This is the message from the Albanian government to emigrants living and working in Greece, encouraging them to reconnect with their homeland and explore new opportunities in the country they left decades ago.

The first-ever Job Fair opened today in Athens, featuring the participation of hundreds of Albanian companies from various sectors. Many of these companies are leaders in investment, employment agencies, business chambers, IT entrepreneurs, and innovators. They will present job opportunities and explain the benefits available to fellow Albanians.

Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the fair, visiting nearly all the booths, meeting with company representatives, and inquiring about details regarding offered salaries, available job positions, and future business prospects.

“This is where we’ve gathered all the Albanian companies presenting their offers. We have companies from hospitality and tourism, agriculture, construction, infrastructure, and even Rinas Airport. Each of them is equipped with contracts,” explained Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku.

“All the offers related to tourism and hotels are here. We have over 40 participants from both inland and coastal regions. They’ve come with contracts, offers, and direct salary proposals,” said Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro.

Meanwhile, various entrepreneurs shared the opportunities they offer in their companies:

“We are an olive oil company. We’ve come with a comprehensive offer for the workforce. We really need manpower. This year, we could have processed 20% more olive products, but due to a lack of workers, the olives were left unpicked, and we faced higher costs. We’ve raised the salaries,” said the company’s manager. Another entrepreneur added that the salaries offered are even higher than those in Greece.

“The same applies to the winery. We desperately need people. I believe the salaries we offer are better than here. Of course, it’s hard work because the vineyards are on terraces and hills. But the salaries are better here because workers are in their own homes,” he explained.

The Prime Minister visited the booth of one of Albania’s successful agricultural companies, which offers competitive salaries and had already received the first applications from interested candidates.

“It’s one of the companies we take pride in. We just finished an exhibition in Germany focused on organic plants, and the company is processing the products. They’ve already received the first job applications today,” said Minister of Agriculture, Anila Denaj.

Farmers’ salaries range from 1,500 to 2,000 euros annually, as it’s seasonal work. “Our role is to provide farmers with a broader range of guidance on what they should do,” explained one entrepreneur.

Prime Minister Rama mentioned that more fairs will be held in the future: “The idea is to have a spring fair, an autumn fair in Greece, and then we’ll also organize one in Italy. Now that we’re confident that, in terms of salaries, we’re doing better than here, I believe that in a year and a half or two, we’ll be at the same level as Italy.”

The Job Fair, open throughout the day until the early evening, is organized into panels dedicated to various sectors, including: Construction and Transport; Teachers for Albania; Economy, Employment & Family; Hospitality & Tourism; Agriculture and Rural Development; Municipalities, Investments & Employment. Each panel will be led by the respective ministers: Belinda Balluku, Ogerta Manastirliu, Blendi Gonxhja, Mirela Kumbaro, Anila Denaj, and Arbjan Mazniku.