EME and Italfashion are two Italian companies that produce for the foreign market, even for major fashion brands in Europe. Their business is in the same building where 300 women have been employed. But even Italian investors could not avoid the absurd that has accompanied the Albanian transition, as part of the building where their business is located was an informal construction. Prime Minister Edi Rama visited this business and also submitted the legalization permit.

The owner of the building explained that he built the informal addition to the building driven by the investors’ desire to expand business. I started this construction in 2004. I had a construction permit and an IPRO certificate for 70% of it. The Italian companies asked me to make an addition because they wanted to increase the number of employees.”

From 185 employees it has now, Italianfashion aims to reach 300 employees within a year. “We produce for Benetton, for the Max Mara group, which is internationally renowned, and we think we will grow very much here in Albania. We’ve been here since one and a half year now. We are 185 people, but our aim is to become 280-300 people within a year. We are very happy to be here.”

As he handed over the legalization permit, the Prime Minister noted that in addition to ending a situation of illegality, it transforms the building from an informal one into a capital. “This one is a pretty special building, for it is used for Benetton, for Max Mara. I told myself, oh my God, Benetton produces in an informal building in Albania. The moment you register the building, it becomes a capital as you can use it as a collateral, you can continue investing, and everything you do is regular.”

The owner said that without the legalization permit, the building remains just a building. “The permit is an added value”, he said.

With regard to the development of this sector in Albania, the Italian entrepreneurs said that they are happy with the progress of their investment in Albania. They highlighted the advantages of working in Albania, especially related to the workforce supply.

“We are extending at a fast peace. Our workforce in Albania is qualified, and we are very happy with the results we are having. We work hard with our staff, and we have a great trust in the people we have found here. We pay them twice the amount for the overtime”, one of the investors said, and added that salary goes up to 40 thousand ALL.

“Our aim is to gradually increase efficiency so that we can invest also for our staff. We are confident that we will succeed soon.”

In addition to the financial benefits and vocational training, the Prime Minister discussed with the investors also the social aspect as an important component in the investment. “I asked them to open a day care, and they assured me they will, provided that it should have a permit”, the Prime Minister told some of the young mothers employed in this company.