TIRANA, March 17 / ATA / – Italian companies view Albania as a privileged partner not only for its geographical proximity but also for the historic and cultural ties that facilitate mutual understanding.
Over 200 enterprises from Italy came to Tirana three weeks ago to attend the business forum Albania – Italy with the aim of expanding and building new bridges of bilateral cooperation.
In an interview with ATA, director of Italian Commerce Agency (ICA) says that the mission of entrepreneurship in Tirana has played a crucial role in deepening the trade and investment opportunities on Albanian market in the light of a public-private partnership.
Participants, such as enterprises and business associations, received information on economy and business climate in Albania, perspectives, general and sectoral development strategies on mid and long-term strategies, she said.
This information, according to Scelsa, came thanks to cooperation and engagement of the relevant administration as well as the panel presentations by entrepreneurship on sectors such as: infrastructure, energy and environment, agriculture and food processing.
“Italian companies consider Albania as a privileged partner not only for geographic proximity but also for historical and cultural ties that facilitate mutual understanding. We are the first trading partner and absorb over 50% of Albanian exports. Our trading exchanges have steadily consolidated over the last 20 years, with a double digit growth which in 2017 has seen imports of Albanian products to Italy (+ 14.3% in November on an annual basis) and Italian exports towards Albania (+ 8.9%, according to director of Italian Commerce Agency.
She pointed out that many Italian companies have invested in the country and will continue to do so, as evidenced by the direct investment stock which has seen an increase of EUR 604.4 mln in 2016, according to BoA records.
These results are mainly attributed to the steps forward made by Albania in sectors of vital importance for development and trust of Italian enterprises in potentials of the country. Yet, there is room for improvement of business climate, especially in the field of transparency, juridical security, rule of law, administrative practice, customs procedures and permits.
The most enticing sectors are of course those in which Italy has great expertise. Sectors where our companies are well positioned in the international value chain and develop synergies with regional partners such as: mechanics, construction and infrastructure, agri-food, renewable energies and green tech, textiles, chemical sector. In these areas we have reached very high technological levels and good practices to share in coping with the world market, she says.
Regarding the climate of doing business, director of ICA said that tangible progress has been made, yet justice reform is the starting point in the system’s trustworthiness and sustainability.
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