previously held roles with BDA, DSGV, ZDH, and served as EU Representative of VDB. A law graduate of the University of Passau, she also studied in Angers, qualified in Potsdam, and earned an LL.M. from Aberdeen. She speaks several languages and is Honorary Consultant to Taiwan SMEG, supporting SME access to finance.

Panelist

Martha Martinez Licetti

Practice Manager of the Prosperity Practice Group, Europe and Central Asia, World Bank Group

Martha Martinez Licetti is Practice Manager of the Prosperity Practice Group, Europe and Central Asia, at the World Bank Group since July 2024. With over 20 years of experience in competition policy, economic regulation, and private sector reforms, she has led global initiatives across 60+ countries. Previously, she served as Lead Economist, Global Lead for Markets and Competition, and held senior roles in Peru’s competition authority and telecom regulator.

Presenter

Mauri Kotamäki

Chief Economist at Finnvera

Mauri Kotamäki is Chief Economist at Finnvera, Finland’s state-owned financing institution, focusing on export performance, internationalisation, investment dynamics, and corporate financing gaps. He previously held senior roles at the Finland Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, and Bank of Finland. An expert in public economics and applied research, he analyses geopolitical, financial, and demographic impacts on growth. He holds a PhD from the University of Turku.

Panelist

Adrian Alo

CEO at KEP Trust

Adrian Alo is an executive with extensive experience in microfinance and banking in Kosovo. As CEO of KEP Trust since July 2025, he has driven strategic growth, risk management, and digital transformation. Formerly Deputy CEO of Banka Ekonomike, he brings strong expertise in operations and finance. He holds a Master of Accountancy from Arizona State University and is active in promoting financial inclusion through AMIK.

Panelist

Nora Arifi

Senior Portfolio Manager at KCGF

Nora has over 20 years of experience in Kosovo’s banking sector, holding managerial roles including Head of Product Management, Head of Small Businesses and Agriculture, and Branch Manager. She contributed to business strategy, credit risk policies, environmental initiatives, and staff development. She lectured at ProCredit Training Centers and has been Senior Portfolio Manager at the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund since 2015.

Presenter

Albulena Jahja Lubishtani

Senior Project Specialist at KCGF

Albulena is an applied economist with a PhD in Economics from a UK university and many years of professional experience. She specializes in evaluation methodologies, econometric modelling, and data analysis, with interests spanning labour economics, the financial sector, gender economics, and education.