Prime Minister Edi Rama started a two-day visit to the neighbouring country, Italy. The Prime Minister was welcomed in the region of Abruzzo by the Mayor and responded to media interest regarding his visit to the region. Of particular importance was the meeting that the Prime Minister had with entrepreneurs of the region. This meeting was held following the meetings with entrepreneurs of several regions of Italy to promote Albania’s potentials and favourable fiscal framework for investments.

Italy is the first trade partner of Albania and the main investor for the number of firms operating in the country, with companies active in various sectors of the economy such as energy, construction, infrastructure, textiles, shoes and agribusiness. The Prime Minister said that the interest of Italian business in Albania has increased recently, and a growing number of entrepreneurs come and see opportunities offered by Albania.

“Italian Entrepreneurs who come in Albania are attracted by the opportunities offered here and are tempted to come back and invest directly” – the Prime Minister said.

The implementation of economic reforms is the main commitment of the government, with EU integration as final goal. The government, the Prime Minister continued, has initiated an extensive process of structural and fiscal reforms that have created a positive and favourable climate for investments.

“We have undertaken a structural and economic reform process, which is the main commitment of our government. Of course, the integration of our country in the European Union is our priority objective, but we have also the strategic objective to revitalize the country’s economy and reinforce its the social aspect. For this reason we have taken some important legislative measures. Currently, we are discussing in Parliament the new law on strategic investments, the new law on tourism, a new law on public private partnership, to which we want to give a stronger emphasis. In addition, we have defined some free economic zones, as well as a number of important privatizations. On the other hand, our fiscal policy is closely linked with the objective to attract foreign investors and encourage our entrepreneurs. For instance, the profit tax amount in Albania is only 15%, which means that all enterprises pay 15% regardless of how much they earn. So, we do not have a progressive taxation, as here in Italy. This 15% is the only tax on entrepreneurship” – the Prime Minister said.

During an open and intensive conversation with entrepreneurs of the region, Prime Minister Rama invited them to visit Albania. In response to their interest, the Prime Minister invited them to come and see up close the opportunities for investment in renewable energy, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, the mining sector and ICT sector, which are areas with high development potential in our country.

 

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During his visit in Abruzzo, Prime Minister Edi Rama met with the highest state authorities of this region. The meeting was opened by the President of the region of Abruzzo. At the meeting, ideas were exchanged on the possibilities and spaces for a more active cooperation. The Prime Minister noted that Albania and Italy can deepen cooperation ranging from energy to agriculture. Energy, the Prime Minister continued, receives a major attention from the Albanian government, whose approach to the Trans Adriatic pipeline represents a strategic project.

“The Macroregion is a strategic idea for this entire area, in addition to being an alternative idea. We are part of the major energy project, the Trans Adriatic pipeline, which is a strategic project for us, for Italy and obviously, even beyond. We believe a lot in this project, which is made even clearer in the new geopolitical context, especially after Russia’s decision to cancel the SouthStream pipeline. TAP is a project fully in line with the EU and EC directives on Energy. We strongly support it as a project for peace and security”- the Prime Minister said.

At energy level, another project of high interest to the Western Balkans and Albania is the Adriatic-Ionian project.

“We have engaged in the Adriatic-Ionian project with the same will, as part of the big TAP project. This project is important not only for Albania, but also for Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and perhaps even for Serbia- the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Rama noted that the partnership between the two countries must be founded on a strategic plan. This goal will be served by the First Intergovernmental Summit to be held soon.

“Given the strategic partnership between our two countries, our preferential and exclusive relations, as well as the need to take cooperation between us at an even higher level, our intention is to hold soon the first Intergovernmental Summit, to identify altogether this major strategic plan. On the other hand, I am here today, full of hope and determined to deepen cooperation with the entrepreneurs of the region. For us, the Italian enterprise has a strategic importance for many reasons, not just for its geographic proximity, but also for its cultural proximity”- the Prime Minister said.

The Protocol on Cooperation for Development between the two countries for 2014-2016, worth more than 80 million Euros, is the best indicator of the excellent relations and the ongoing Italian commitment in Albania.