TIRANA, June 11/ATA/ In context of the “Open Balkan” initiative, Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia have more opportunities to increase trade volume among them.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Frida Krifca said that, “Albanian agricultural exports to Serbia have increased in value by about 100.17% during the first 5 months of the current year, if compared with the same period last year, when we did not have these facilities offered by the “Open Balkan”. While agricultural exports “Made in Albania” to North Macedonia increased by 30% during the same period.”
“In total, there has been an increase in trade volume between the 3 countries from 53.4 million Euros to 79 million Euros, during the first 5 months of 2022 if compared to 2021”, said Krifca for ATA.
According to her, the increase of Albanian agricultural exports with the countries of the “Open Balkan” is in line with the total increase of our agricultural production during the first 5 months of the current year.
“If compared with the first 5 months of 2021, Albania has exported 41 million Euros more in the first 5 months of 2022. The government is supporting the farmers with direct subsidies, promoting the growth of domestic production. The sector has experienced an increase in the number of collection points to 178, which are an effective support for the growing trend and development that characterizes present-day agriculture”, said the minister.
Speaking about the “Open Balkan” agreement and other effects that this agreement has on Albanian agriculture, Krifca said that, “They are reciprocal agreements between the three countries, which are part of the” Open Balkan” and ensure consumer protection in the respective countries from the spread of plant and animal diseases, by recognizing the phyto-sanitary certificates of each country, by recognizing the laboratories or tests that lead to the reduction of costs and staying at the border crossing points as well as the promotion of trade ”. /j.p/p.s./
