The Saudi Fund for Development has announced the opening of a 9.87-km section of Kosovo's Pristina-M Mitrovica highway following its revamp.

The SFD had provided a $16 million concessional loan in co-ordination with the OPEC Fund for International Development, to the Kosovo Government to help complete the upgraded section.

It connects the capital Pristina with Mitrovica and surrounding municipalities, and is expected to benefit about 600,000 people by improving road safety and reducing travel times, SFD said.

The project was inaugurated in Pristina by SFD Chief Executive Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al Marshad, marking the fund's first completed project in Kosovo.

The improved highway is expected to facilitate the movement of people and goods and improve access to employment, healthcare and other essential services, the fund said.

Speaking at the opening, Al Marshad said the project marked an important milestone in SFD's partnership with Kosovo and would support economic and social development.

Kosovo Finance Minister Hekuran Murati said the project would improve connectivity and access to jobs, education, healthcare and markets.

Al Marshad later met Kosovo officials, including Murati and Infrastructure and Transport Minister Dimal Basha, to discuss development projects and continued cooperation.