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A delegation from Macedonian Chambers of Commerce attended the third Albanian – Macedonian Business and Investment Forum in Tirana, Albania. The purpose of the forum, which was also part of the Economic Mission, was to create concrete opportunities for an increased business cooperation and direct confrontation with the specific matters that affect the conditions for doing business between the two countries.
The forum was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia in the Republic of Albania H.E. Mr. Stojan Karajanov, the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania in Macedonia H.E. Mr. Fatos Reka, the Minister of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Albania Mrs. Milva Ekonomi, and the Presidents of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Albania, the Chamber of Commerce of Tirana, the Executive Director of Macedonian Chambers of Commerce, the President of the Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia, and companies from Macedonia and Albania.
The Executive Director of Macedonian Chambers of Commerce, Mr. Mitko Aleksov, rendered a speech.
On the Forum, direct B2B meetings with companies members of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Albania and Chamber of Tirana were held, whose focus was to discuss the opportunities for potential future cooperation between companies from Macedonia and companies from Albania in different sectors such as: tourism, trade and services, agribusiness, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, financial sector and the production of construction materials.
During the official visit, meetings with the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama, the Mayor of Tirana Mr. Erion Veliaj, the Ministers of agriculture, rural development and water resources, economic development, tourism, trade and entrepreneurship, finance, and Deputy Ministers of transport and infrastructure and energy industries, were also held.
Meetings with the President of the Assembly of Albania, Mr. Ilir Meta, were also held.
The meetings focused on specific challenges that affect the trade between the two countries, such as lack of analysis and information on the business environment and investment conditions. Furthermore, possibilities for improvement of several sectors that will impact on increasing trade exchange between Macedonia and Albania, such as improving production technology in agriculture that will contribute to increasing the competitiveness of agriculture and food products, were also discussed In addition; possibilities for cooperation in the field of energy and mining were also presented. An emphasis was also placed on tourism and harmonization of standards for categorization of tourist and catering facilities in Macedonia and Albania, given the similarity of the natural beauties in both countries, and to the preparation of a mutual tour which will attract tourists.
The Economic Mission in Albania was realized with the support of Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion of the Republic of Macedonia and the economic promoter of Albania and Kosovo Mr. Fatos Mustafa.
March 18, 2016
