TIRANA, Oct  18 /ATA/ Exports of textiles and footwear, which represent an important item of Albania’s foreign trade, continued to bounce back during the 9 month period January-September this year, accounting for 27% of the volume of exports.

The exports of this group were 9.3 billion ALL higher even compared to the nine months of 2019, which coincides with the pre-Covid period.

Referring to the data published by the Institute of Statistics, the exports of this group reached 99.5 billion ALL during the January-September period of this year, when in the nine months of 2021 they were estimated at 81.9 billion ALL. In the nine months of 2019, they were ALL 90.2 billion.

Experts say that the uncertainties caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine, the price of fuel, or the global energy crisis can slow down the pace.

The toll manufacturing industry has a specific weight in Albanian exports and in employment. This industry contributes 38% to total exports and employs 45% of the workforce.

Thanks to advantages such as the geographical position of the country, the legal framework up to EU standards, the low cost of transport and infrastructure, the workforce, ready to work in this sector, but also the investments of companies in machinery and equipment  in recent years there is an expansion of exports to new markets with some companies moving towards closed loop.

/sm/