 Entrepreneur: Rromir Shalqini
Product: Cardboard Packing
Location: Prizren, Kosovo
Jobs created: 4 Full Time (Production & Logistics)
Indirect jobs: 20 Part-time (Used paper collection)
Total investment: 20.000 Euro
BSCK Support: Training; 5.000 Euro loan
A year ago, Romir was a student in Pristina. He participated in the first business plan competition organized by Business Start-up Centre (BSC) Kosovo. As a result of the training program he acquired the skills to start and run a business. He came up with one of the best business plans and won 100 hours consultancy and got access to a 4800 Euro loan. The loan enables him to build a credit history, which will help him to loan more in the future to expand his business. Without the financial investment and support of his family though, he would not have been able to start this company.
Rrul pak produces cardboard package materials from fruit boxes and pizza boxes to fancy mobile phone packing. The cardboard is imported from Bulgaria. At Rrul-Pak it is printed, cut and folded trough a semi-automated process into the final product.
The production line is currently being established in an old cotton factory in Prizren. Machines are being installed and the large room and office is being equipped and furnished. By the beginning of March, Rromir hopes to start first production and kick off with his marketing through big warehouses, TV, Radio, and shop by shop strategy.
Rrul pak currently employs 4 full time workers from Albanian, Turkish and Roma backgrounds. Moreover, Rromir’s side business, collecting used paper, offers an income to an additional 20 people in Prizren. By the end of the year, Rromir expects to hire an extra 2 full time staff.
The obstacles that Romir faces have mostly to do with the inefficient and premature legal system in Kosovo. Examples are the high import taxes on equipment and raw material and the difficulties to enforce contracts under the Kosovo law.
Rromir’s request towards BSC Kosovo is to bring young entrepreneurs like him throughout the region in contact with each other, to be able to share experiences, learn from each other and create new innovative business opportunities.
Two workers preparing cardboard boxes
A paper packing in the form of a small house
Rromir explains visiting BSC Kosovo officers how the cardboard is cut.
Sample products, from fruit boxes to fancy mobile phone packing.
Used paper collection
Photo's by Jeppe Schilder.
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