Addressing the Parliament, Balla highlighted the construction of 44 new schools in Durrës, dismissing opposition complaints as focused on isolated cases rather than the broader success.

He highlighted the Spitalla development as a success story, where 570 families benefited from new housing units.

Highlighting the speed of recovery, the socialist MP noted that over 90% of reconstruction was completed in just seven years, contrasting sharply with L’Aquila, Italy, where only 70% of housing was rebuilt after 17 years.

Balla emphasized energy sector investments—notably new substations in Shëngjin, Shkodra and Fushë-Kruja—designed to modernize the electricity network.

Ultimately, he urged opposition support for the agreement, highlighting its benefits to the public over political disputes. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

The National Agency for Protected Areas shared today in the social media footage from the flamingo being released back into the “Divjaka-Karavasta” National Park.

“Wonderful images from the staff of Fier Protected Areas Agency Administration, in which the recovered flamingo was released back into its natural habitat,” is read in the agency post.

Following the alerts received last week about an injured flamingo found in Lushnja, the staff of Fier Protected Areas Administration went immediately to help the bird. The flamingo was transported to the Bird Rehabilitation Center in the “Divjaka-Karavasta” National Park, the only one of its kind in Albania where there are treated sick or injured birds. /k.s/a.f/p.s./

Referring to the data published by the Institute of Statistics, the exports of this group reached 11.3 billion ALL during January 2023, while in January 2022 they were estimated at 10 billion ALL.

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 façon 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 with EU standards, the low cost of transport and infrastructure, the workforce, ready to work in this sector, but also the high investments of companies in machinery and equipment, in recent years we have expanded exports to new markets and some companies are moving towards complete closure of the cycle. /p.s./

Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro said that this ranking shows the recovery of the tourism sector in terms of international flows during the first 5 months of 2022.

Albania has made an improvement of +11% as compared with 2019.

“Good morning with the good news of the World Tourism Organization, which ranks Albania fourth in the world for the recovery of the tourism sector in terms of international flows during the first 5 months of 2022”, wrote Kumbaro in a post on the social networks./p.s./

Exports of this group were higher compared to the first quarter of 2019, which coincides with the period before the pandemic.

Referring to the data provided by the Institute of Statistics, the exports of this group reached the amount of 32.4 billion Lekë during January-March period of the current year, when in the same quarter of 2021 they were estimated at 27.2 billion Lekë. While in the first quarter of 2019, these exports amounted to 30.9 billion Lekë.

The façon industry takes a specific share in Albanian exports and employment. This industry contributes 38% to the total exports and employs 45% of the workforce.

Thanks to advantages such as the geographical position of the country, the legal framework with EU standards, low cost of transport and infrastructure, labor force willing to work in this sector, but also high investments of companies in machinery and equipment, the exports to new markets are expanded and some companies are heading towards full cycle of production. /j.p/p.s./

Albanian economy went through two major blows, namely the devastating earthquake in November 2019 and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which were reflected in the country’s economic performance in 2020, the economy experienced quick and strong recovery in 2021.

Based on information and indirect data of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Albania’s economy is expected to grow by 8.6% in 2021.

In a press conference on Wednesday, the Minister of Finance and Economy, Delina Ibrahimaj announced that all sectors of the economy have recorded significant growth during 2021.

The government says further improving the economic basis and business climate is a challenge that continues at this phase of its economic program.

/a.a/u.sh/

But, the exports were still lower, compared to the 9-month period of 2019, which coincides with the period before the pandemic. The exporters operating in the industry say the sector is still facing a shortage of new orders as a result of the creation of stocks during quarantine.

Referring to the data published by the Institute of Statistics, the exports of this group reached 82 billion Lekë during the period January-September of this year, when in the first 9 months of 2019 they were estimated at over 90 billion Lekë. While during the 9 months of 2020 the exports of textiles and shoes were 75.2 billion Lekë.

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

Thanks to advantages such as the geographical position of the country, the legal framework with EU standards, low cost of transport and infrastructure, manpower, willing to work in this sector, but also high investments of companies in machinery and equipment, in recent years we have expanded exports to new markets and some companies are heading towards full cycle. /j.p/p.s./

Attending the meeting was Governor of the Bank of Albania Gent Sejko.

Ibrahimaj said that the meeting focused on the rapid recovery of the country during 2021 and the all-embracing and green economic growth in the future.

“We appreciated that irrespective of the quake and pandemic impact, the indicators of the Albanian economy like employment, balance of payment, financial sector and public finances have performed relatively well”, said Ibrahimaj.

Ibrahimaj expressed grateful thanks to the WB for the support to Albania especially for the agenda of reforms focused on fiscal stability and a good environment for doing business./p.s./

At the joint press conference, at the conclusion of Article IV consultations, with the Head of Mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Albania, Yan Sun, the Minister of Finance and Economy Delina Ibrahimaj, the Governor of the BoA, Sejko said that, “measures taken by the government and the Bank of Albania reduced the financial burden on households and businesses, curbed unemployment and created opportunities for economic recovery, following the unusual circumstances related to the pandemic.”

“The BoA will work on further development of the financial system and improvement of the payment system according to EU standards, “ Sejko said.

“Structural reforms undertaken by the BoA have supported a greater use of the Albanian lek in transactions, reduction of the non-performing loans, and strengthening ofthe banking system,” the Governor Sejko said, while emphasizing that the banking sector in the country is liquid and ready to support the low-cost economy with money.

Focusing on price increase in the domestic market, Sejko noted that, rising inflation come due to imports and is transient.

“Our projections for the economy are positive. Economic activity is expected to increase during the next year and it will be sustainable to generate and achieve the inflation target at 3% by 2022,” he said. //a.i/

During a debate show, Ahmetaj said that thanks to the reforms taken so far, today many Austrian, Northern Europe, French, Greek, Turkish, German companies are operating in the domestic market, in various sectors, mainly energy, infrastructure, banking system and telecommunications sectors.

“Foreign companies choose to operate in our country because they believe in today’s Albania and in tomorrow’s Albania that is being reformed day by day,” Minister Ahmetaj said.

Mimnister Ahmetaj also stressed that, one of the main sectors affecting the rapid recovery of the economy is tourism.

According to him, the number of foreign tourists reached about 6.3 million at the end of 2019 and thanks to mass vaccination of population, tourism industry is expected to recover quickly. Tour operators said bookings for travel packages have increased by about 30%.

Meanwhile, touching on the reconstruction process, Minister Ahmetaj said that, 524 apartments in Lac will be ready in August, The whole reconstruction process will be closed in 2022. //a.i/