29.07.2010

Workshop organized by the GTZ and KCA

GTZ is one of the donors that support the Kosovo Cadastral Agency (KCA) in implementing the projects related to the cadastre in Kosovo. On Thursday, July 29, 2010 GTZ organized a workshop on "Presentation of the results for verification of the project”.
GTZ has started to support the cadastre in Kosovo with its first project in January 2008. Being interested to further on support KCA and the Cadastre in Kosovo with new projects, GTZ has done the verification for a new project for the period 2011 - 2013, which will be a continuation of existing project on Land-management/Cadastre in Kosovo. From the results of the verification of this new project, will be supported four Municipal Cadastral Offices: Pristina, Mitrovica, Graçanica and Hani Elezit. Participants attending the workshop were representatives from GTZ, KCA, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Ministry of Local Government and representatives of the four municipalities selected for support, mentioned above.
The workshop was opened by Dr. Michael Nebelung, GTZ Director for Kosovo. The results of the verification of the project including the overall goal of the project, packages of products and project management structure, were introduced by Dr. Babette Wehrmann, Mr. Klaus Buschhoff, representatives of GTZ and Prof. Dr. Murat Meha Chief Executive Officer of KCA.
During the presentation of the results of the verification of the project, special importance was given to five project components: methods improvement, techniques and work processes; support to the capacity building in four of the selected MCOs, the support of KCA capacities and policy holders; increasing of experiences of the projects under discussion for improving the legal framework (in harmonization with RECAP); supporting private sector development in the field of cadastre.
The project will begin to be implemented after the approval of funds of 2.5 million € from the German Government.

05.07.2010

The Inauguration of the Municipal Cadastral Office in Prizren

On 2 July 2010, in Prizren Town Hall, there was event of Municipal Cadastral Office inauguration.
Kosovo Cadastral Agency have implemented a World Bank funded MCO Reengineering Pilot Project. The beneficiary of this project was Municipal Cadastral Office of Prizren.
The Project itself was consisted of:
- Production of Implementation Plan and Designing of Front and Back Offices respectively,
- Installation of ventilation and air conditioning system,
- Installation of Fire Protection System,
- Supply with office furniture and IT equipment. Following assessment of MCO’s needs, the Project provided office furniture as well as IT equipment for this office, which have improved working environment by creating optimal working conditions.
Municipal Cadastral Office inauguration in Prizren was welcomed by: the Mayor of Prizren, Mr. Ramadan Muja, Chief Executive Officer of Kosovo Cadastral Agency, Mr Murat Meha, an official of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Mr Adnan Yagcilar and Mr Xhavit Buzhala the World Bank Officer.
This event was also attended by Kosovo Cadastral Agency’s officers as well as by representatives of Prizren Municipality.

30.06.2010

Implementation of Topographic Map Production Project of Kosovo territory through technical cooperation with JICA

CEO of Kosovo Cadastral Agency, Mr. Murat Meha, has had a working meeting with Japan Government’s representative Mr Kaoru Tsuda.
The objective of this meeting was looking at opportunities for starting the project for production of topographic maps of 1:25000 scale for Kosovo territory.
Topographic maps, available at KCA, are outdated since 1975 to 1980).
This Project that could be funded by the Japan Government is very important for the country's economic development and also has a particular significance for orientation, planning, etc.
The Chief Executive Officer Mr Murat Meha, briefed Mr Tsuda of a current situation at KCA and made a general introduction about the data available at Kosovo Cadastral Agency, which will serve as a basis for topographic maps’ production.
At this meeting, Mr. Kaoru Tsuda announced possibilities for support of KCA regarding this Project that can be provided by the Government of Japan.

07.06.2010

Tenth anniversary of Kosovo Cadastral Agency establishment

Kosovo Cadastral Agency marked the tenth anniversary of its establishment today. This event, apart from KCA’s officials, was attended by the Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, Mr. Mahir Yagcilar and the World Bank Consultant Ms. Marianna Posfai.
The Chief Executive Officer of Kosovo Cadastral Agency Mr. Murat Meha welcomed the participants and especially Minister Yagcilar. He presented the work, activities and achievements Kosovo Cadastral Agency over the past ten years.
Mr. Meha added that this is very special data, since it is jubilee for work, activities, achievements and development vision for the future, but also clarification of property relations that the people of Kosovo expects to be clarified as well. Also, Mr. Meha informed staff that the Kosovo Cadastral Agency is now part of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning.
Minister Yagcilar congratulated all for the tenth anniversary of KCA’s establishment and added that the Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment will support KCA as an independent institution in development and in modernizing the Cadastre.
Mr. Yagcilar added that the cadastre and property issues are very important issues for each country so the more efficient and the more close to citizens' requests we are the more functional state will be. In the end of this event a cocktail was organized in honor of the tenth anniversary of Kosovo Cadastral Agency establishment.

04.06.2010

Meeting with Licensed Surveying Companies

The Chief Executive Officer of Kosovo Cadastral Agency, Mr. Murat Meha, has held a briefing with Licensed Private Companies in the field of cadastre and surveying.
Mr. Meha thanked the participants for attendance and informed them for KCA’s developments and activities.
The Chief Executive Officer added that the Kosovo Cadastral Agency is an open institution to all institutions as well as to private sector and good relationships and mutual cooperation in this sector ensures achieving of better results.
The suggestions and requests of participants for specific issues have been acknowledged at this meeting.

28.05.2010

Mayor of Drenas Municipality, Mr. Nexhat Demaku, associated by Head of MCO Mr. Mehdi Kurumeli and Surveying Expert Mr. Fadil Shehu paid a visit to Kosovo Cadastral Agency.
The purpose of this meeting was looking for opportunities for technical and professional support to the cadastre of Drenas but also in other fields related to the cadastre.
Mr. Demaku urged Kosovo Cadastral Agency to provide some professional support particularly in Information Technology as well as to strengthen the cooperation between these two institutions.
The Chief Executive Officer Mr. Murat Meha thanked the participants for their visit and asked to submit their requests in writing. Following their submissions, the possibilities for support will be considered.  

27.05.2010

Kosovo Cadastral Agency visited by representatives from Albania's ALUIZNI

ALUIZNI's representatives (Legalization, Urbanization and Integration of Informal Constructions Agency) headed by Prof. Dr. Shaban Memia, Mr. Behar Zeneli Director General, Mr. Kristaq Qirko, Head of Mapping and Information Technology Sector and Mr. Agim Berisha Head of Municipal Urbanization in Tirana, were received by the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Murat Meha and directors of the directorates of the Kosovo Cadastral Agency.
The Chief Executive Officer Mr. Meha thanked the guests for their visit to Kosovo Cadastral Agency and that these visits are very productive as information exchange and mutual visits promote the process of property registration in Albania and in Kosovo.
Mr. Meha, over the course of the meeting, briefly introduced the work of Kosovo Kadasrale Agency since its establishment until today.
Prof. Memia, on behalf of the delegation, thanked the Kosovo Cadastral Agency for hospitality and made a short presentation about the work and goals of the agency and added that in addition to cooperation between the two countries it is very important for the unification of technology standards and the establishment of relief in all perspectives.
The meeting attended the Mayor of Prishtina Municipality Prof. Isa Mustafa, who particularly stressed the need for better exchange of experiences and mutual support of both countries, particularly in the field of cadastre.
During this visit, the delegation visited for two days the Faculty of Civil Engineering (Surveying Branch), Surveying Private Sector, the Prishtina Town Hall and Department of Cadastre and finally visited the Ministry of Public Administration where he was received by Minister Mrs. Edita Tahiri.

27.05.2010

 Continues cooperation between Kosovo Cadastral Agency and Public Companies

In the context of ongoing commitments, the Chief Executive Officer of Kosovo Cadastral Agency  Mr. Murat Meha at a meeting hosted by Mr. Shala Ferat Director General of the “Trepça” Company, which is under KPA (Kosovo Privatization Agency) management.
The purpose of this visit was cooperation and harmonization of information and data from the Kosovo Cadastral Agency, for properties and assets of “Trepça”, the mineral wealth areas of interest that have been explored by “Trepça” in the past.
Mr. Shala added that mutual cooperation is in mutual interest with the office levels of GIS and IT (Information Technology) so the harmonization of all cadastral records and their verification which has “Trepça” available and that are associated with property and cadastre. Mr .Meha CEO said that the data of KCA are public and they must serve the owner's economy, or any natural or legal person who is interested to have information on various properties in Kosovo.
Mr. Meha added that without cadastral data and without sustainable status of property data the investment cannot be very stable in a long term.

21.05.2010

GeoMedia Professional 5.2 Training  

Within the target of capacity building in developing and upgrading work at Kosovo Cadastral Agency, a two-week basic training in GeoMedia Professional 5.2 software took place at this Agency. The software in question is in use at KCA and MCOs (Municipal Cadastral Offices).
Participants of this training were the following municipalities: Peja, Viti, Shtime and Fushë Kosova. Following completion of the training, all the trainees obtained certificates, provided by Article 3.7 of Administrative Instruction no. MPS 2004/3.   

19.05.2010

The Chief Executive Officer of the Kosovo Cadastral Agency held reception for Swedish University Professors 

The Chief Executive Officer Mr.Murat Meha along with Mr. Muzafer Caka, Head of Projects Coordination Office and Miss Luljeta Vuthi, the Chief of Administration Sector, welcomed the delegation from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.
Swedish delegation was led by Prof. Hans Mattsson, Head of Department for GIS and Geo-information and Prof. Marina Vaskovich, Director of the Master Program for Land Management. In the Swedish delegation, there were also Prof. Olga Petrakovska, from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, State University of Kiev (Ukraine) and Miss Nadezda Kamynina from the Faculty of Surveying and Cartography - Moscow State University.
CEO Mr. Meha gave a presentation on the Kosovo Cadastral Agency and informed the participants of importance, organization, operation and activities of this Agency. Later on, the delegation visited the KCA's directorates and met the staff of Cadastre Directorate, Information Technology, GIS, and Marketing Sector. A presentation of works, which are carried out by the directorates, took place at this occasion.
Also, the delegation visited the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture - the Branch of Surveying of University of Prishtina. They were welcomed by professors Përparim Ameti and Ilmi Zherka, who informed them about the achievements and needs of the Faculty of Surveying. By the end of this visit, delegation met 10 out of 11 Kosovo's former students who studied in the Master Program of Land Management Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden (LM program), a program funded by the Swedish Government - SIDA.

18.05.2010

Cooperation between the KCA and the Kosovo Police

The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Murat Meha, hosted a meeting with the Director General of the Kosovo Police, General Behar Selimi and Major Agron Rukiqi.
At this, meeting there was a discussion on how to find forms of cooperation, the exchange of information and make available the records to Kosovo Police that are available at Kosovo Cadastral Agency, as protection and defense of the country is possible if there is good cooperation among institutions.
General Selimi also congratulated the Chief Executive Mr. Meha for his new post in the Kosovo Cadastral Agency. 

05.05.2010

Co-operation between Kosovo Cadastral Agency and Municipal Cadastral Offices  

Within its continuous activities, Kosovo Cadastral Agency have held a meeting with the heads of Republic of Kosova MCO’s, where the agreement was reached to hold this kind of meeting every month, in order to improve mutual co-operation.
Mr.Murat Meha, KCA’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, in his introductory speech has welcomed all attendees and as well as has briefed the heads of MCO’s about the purpose of this meeting.
According to Mr.Meha, a purpose of this meeting was discussion about some matters significant for cadastre development as well as about the next steps to be taken mutually in order to upgrade co-operation between Kosovo Cadastral Agency and MCO’s. Next topic was setting up of assignments and activities in the future in order to succeed in achieving successful work within a certain period of time, since the Land Administration, its management and real property right registration is one of the main requirements of Republic of Kosova citizens.
Amongst other things, Chief Executive Officer has asked heads of MCO’s to closely co-operate with Kosovo Cadastral Agency, since KCA is the highest authority when it comes to surveying, cadastre and mapping in Kosova.
In this meeting, there was a brief presentation regarding updating of digital graphical data, IPRR registrations as well as making decisions over applications.
During this meeting, the attendees came up with their suggestions and submitted some requests regarding various matters.  

Regional Technical Committee

Organized by the Geodesy and Cadastre Authority of the Republic of Montenegro, on March 30, 2010 in Podgorica was held the first meeting of the Technical Committee were attended representatives from all state authorities for Cadastre and Geodesy in the regional level. The establishment of this committee aims to deepen the professional cooperation in the field of Cadastre between the Authorities for Geodesy and Cadastre of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia.
In this meeting the Kosovo Cadastral Agency was represented by the Head of Project Coordination Office Mr. Muzafer Çaka.

Cooperation Agreement between The Kosovo Cadastral Agency and EULEX Police Executive Department

Kosovo Cadastral Agency has signed the Cooperation Agreement with EULEX  Police Executive Department on Exchange of Information.
The purpose of this Agreement is to enhance cooperation and coordination in respect of information exchange relating to the investigation and detection of money laundering, corruption, economic crime, organized crime, terrorism and other serious crime.
This Agreement establishes procedures, conditions and criteria for facilitating the exchange of information between EULEX  PED and the Agency.

Video-conference – Land Registration as Business

Kosovo Cadastral Agency on March 18, 2010 participated in a video-conference organized by the World Bank for ECA countries (European and Central Asia).
The purpose of this video-conference was to support cadastre agencies from ECA countries in capacity building for the registration of immovable properties and presentation of self-financing models for these agencies.
In this meeting there were present representatives from countries in the region and Central Asia, as well as worldwide known experts of this field.
During the video-conference were presented the following topics:
 -Management and Land Registration - John Manthorpe from England
 -Managing Land Administration as Business- Doing Business in the Netherlands from Rik Wouters
 -Management and Land Administration as Business - David Egiasvili from Georgia

Unification of cadastre as a foundation for spatial data

Kosovo Cadastral Agency according to the Work Plan 2010 has formed working groups for each component with the aim of completing the needed tasks for achieving the expected objectives and results in accordance with the Work Plan.
The Work Plan includes twenty (20) sub-components arising from six (6) main components of the Action Plan (2009-2011), were about 44% of KCA’s staff will be available for the implementation of the Work Plan 2010.The working groups are supported by national and international consultants and contractors and they are lead by Heads of the respective Departments or other appointed persons, as it is defined in the Work Plan 2010.

Result: Comprehensive set of Property Laws, Bylaws and Guidelines to support the cadastre and property rights registration as well as a well functioning land and property market.
Activities: Providing assistance internally within the KCA in legal matters and assistance in discussions with other institutions in understanding and resolving common problems.

Development of KCLIS Strategy

Result: Kosovo Cadastre Land Information System to be accepted as a unique system for managing the spatial data in coordination with all stockholders involved in creating and using these data. This strategy after being drafted is expected to be approved by the Inter-ministerial Land Administration Committee in the Republic of Kosovo.
Activities: The development of this strategy will be in collaboration with all other stakeholders through workshops and other meetings between the institutions. This concept will be associated with the creation of National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).
The drafting of this strategy is expected to end in September this year.

Development of KCLIS Graphical Concept

Result: KCLIS to include managing of the graphical data (raster and vector) and their integration into textual data in the cadastre.
Activities: Analysis and creation of standards for data exchange through discussions, workshops, etc.
Development of graphical concept of KCLIS will be achieved by creating standards for data exchange through workshops and discussions with all stakeholders involved in the maintaining the cadastral data.

Farewell party at Kosovo Cadastral Agency

-   Transparent documentation of decision-making,
-   Top management support for KCA in policy communication and argumentation,
-   Support the formation of the Inter-ministerial Committee for Land Management,
-   Support in the drafting of the Action Plan 2009-2011 and Work Plan 2010 etc.

Implementation of Work Plan 2010 - KCA  Working   Groups

1. Legal Review / Support
2. IT / IM Review / Support
3. Development of KCLIS Strategy
4. Review and Development of KCLIS Graphical Concept

Public Awareness Campaign

With the aim of increasing the awareness and informing the citizens about the importance of the cadastre in Kosovo, today on 22.02.2010 in Kosovo Cadastral Agency was held a meeting between the representatives of the Company for Public Awareness Campaign (Kick-off Conference) and KCA representatives led by the Chief Executive Mr. Hamit Basholli.
The purpose of this meeting was the introduction with the work to be performed by the company and at the same time introduction to developments in Kosovo Cadastral Agency.

This project will last one year and results expected to be achieved by this campaign are:  

• Improved capacity in KCA and MCOs in internal and external communications;
• Improved level of service provision by the cadastral authorities;
• Increased engagement by property owners in ongoing registration activities;
• Improved image of registration and acknowledgement of its importance for the socio- economic development of Kosovo.

Kosovo Cadastral Agency’s RECAP Project approved by World Bank

World Bank’s Board approved the Real Estate Cadastre and Registration Project (RECAP) for the Republic of Kosovo on 4th of February 2010. This project that is one of the first credits that it has been approved for the Republic of Kosovo reaches the amount of 12.25, where 6.74 million dollars are credit with zero interest, and 5.5 million dollars are grant. Kosovo Cadastral Agency and World Bank jointly prepared this project which is in close harmony with the short-term Development Strategy 2009-2011, as well as the Business Plan 2009-2014 for the Kosovo Cadastral Agency and the Cadastral Sector in Kosovo, documents which have been approved by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo in June 2009.    
As a part of the Kosovo Cadastral Agency’s Strategy, this project will help in developing the Cadastre information system, and the Land Administration in the country, as a pre-condition for having a stable immovable property market, which directly influences a stable economic development and creates conditions for a better life for the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo.   
The project will be implemented within a 5 year period and in complete harmony with the Business Plan 2009-2014, and consists of three components:

• Municipal Land Administration – Reengineering of Municipal Cadastral Offices, and supplying the MCOs with furniture and equipments. Systematic registration of buildings and apartments and cadastre reconstruction in 80 Cadastral Zones in the most developed active areas of Municipalities;
• Kosovo Cadastral Agency Institutional framework – Support KCA in fulfilling the legal framework, regulations and work guidelines. Establishment of permanent GPS-KOPOS referent network;
• Project management, Training and Public outreach – Project Coordination Office, implementation of a comprehensive training plan for all stakeholders involved in the property market in Kosovo. Public Awareness Campaign for the role of Cadastre and property registration as well as different client surveys.

KCA’s strategy for NSDI (National Spatial Data Infrastructure  ) in accordance with the European Commission (EC) project for the regional countries

With an initiative of the State Geodetic Administration of the Republic of Croatia and in coordination with all State Agencies for Cadastre in the region, is applied with a joint regional project for Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) to the European Commission (EC). The project is called “INSPIRATION – SDI in Western Balkans” and its objective is broadening of awareness, building of capacities and legislation for the development of the Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) in accordance with the INSPIRE directive of the European Union. Throughout the State Agencies for Cadastre in this joint project participated the regional countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Therefore in order to finalize this project proposal, the European Commission organized a workshop in Brussels from January 19-20 2010, where all the State Agencies for Cadastre from the regional countries participated. Kosovo Cadastral Agency was represented in this event by Mr. Muzafer Çaka – Head of the Project Coordination Office.  

Building of professional capacities at Kosovo Cadastral Agency

With the aim of building the capacities, Kosovo Cadastral Agency has continuously organized trainings for its employees.
One of them is the six-months training, where five (5) employees from KCA were trained on Project Management.
As a part of the training were these modules: Module on communication and reporting, a module on the role and team work, a module on managing the conflict and work under stress, a module on planning and organization, a module on presentation, moderation and team building, a module on quality management, project management and it was also prepared the manual.
After Project Management training has been successfully completed, Kosovo Cadastral Agency organized the distribution of certificates on December 31, 2009, which were handed over by the Chief Executive Mr. Hamit Basholli and by the company Besa Consulting that delivered the training sessions.
The aim of the project, which is financed by the World Bank under BETA project, is to train Kosovo Cadastral Agency’s employees in managing properly the projects so that they can contribute in implementing the Development Strategy for Cadastre in the Republic of Kosovo.

The last Steering Committee meeting  

Kosovo Cadastral Agency on 17.12.2009 held the eleventh meeting of Steering Committee for Cadastre Support Program in the Republic of Kosovo, which was the last meeting of this structure and marked the closing of the activities for this year.
The Minister Bajrami in the mean time the chairman of the meeting, thanked the donors for their support and contribution given for the development of the Kosovo Cadastral Agency, while emphasizing that progress has been made in building mechanisms for further functionalizing and unification of cadastral offices and also in increasing human resources in the Kosovo Cadastral Agency.
The Minister Bajrami also highly estimated the approval of the Strategy and Business Plan (2009-2014) by the Government of Kosovo, where based on that this Steering Committee will ceases to function by 2010. The Inter-ministerial Land Administration Committee which is a key mechanism for further development will continue the work of the Steering Committee.

The Minister Bajrami pointed out that there are many agencies as part of the Government of the R. of Kosovo but Kosovo Cadastral Agency is distinguished by its activities, vision and approach, and the Minister added that KCA will continue to have a full support of the Government of R. Kosovo, while offering a complete managing independence to this institution of great importance for the state.
The Chief Executive Mr. Hamit Basholli briefed the participants about the last Technical Working Group meeting held a day earlier, where important decisions were made regarding the internal organization of the Kosovo Cadastral Agency, capacity building and further financial support. Mr. Basholli also informed the participants for the approval the Action Plan (2009-2011) and Work Plan for 2010 on principle.
Donors expressed satisfaction with the achievements and development of the Kosovo Cadastral Agency, and emphasized that they will continue to support Kosovo Cadastral Agency and the Cadastre sector in Kosovo even in the future with projects, a part of which were approved and are expected to be implemented in coming years.