Shqip
English
The meeting with the Ambassadors of the Republic of Albania in the World "Redefining Albanian Economic Diplomacy: Challenges and Opportunities" concluded the proceedings of the second day. The proceedings were opened with the greeting of the President of the Republic, Mr. Ilir Meta.
He stressed the role of foreign policy consolidation as a factor of stability in the region. President Meta focused inter alia on the role of the new and old diaspora in relation to investments in Albania and attracting foreign investors to our country. He underlined that "Albanians abroad have equally large potential as the Albanians inside, because unfortunately the most vital and qualified part of our society today is abroad. Hence, a better relation with them would positively influence the country's promotion abroad to foster foreign investment.
At today's meeting, the discussion panels focused on presenting the engagements and reforms undertaken by the Albanian government for legislative changes and new approach to co-ordination of work with business and shaping the international image of Albania. In this context, Minister of Economy and Finance, Arben Ahmetaj, said that it is important to move to a new phase of economic diplomacy, which is related to the promotion of Albania for the benefit of as many foreign investors as possible. According to him, statistics show that foreign investments have reached the value of 1.1 billion euros.
Further, Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Damian Gjiknuri said that our country has great potential in the energy and mining sector. Major works are being built in the energy sector and others are in development. It should be important to absorb investment in the gas field based also on the impact that the TAP project had on the Albanian economy.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Niko Peleshi in his address emphasized the promotion of the potential that our country offers, especially the agriculture sector, which covers 30% of the country's GDP.
Panelists also discussed exchanging information between embassies and institutions to enhance the lobbying role, so that the results are tangible. The reshuffle of economic diplomacy requires a reorganization to have positive results and the definition of priorities should be in the long run.
Minister of Tourism and Environment, Blendi Klosi, pointed to the need to build internal policies to absorb investment in tourism. He, also highlighted that tourism should become a manufacturing industry for our country.
Minister of State on Entrepreneurship, Sonila Qato, spoke of foreign investors operating in a business environment, following concrete government initiatives to streamline legal procedures for business development in Albania. She also underscored that part of the work of the representatives, should be the attraction of Albanian investors or Albanian businesses, which operate in countries outside Albania. These countries can contribute with their experience and capacities.
Today, Albanian ambassadors in the world, have also been able to get acquainted with the way of developing economic diplomacy in developed countries such as Sweden and the Netherlands. They could also listen to the problems and positive experiences of large German and American investments in Albania.
The meeting with the Albanian Ambassadors in the world will be concluded tomorrow, in the presence of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
