During the visit, Salla noted that the investment shows how public funding helps rural businesses grow, boost production and add value to the food sector.

According to the minister, funding for the new guesthouse and livestock stable has boosted production, created local jobs, and strengthened ties with nearby farmers.

Because of this success, Salla invited local farmers and business owners to join the “Double Your Entrepreneurship” program, which makes it easier to get loans and invest in agriculture.

“This program gives everyone a real chance to grow their work, process more goods and build value across the entire food chain,” Salla said.

The minister stressed that the government will continue to support investments that link agriculture with agro-processing and agro-tourism, with the aim of developing the rural economy and increasing the competitiveness of Albanian products in the market. /e.xh/j.p/p.s./

In a post on the social media after visiting a local polystyrene manufacturer in the village of Kolonje, Lushnja Municipality, Balluku noted that private sector was the backbone of the country’s economy.

“Since 1993, upon his return home from emigration, Shkëlqim Ferko founded his own polystyrene processing and production company, now a consolidated exporting company with around 70 employees,” Balluku wrote.

“I visited this entrepreneurship that keeps expanding also thanks to investment in modern equipment, as well as in human resources, as an irreplaceable capital” the Deputy PM Balluku added.

She voiced government support for business and the private sector.

“We will stand by every investor that employs and contributes to the country’s economy,” Balluku concluded.

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Through support schemes, Albanian Agency for Agriculture and Rural Development has encouraged the further development of agricultural enterprises in this region.

Thanks to the IPARD II program, there are 118 enterprises with European standards in the region of Fier, which contribute to different production sectors.

These investments include the construction of livestock stables and enterprises for milk processing, the construction of greenhouses of various models, the expansion of vineyard areas, the development of agricultural mechanics, investments in slaughterhouses, the construction of collection points and processing lines, but also investments in agri-tourism.

New enterprises have increased the quality and yield of production, contributing significantly to the creation of new jobs and the rural economy. /gj.m/p.s./

According to statistics provided by the Institute of Statistics INSTAT, enterprises with 50 or more employees realize 46.5% of the total annual turnover.

Out of about 118 thousand active enterprises that were registered at the end of last year, 1,959 enterprises report 50 and more employees.

Of these, about 709 enterprises operate in the goods production sector, which includes industry, agriculture and construction.

While 1250 companies operate in the service manufacturing sector, which includes trade, transport and storage, accommodation and food service as well as information and communication.

The total number of employees in active enterprises at the end of 2021 is 700,763, of which 320,371 are female employees. /a.a/p.s./