TIRANA, November 8 /ATA/- The increase of the export of fish to European Union countries in recent years has increased employment and investment in the fish processing industry.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that the number of employees in the fishing industry reached to about 8,500 people this year as compared with 2,200 in 2013.
Director of Vlora Extension Directorate Adilau Kojdheli told ATA that the export of fish from Vlora to European Union countries, such as Belgium, Italy, Norway and Finland has increased to 1,600 tons of fish only during the 10-month period 2019.
Bass fish is among the top of the export list from Albania.
In 2018, fish exports increased by 25% and investments in the fish industry reached more than € 39 million.
The government fiscal support (VAT exemptions for fuel, fishing gear, subsidies for fishermen, etc.) consists of incentives for the development of this sector, which goes along with EU certification.
“The companies operating in this sector already enjoy international business certificates,” said Kojdheli to ATA.
According to him, the potentials are even greater because the fleet for fishing sardines and anchovies is increasing; two products already processed directly domestically and exported to Europe’s supermarket chains. These products were treated before as re-exports as fish was imported from abroad, processed in our country and then returned to foreign markets.
While frozen shrimp and squid are two other products that carry the “made in Albania” stamp./e.xh/ /a.g/p.s./
