The minister participated in the round table on the topic “Return to agriculture, innovation and south working, the digital revolution and the competitive development of the authentic and distinctive Mediterranean.”

In her remarks, Krifca highlighted the commercial partnership with the Italian state, within which olive oil exports in the first five months of this year marked a significant increase.

“In Italy, in the last five months we have exported five times more than in the same period last year. In addition to olive oil, we export wine, tomatoes, vegetables, fish, fruit, mineral water, etc. A few years ago we exported only a little more than 100 million euros of agricultural goods. Last year we exported 500 million euros and we are on the right way to break the barrier of agricultural exports of 1 billion euros in a few years,” Krifca said.

Minister Krifca also focused on the creation of a joint Italian-Albanian brand in the field of wine, olive oil or other food products. According to Minister Krifca, the areas inhabited by Arberesh community are the areas that should jumpstart these joint investments.

“We have set the sights on learning from the excellence and knowhow that have made Italy a world leader in the food industry and implement them in Albania as well.”
In this regard, the minister informed that, thanks to the financing of 22 million euros from Italy, a project that will completely repair the food safety laboratories is set to get underway soon. “Furthermore, the projects will enable the construction of several modern laboratories at border control points, paving the way for total compliance with EU security standards,” she added.

The mayor of Berat, Ervin Demo, who was in attendance of the meeting said that the upcoming summer festival in Berat, in October, will feature Arberesh days for the first time. In this event, all participants will be introduced to the Arberesh products of the Kalabria and Basilicata area.

Minister Krifca together with the mayor of Berat, Demo were received in a special meeting by the Bishop of Rossano Cariati, Mons. Maurizio Aloise as well as senior representatives of the authorities of the Municipality of Corigliano Rossano and Altamores, and the Arberesh business community.
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