you have missunderstood the article...it says,that additionally to the ordinary budget of the albanian government,there is a budget-surplus/-overage(which will mostly be invested in infrastructure)...

ta shpjegoj shqip,se s'di ta tregoj mire ne anglisht:
kjo shume,per te cilen behet fjale,eshte sufiçiti i buxhetit te ketij gjashtemujorit te pare te vitit 2006(vjelur nga grumbullimi efiçent i taksave dhe tatimeve)...


eeeh. flm tani e kuptova. :D

The Greek cement company Titan S.A presented a 200 million dollar project for erecting a new cement factory in ALBANIA. The new factory will be able to produce 1.5 million tons of cement a year.

Çimentoja, prezantohet projekti 200 milionë dollarë

F. P

TIRANË- Përfaqësues të një kompanie të njohur kanë prezantuar projektin e ngritjes së një fabrike të prodhimit të çimentos në Shqipëri. Në një takim që kanë pasur me kryeministrin e vendit, përfaqësues të kompanisë “Titan”, kanë prezantuar projektin e tyre, ku parashikohet të investohen rreth 200 milionë dollarë. Projekti synon ndërtimin e një fabrike me kapacitet 3 mijë e 500 tonë në ditë. Sipas përfaqësuesve të “Titan”, fabrika do të ketë kapacitet prodhues prej rreth 1,5 milionë tonë çimento në vit. Projekti ka ardhur pas të dhënave të marra në tregun shqiptar, i cili aktualisht importon më shume se 75 për qind të sasisë totale vjetore të konsumit të çimentos dhe klinkerit. “Vlera totale e projektit parashikohet të jetë rreth 200 milionë dollarë dhe do të financohet nga Grupi Titan, ndërkohë që Korporata Financiare Ndërkombëtare (IFC) dhe Banka Evropiane për Rindërtim dhe Zhvillim (BERZH) kanë shprehur interesin e tyre për të marrë pjesë në projekt”, - kanë bërë të ditur përfaqësues të “Titan”. Kryeministri Berisha është shprehur se qeveria mbështet dhe kërkon investime të huaja në vend, të cilat duhet të aplikojnë dhe funksionojnë sipas rregullave të përcaktuara dhe ligjeve në fuqi. “Titan” ka identifikuar zonat e përshtatshme potenciale të rezervave të gëlqerorëve dhe argjilave në Shqipëri, dhe ndërkohë ka aplikuar pranë Ministrisë së Ekonomisë, Tregtisë dhe Energjetikës për marrjen e lejes së kërkim-zbulimit në këto zona. Përveç kësaj, kjo kompani ka aplikuar për leje shfrytëzimi për zona të caktuara. Projekti në fjalë thjesht është prezantuar, pasi më pas do të jenë ministritë e linjës të cilat do të shqyrtojnë kërkesat dhe do të vlerësojnë investimin dhe projektin.
Source: Shekulli.com.al

This project follows an earlier (2001) 66 million euro investment in the Fush-Kruja and elbasan Cement factories by Seament Albania- financed by IFC.

More cement news: It is about a new cement factory in Shkoder. The value of the investment is about $160 million.

Spacelift Cement Group
eshte kompania qe do ndertoje fabriken e cimentos ne komunen e Mes-it ne rrethin e Shkodres.
Kjo fabrike do te kete nje teknollogji prodhimi moderne dhe kapaciteti i saj do te jete
1,2 milion ton ne vit.
Financimi Total i ketij investimi parashikohet te jete reth 160 milion USD.
Periudha e ndertimit te ketij objekti eshte 24 muaj.
Siperfaqja totale e objektit eshte 8 hektare.
Studimi i ndertimit te fabrikes ka filluar qe ne vitin 1997. Zona e komunes Mes u percaktua si zona ku lendet e para te prodhimit te cimentos kane karakteristikat e duhura. Ne kete zone eshte kariara e gurit gelqeror me rezerva gjeologjike te shfrytezueshme deri ne 50 vjet pune, po keshtu edhe rezervat e argjiles jane te konsiderueshme. Karriera e gurit gelqeror eshte prane fabrikes dhe do shfrytezohet e transportohet lenda e pare me ane te sistemit te transportiereve. Ndersa karera e argjiles eshte reth 2 km larg fabrikes transporti i saj do behet me kamiona industriale. Furnizimi me uje i fabrikes eshte i siguruar prej tre burimeve, nje burim eshte lumi i kirit, burimi i dyte eshte nje rezervuar qe ndodhet reth 2 km larg fabrikes dhe burimi i trete do te jete hapja e pusve te rinj mbasi zona eshte uje mbajtese. Fabrika do te furnizohet me energji elektrike nga dy burime; Se pari nga rrjeti energjitik i vendit nestacioni 110 kv rethi i Shkodres dhe se dyti do te kete nje sistem te fuqishem gjenerues energjie brenda ambjenteve te saj
From their website:http://www.scg.albic.net/index.html

According to Biznesi.com.al the Kakome resort (planned by Club MEd?) is approved. Unfortunately, I do not have an account in that website to present here the article. Club Med was interested to built a rsort in this area, however their attempts were blocked by a group of local citizens from Nivica who claimed the land legally belonged to them.

This is some good news.

The efficency of tax collection will only get better in the future, if the government continues its war against corruption.

If you collect 200 milion dollars more than your suppose to anually then you know things are getting better.

100 million for the first half, another 100 milion for the second half or even better equals to 200 milion dollars. The good thing about unexpected surplus is that the money does not have a destination yet, and usually is spent in things such as roads, hospitals, and such.

Tirana, 31 July, (AENews) – Government of Albania approved recently a draft-law to bank smoking in public areas like bars and restaurants, Prime Minister’s office announced. The law is intended to lower the number of smokers in a country that is known for one of the highest rate of smokers in Europe.

Current legislation forbids smoking in public offices, schools and hospitals but not in bars or restaurants. The new draft-law restricts fines up to 500 US dollars for the owner of the bar or restaurant.

The former government had “forgotten” this draft-law for several years, while last year anti-tobacco NGO’s had accused the tobaccos industry for corrupting the government.

Former Prime Minister, Fatos Nano, was known for his smoking habits. Meanwhile, the new Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, proclaiming himself a penitent smoker has approved an even harder draft-law to ban smoking.

Meanwhile, on a separate legislation last week, Albanian Parliament approved a hike of the excise duty for tobacco and coffee.

Albanian tobacco products imports are estimated at USD 47 million.

http://www.albanianeconomy.com/content/view/170/37/

Tirana. Albania’s Prime Minister Sali Berisha called on the members of the National Albanian-US Council to invest in Albania promising to sell them land for one US dollar per square meter, Macedonian newspaper Dnevnik reads today.
According to the media this means that the former owners of the land will be left empty handed as they will not receive anything from the denationalization which they were promised, the newspaper notes. At the meeting the Prime Minister promised that a law allowing the Albanians to vote at the next parliamentary elections from any part of the world would be adopted.
The members of the National Albanian-US Council are in Albania on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its founding, Dnevnik points out.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?catid=128&newsid=93710&ch=0

Holy fuc*k thats practically free land...it ain't right...but I want some of it !!!

berisha usually has some weird non-sense ideas.
He wants to change the world in one day.

The pyramid scheme was a smililar offer....maybe this is not at the same scale as the pyramid but it follows the same logic.

He's an idiot...but if he's selling land for 1 dollar a sq meter...I want a whole lot of it!!

He's an idiot...but if he's selling land for 1 dollar a sq meter...I want a whole lot of it!!
No offense, but you really must be an idiot to believe it.

Tirana. Albania’s Prime Minister Sali Berisha called on the members of the National Albanian-US Council to invest in Albania promising to sell them land for one US dollar per square meter, Macedonian newspaper Dnevnik reads today.
According to the media this means that the former owners of the land will be left empty handed as they will not receive anything from the denationalization which they were promised, the newspaper notes. At the meeting the Prime Minister promised that a law allowing the Albanians to vote at the next parliamentary elections from any part of the world would be adopted.
The members of the National Albanian-US Council are in Albania on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its founding, Dnevnik points out.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?catid=128&newsid=93710&ch=0

some people need to learn to read.

No offense, but you really must be an idiot to believe it.


Well obviously there is a condition behind it. Like the only way you can buy that is if you invest this amount of money and create this many jobs. It would make sense that way...Thats how some Canadian cities managed to stay alive in the early 1900's. There was bigger markets down south, and better infrastructure. One of Torontos early mayors started giving free land to investers and it payed back in the long run. However i dont think Albania should be that desperate for investment.

I dont know just my opinion.

some people need to learn to read.

Still hard to believe that they have the poiwer to get such a deal, or that Berisha for his own crooked reasons has the power to pass such a deal. By the looks of the newspaper, this does not seem as if you get to owe the land if you promise to invest a cetain amount (Liburni, that is how the Banka Kombetare Tregetare was sold I believe, 1$dollar as long as you promise to invest, and Tirana Interantional, 5 million $ and 18 million investment), it means that with local opposition: "this means that the former owners of the land will be left empty handed as they will not receive anything from the denationalization which they were promised"-- Berisha still decides to sell legally claimed land for a dollar. Now that is far-fetched even by our humble standards.

No offense, but you really must be an idiot to believe it.

Chill dude...maybe you havn't learned what sarcasm is yet...

***

Albania's GDP grew by over 5 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2006, according to data presented by Finance Minister Ridvan Bode on 1 August. The inflation rate stood at 2.4 per cent in the same period. Compared to the first half of 2005, general budget revenues were 13 per cent higher.

***

I also read from the same source that the poverty has been reduced from 22% down to 18.5%1!

www.balkantimes.com

ALBANIA: Conad Adriatico Opens First Supermarket in Country (Subscribers Only Content (http://www.kamcity.com/login/index.asp?accessdenied=%2Fnamnews%2Fasp%2Fnewsarticle%2Easp%3Fnewsid%3D28574))...

--
Photograph of Conad Adriatico
http://www.iig.be/images/conad03.jpg

ITALY: Supermarket Conad Adriatico plans €69.5m investment in 2005-2006
16 June 2005| Source: just-food.com

Italian supermarket chain Conad Adriatico, which operates in the regions of Marches, Abruzzo, Molise and Apulia, will invest €69.5m (US$83.8m) in 2005 and 2006 to develop its supermarket network, according to the news agency ANSA.

Conad Supermarket opened earlier this week at ETC

Conad Supermarket opened earlier this week at ETC

Great news. Is this the first western retailer to open stores in Albania.

Great news. Is this the first western retailer to open stores in Albania.

There's Euromax (www.euromax.com.al ) as well but that's i think Local.

Great news. Is this the first western retailer to open stores in Albania.

There's Euromax (www.euromax.com.al ) as well but that's i think Local.

Yeah. It's local and has only one location. I also checked out the website of the Italian chain and it looks pretty cool. I wish we could have something different than all the German retailers that entered the Bulgarian market. Carrefour is opening their first location next year, so that would be nice. They are French, but tell Conad that we need some Italian flavor also.

By the way, Euromax descriminates against women. You have to sue them if you want to make some money. Look below:

Job

EUROMAX wants to recruit



Financier



The candidate must:

 Have a diploma in Economy Faculty, Finance Degree

 Have 1-2 years of experience in this field

 Knows the finance 5

 Knows English

 Have the drive license for auto

 The boys have the priority



You will work in a modern environment and in the western conditions

^Sue them... in ALbania :) Good Luck!!

What pisses me off the most is their UNPROFFESIONALISM rather than the discrimination.

^Sue them... in ALbania :) Good Luck!!

What pisses me off the most is their UNPROFFESIONALISM rather than the discrimination.

Look at the end of the job posting, they say, that you will work in modern conditions and western environment. Bulgaria is not much different. It infuriates me when they give a brief description of somebody's business career and put at the end whether he/she is married with the number of kids. So stupid!!! As if single people can't the successful. Idiots! Letover from commi times.

By the way, Euromax descriminates against women. You have to sue them if you want to make some money. Look below:

Job

EUROMAX wants to recruit



Financier



The candidate must:

 Have a diploma in Economy Faculty, Finance Degree

 Have 1-2 years of experience in this field

 Knows the finance 5

 Knows English

 Have the drive license for auto

 The boys have the priority



You will work in a modern environment and in the western conditions

Don't be a loonie. I'm very familiar with them and there are more ladies then gents working in that company.

Its still very stupid to put that...even if they'r biased...just don't put that in the job application itself.

In Albanian at least its said a bit more politely...in English it seems ike a 6 year old wrote it. Very bad taste...

On other news today

The EBRD said it has extended an 8m-euro loan to an Albanian retailer, Euromax, to be used for the company's expansion and improvement of the services to local consumers. The bank also plans an equity investment that, together with the credit, will help Euromax launch new five large supermarkets in Albania's main cities.

Don't be a loonie. I'm very familiar with them and there are more ladies then gents working in that company.

I am not a loonie. The job posting is for a finacier and they prefer "boys". Check out their website yourself before you start insulting.

Here is a pic of QTU where Euromax is located (i took this picture in June)

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1697/qtudn8.png

Looks very American.

Albania's only island Sazan could be turned into an exclusive tourist resort in the near future if the government has its way.
Just read a very interesting article in the daily Koha Jonë which makes so much sense.
For those who dont know, Sazan Island has been government property ever since World War 2, they only allow military personel in the island.

From reading the article, the author explained how the island could become one of the most exclusive tourist destinations in Europe because it's located between 2 seas, the Adriatic and Ionian and has a strategic location, off the bay of Vlora.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g186/7tt_photos/sazani_vlore-albania.jpg

Looks very American.

No it's not.

It doesn't look American and the Architect is AUSTRIAN.

On other news today

The EBRD said it has extended an 8m-euro loan to an Albanian retailer, Euromax, to be used for the company's expansion and improvement of the services to local consumers. The bank also plans an equity investment that, together with the credit, will help Euromax launch new five large supermarkets in Albania's main cities.

Yes indeed, BERZH (EBRD) is becoming partner in Euromax and they are financing also the 10,000 Sq-m extansion of the QTU, which is currently in design phase by the Austrian architectural firm ATP.

I'm not so sure if the plan involves also the Electronic & Home Appliances super store NEPTUN SHOPS.

For your information NEPTUN branded shops operates also in SKOPJE, BELGRADE & NIS. There might be also an Euromax in Belgrade in a couple of years as well ;)

Energy sector looks promissing in the future.
Vlora's TEC as it was mentioned in the news should start construction in a matter of weeks.
Of course the big headline of the year was the 1.9 billion dollar plant of Fier.

Also, 2 additional hydropower plants will be constructed in Librazhd and Skavice.
Total cost of both these plants is estimated at 800 million dollars:yes:

Skopje. Macedonian citizens will be able to travel visa-free to Albania as of September, when a decision, adopted by the Albanian government on Thursday comes into effect, the Macedonian TV channel Kanal 5 reported.
Macedonians going to Albania will have to pay administrative fee amounting to approx. EUR 10, which us the equivalent of the current visa fee.

Albania's only island Sazan could be turned into an exclusive tourist resort in the near future if the government has its way.
Just read a very interesting article in the daily Koha Jonë which makes so much sense.
For those who dont know, Sazan Island has been government property ever since World War 2, they only allow military personel in the island.

From reading the article, the author explained how the island could become one of the most exclusive tourist destinations in Europe because it's located between 2 seas, the Adriatic and Ionian and has a strategic location, off the bay of Vlora.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g186/7tt_photos/sazani_vlore-albania.jpg

Not if the AMBOpipeline and terminal is constructed.

i thought the government was going to make them move or cancel it?

According, to the website of a constructing company, the terminal for the AMBO is so large, that it requires to connect the island of sazan with gadishullin (atje afer) to act as wave breaker.

wave breaker? do they plan on docking the large oil tankers directly on the dock? either way i thought the government would force AMBO to move?

The EBRD said it has extended an 8m-euro loan to an Albanian retailer, Euromax, to be used for the company's expansion and improvement of the services to local consumers. The bank also plans an equity investment that, together with the credit, will help Euromax launch new five large supermarkets in Albania's main cities.

wave breaker? do they plan on docking the large oil tankers directly on the dock? either way i thought the government would force AMBO to move?
This where I got my info. I also have a picture that I cannot post. It is among my saved pictures, do not know where online is. The website might be old though, but nevertheless, a port to allow 300.000 ton ships requires some major changes in landscape.

Science and technology: New software helps detect money laundering

Albania's five largest commercial banks have installed special software to help detect money laundering. It allows suspicious transactions to be verified in real time, thus reducing delays in the investigation of suspicious accounts. The finance ministry says it expects the software to be installed in all the country's banks by the end of the year.

wave breaker? do they plan on docking the large oil tankers directly on the dock? either way i thought the government would force AMBO to move?

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5620/vloraport1zcrn2.jpg

I got this map from Be-Alba-Construction. I believe it has been posted before on this forum by Illyricrum. judging by the changes that it requires on this landscape, and its mere size, I cannot imagine being moved too much. Add to this mix, which already includes 9 oil+gas industrial enterpises, a LNG re-gasification terminal. The gas would be transported to albania from Algeria in liquid form, in albania it will become again gas, and transported through a pipeline to Italy. Do not understand why not use a similar pipeline to Italy, though the LNG ships would probably require a dock as large as oil tankers. This LNG investment, by gthe way, came as a surpise to /Albania considering that in 2000 there were ideas about a very future pipeline connection between albania and a similar terminal in Greece (aspropyrgos i believe).

I am interested in real estate in Albania. Is it possible for a foreigner to purchase a property there? I read that big corporations are doing it. Does that apply to individual investors? There is plenty of information about development of Albania, but I was not successful in finding anything yet on real estate. Could anyone, please, point to web resources on this subject. I would appreciate very much your help.
Thank you in advance.

^^ Albania is much MORE expensive then Bulgaria.

Skopje. Macedonian citizens will be able to travel visa-free to Albania as of September, when a decision, adopted by the Albanian government on Thursday comes into effect, the Macedonian TV channel Kanal 5 reported.
Macedonians going to Albania will have to pay administrative fee amounting to approx. EUR 10, which us the equivalent of the current visa fee.

I don't know how this changes anything. Till now U'd get the visa on the border without any documents if U pay 10 EUR... so it remains the same...

it is beyond me why does Albania charge funny fees and drives away tourists with it, when it can earn much more from abolishing it and attracting more people to its coast.

it is beyond me why does Albania charge funny fees and drives away tourists with it, when it can earn much more from abolishing it and attracting more people to its coast.
AFAIK the border tax goes into the government budget while what tourist pay at the beach goes into private pockets. So I guess the government can get more money this way.

But it all depends on foreign relations though. Montenegrins, Czechs, and Poles, for example, can enter the country without a visa and without paying the 10 Euros border tax.

AFAIK the border tax goes into the government budget while what tourist pay at the beach goes into private pockets. So I guess the government can get more money this way.

But it all depends on foreign relations though. Montenegrins, Czechs, and Poles, for example, can enter the country without a visa and without paying the 10 Euros border tax.

I disagree. The more tourists Albania attracts they will stay there, pay tourist taxes, by consumer goods and services and again fill the governments pockets with much more than those 10EUR on the border. I actually think Alabnia is loosing more this way.

As for the foreign relations. It's Albania loosing not Macedonia. Albania has the potential and the ambitions to become a mainstream tourist destination and a 10EUR unneded rip off on the border just drives people away to other more common and established destinations like Greece or Croatia.

I just don't see the basis for such a tax.

I disagree. The more tourists Albania attracts they will stay there, pay tourist taxes, by consumer goods and services and again fill the governments pockets with much more than those 10EUR on the border. I actually think Alabnia is loosing more this way.

As for the foreign relations. It's Albania loosing not Macedonia. Albania has the potential and the ambitions to become a mainstream tourist destination and a 10EUR unneded rip off on the border just drives people away to other more common and established destinations like Greece or Croatia.

I just don't see the basis for such a tax.
I do know that many people feel ripped off when paying that tax. I personally don't like it either, since I have had to pay it myself back in 2002 (but now the Alb. citizens don't have to pay it anymore.).

I am by no means an expert on the matter, and my reasoning is just an hypothesis.

Generally speaking we get VERY little foreign tourists. And our infrastructure is completely under construction. Without a proper infrastructure one usually doesn't get many tourists. This tax money is direct government money which can be used to help develop the infrastructure.
Once this basic infrastructure is developed, tourism will increase. At that point, I believe, they will abolish the 10 Euro and rely on tourism incomes.

At the moment, it's like a highway toll.

I do know that many people feel ripped off when paying that tax. I personally don't like it either, since I have had to pay it myself back in 2002 (but now the Alb. citizens don't have to pay it anymore.).

I am by no means an expert on the matter, and my reasoning is just an hypothesis.

Generally speaking we get VERY little foreign tourists. And our infrastructure is completely under construction. Without a proper infrastructure one usually doesn't get many tourists. This tax money is direct government money which can be used to help develop the infrastructure.
Once this basic infrastructure is developed, tourism will increase. At that point, I believe, they will abolish the 10 Euro and rely on tourism incomes.

At the moment, it's like a highway toll.

I get Ur reasoning Genci but U should definately choose which countries to charge with this tax. I don't see a point on no having a tax for Poland and having it for Macedonia when the chances of Macedonians visiting Albania for tourist purposes are 100000000 times higher.

This year the Macedonian media have done lots of PR for Albania and broke lots of taboos about it as a touristic destination. Every 2-3 weeks there is a kick ass article about the Albanian coast dealing only with compliments. And people are getting really worked up for visiting it.

Having said that and considering that Bulgaria will impose visas to Macedonia (altough they will be free of charge but it is still annoying paperwork) I'm sure it's only in Albanias advantage to attract at least a fraction of the 500k Macedonians who visit the Bulgarian coast every year.

Macedonia is landlocked and one way or another we have a fixed numeber of people leaving the country every year mostely to the neighbouring seas for summer vacations. It doesn't really makee a difference to us where will we spend our money, it is up to Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Turkey, Montenegro and Croatia to convice us where to do that.

So IMHO with the 10EUR tax, it is Albania loosing. We got a saying here, "U can't see the forest because of one tree". I think that's what the Albanian goverment is doing (intentionally or unintentionally).

:cheers:

I am a canadian citizen and i didnt have to pay the TAX because i am Albanian by nationality. I dont even have an Albanian passport. :)

A little tip to foreigners visiting Albania.

DOnt go in the foreigners section unless your name/last name is something like Michael. Speak two words of Albanian and maybe you will avoid the 10 Euro Tax.

People whose name is something like Gjorgje Alekandr can pass as local.

^^ Yeah people with names like Mark, Tom, Daniel, David and a short surname can pass as locals.

But I don't recommend doing it though, as you might get in trouble. ;)

I get Ur reasoning Genci but U should definately choose which countries to charge with this tax. I don't see a point on no having a tax for Poland and having it for Macedonia when the chances of Macedonians visiting Albania for tourist purposes are 100000000 times higher.

This year the Macedonian media have done lots of PR for Albania and broke lots of taboos about it as a touristic destination. Every 2-3 weeks there is a kick ass article about the Albanian coast dealing only with compliments. And people are getting really worked up for visiting it.

Having said that and considering that Bulgaria will impose visas to Macedonia (altough they will be free of charge but it is still annoying paperwork) I'm sure it's only in Albanias advantage to attract at least a fraction of the 500k Macedonians who visit the Bulgarian coast every year.

Macedonia is landlocked and one way or another we have a fixed numeber of people leaving the country every year mostely to the neighbouring seas for summer vacations. It doesn't really makee a difference to us where will we spend our money, it is up to Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Turkey, Montenegro and Croatia to convice us where to do that.

So IMHO with the 10EUR tax, it is Albania loosing. We got a saying here, "U can't see the forest because of one tree". I think that's what the Albanian goverment is doing (intentionally or unintentionally).

:cheers:


It does make sense not to charge Macedonians, but for foreigners from further countries, 10EUro, though might give bad impression, will not a be a big deal. I think gov. must choose to either charge everybody including Albanians, and call it something of an infrastructure toll, or nobody. This way, tourists fill ripped off, and people who might be a car ride away might avoid Albania. Right now it makes no sense, however if everybody is included, the revenue would be considerable.

I am interested in Albanian Real Estate as a private investor.
I would appreciate sending me any information on this subject.
Thank you in advance.

Science and technology: New software helps detect money laundering
14/08/2006

Inquiries into suspicious transactions can be handled more quickly with the help of a software programme being introduced at Albanian banks.

The Savings Bank of Albania is one of the banks that will get the money laundering verification software. [Getty Images]


Albania's five largest commercial banks have installed special software to help detect money laundering. It allows suspicious transactions to be verified in real time, thus reducing delays in the investigation of suspicious accounts. The finance ministry says it expects the software to be installed in all the country's banks by the end of the year.

Albania's state-run oil and gas firm Albpetrol will take over the troubled oil research company Servkom. The merger aims at consolidating and strengthening the domestic oil industry, as well as boosting investments in the oil research field.

I get Ur reasoning Genci but U should definately choose which countries to charge with this tax. I don't see a point on no having a tax for Poland and having it for Macedonia when the chances of Macedonians visiting Albania for tourist purposes are 100000000 times higher.

This year the Macedonian media have done lots of PR for Albania and broke lots of taboos about it as a touristic destination. Every 2-3 weeks there is a kick ass article about the Albanian coast dealing only with compliments. And people are getting really worked up for visiting it.

Having said that and considering that Bulgaria will impose visas to Macedonia (altough they will be free of charge but it is still annoying paperwork) I'm sure it's only in Albanias advantage to attract at least a fraction of the 500k Macedonians who visit the Bulgarian coast every year.

Macedonia is landlocked and one way or another we have a fixed numeber of people leaving the country every year mostely to the neighbouring seas for summer vacations. It doesn't really makee a difference to us where will we spend our money, it is up to Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Turkey, Montenegro and Croatia to convice us where to do that.

So IMHO with the 10EUR tax, it is Albania loosing. We got a saying here, "U can't see the forest because of one tree". I think that's what the Albanian goverment is doing (intentionally or unintentionally).

:cheers:

I think Djurob is right. I understand the reasoning of imposing an entry fee to foreigners at the borders, but citizen's of neighbouring countries (MonteNegro, Serbia,Kosovo, Macedonia , Greece and even Italy) should be exluded from this tax. 10 Euro a person for a family of 4 or 5 are a whopping 40-50 Euros. We are sorrounded with countries which have fragile economy and even a small amount of money play's decision if they are going to travel for tuourism towards Albania. You cannot attract people like this. If you can bring people in they are going to spend money ( either gas, food, hotels etc). All this is a chain reaction. The governement can get those 10 Euro per person otherwise without charging neighbours at the borders.

Prime Minister Speech at the Council of Ministers Meeting Announcing “Albania 1 Euro” Initiative


21/8/2006
Prime Minister Speech at the Council of Ministers Meeting Announcing “Albania 1 Euro” Initiative


Today, we are announcing our government’s new initiative: “Albania 1 euro”. During our electoral campaign, we established that making Albania the most attractive place for foreign investors would be a major goal. We reaffirm that this objective is crucial for our country.

Transforming Albania into an appealing place for investors is a very difficult challenge, but not an impossible mission. We can only make it happen by thinking the unthinkable and imagining the unimaginable. This is the condition. We have to improve on other countries’ practices, otherwise why should we be more appealing than others?

Some of the conditions that drive us into this undertaking are fundamental, as are also the circumstances that urge for this initiative. Albania will be attractive only when it becomes the easiest and the cheapest at the same time. We must not delude ourselves. No other nation or country has a more desperate need for investments than Albania. If we look back at our modern history, we see that Albanians have suffered more illnesses, sufferings, deaths and immigration from poverty and misery than from wars. The harshest enemy to their identity have been misery and poverty.

Today, poverty sirens are sounding all over the country. More than any other nation, Albanians have lived in long era of poverty and misery. Attempts after the declaration of independence to build a system based on the values of free initiative were interrupted by the most inhuman and most totalitarian dictatorship Europe has known after the Second World War. This dictatorship turned more than 80 percent of Albanian citizens working in factories, farms and agricultural cooperatives, into the most miserable slaves and labourers of modern European and world history.

This dictatorship built three times more military bunkers than apartments at the same cost. It built hundreds of kilometres of tunnels but not a single kilometre of highway.

After the dictatorship, we went fort four years investing in the system of values of freedom, but they were interrupted after the ’97 riots. This rebellion substituted the system of values with a kleptocratic system. Albanians were thus once again a nation in misery, where billions were ripped from them in public property, taxes, and procurement money, which went in the private pockets of government officials.

If you look at the last World Bank corruption report for the years 2002-2005, you will see that due to these officials Albania topped the list for “capture” and corruption in the judiciary and customs. Referring to the latest reports on kleptocracy published by the State Department and the World Bank for 2004, we see that Albania is penalized by corruption more than any African country and the highest cost per capita from corruption than any other country. Such kleptocracy condemned the country to sink in deep misery.

Such reality makes it imperative our endeavour to take every effort to transform Albania in the cheapest and best country for investing. We have to turn into reality the slogan “Albania the most attractive place for foreign investments”. This is our challenge. This is the only way we can develop in our poor country the EU standards and achieve the European integration - Albania’s dream project of this century. This is the only way we can keep our energies and resources in the country, rather than letting them migrate for building other countries roads, farms and factories.

All ministers will review all their policies in the view “Albania, 1 euro” initiative. Of course, we are talking about the public property here. Private property is governed by free market rules and no other rule. The Ministry of Economy has been assigned the task of establishing the necessary criteria for adopting the initiative based on the investment, production and number of employers.

All the Ministers are encouraged to bring their respective proposals which, complimenting the fiscal revolution that has successfully started, will strengthen our efforts to transform Albania in the cheapest and the best country for both foreign and domestic investors.

We will be offering investors grounds with 1 euro. We will offer them training for their employers for 1 euro. We will offer them technological water for 1 euro. We will offer registration for their businesses for 1 euro. We will offer them entry to Albania for 1 euro.

I would like to once again emphasise that our challenging needs optimism and belief, it requires that we think the unthinkable, and imagine the unimaginable. But, I assure you that the great winners will be Albanian citizens.

The policies we have introduced so far have started to bear fruits. I have the pleasure to inform you that there is an increasing interest for investments, many of which are in the preparation phase. The interest will continue to increase, provided that we enforce the law.

“Albania, 1 euro” initiative will further boost the interest for investing in Albania. In addition, we will direct our diplomatic service towards efforts to attract investments. Our diplomats will be briefed and trained for this task.

Our challenge is enormous, but it equally appealing. I am very confident that we will succeed. We will rise to the challenge, thus rendering a great service to our country, rendering Albanians the opportunity to overcome their harshest enemies: the poverty and misery.

http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/images/2006/08/25/ERLISphoto.jpg

The US firm Lockheed Martin signed a deal on Tuesday (22 August) to build Albania's maritime surveillance system. Speaking to reporters, Defence Minister Fatmir Mediu said the new system would be instrumental in fighting terrorism and trafficking, as well as enhancing safety on the sea. The project is expected to be completed in four years.

The $17m agreement was firstly approved in 2005, by the socialist government of former Prime Minister Fatos Nano. The document was then modified and finally adopted by Sali Berisha's cabinet this month.

"This investment is in the framework of the programmes for increasing regional integration, and is part of the strategies of the Albanian Armed Forces to prevent possible negative phenomena in the coastal areas and the country's sea territory," the Council of Ministers said in a statement. Authorities are establishing a new structure that will deal with implementation of the contract.

Lockheed Martin also is undertaking the modernisation of Albania's air traffic management infrastructure, under a contract extension approved last year. The company already performed a rapid refurbishment of the decades-old infrastructure in time to handle air traffic during the 2004 Olympics in neighbouring Greece. The overhaul is part of the country's National Airspace Modernisation Project.

The renovations include a new air traffic control operations building, airport control tower, long-range radar, communications and navigation aids, and new air traffic automation computers and displays. The effort also includes additional training for controllers and engineers and other infrastructure modernisation.

Future work includes integration of the Skyline system with new communications, navigation and surveillance capabilities that will link the air traffic system to other airports in the region.

http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2006/08/25/feature-02

I think the "albania 1 euro" policy is a good idea.. hopefully it makes more foreign companies think of investing in the Albania attractive.. Afterall, goverments make profit from taxes from employees not companies.. The more employees the more revenue and lower unemployment rates.

The companies will meet Albania’s Minister of Economy Trade and Energy Gence Ruli affairs this week.
Hadas Manor 4 Sep 06 13:55
Paz Oil Company Ltd., Pazgaz Ltd., Clal Industries and Investments Ltd. (TASE: CII), Ashtrom Properties Ltd. (TASE:ASPR), Bateman Engineering NV (AIM:BTE) , Nesher Cement Enterprises Ltd, Tahal Group, Discount Investment Corporation (TASE: DISI), Tandu Technologies & Security Systems Ltd. and other Israeli companies want to expand their business in Albania, said Export Institute chairman David Arzi yesterday. He made the comment ahead of a meeting between the companies’ representatives and Albania’s Minister of Economy Trade and Energy Gence Ruli affairs this week. The representatives will also meet the head of Albania’s investment center, who will present government-backed priority infrastructure projects.

Exports Institute international projects manager Itzhak Rozen said infrastructure projects in Albania could reach hundreds of millions of dollars. He said there were many opportunities for Israeli companies in Albania in oil and gas, energy, communications, real estate, agriculture and agroindustry, and transport.

Estimates about possible expansion of infrastructure projects in Albania are belied by an 80% drop in Israeli industrial exports, excluding diamonds, in the first half of the year to $590,000. Most exports comprise plastic and rubber products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and refined oil products.

31 Israeli companies are currently active in Albania, mostly plastic sheeting and piping and refined oil products. The number of Israeli exporters to Albania is down 9% from 2004.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on September 4, 2006

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2006

http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000129517&fid=942

TIRANA, Albania (AFX) - Albania signed a $26.5 million (euro20.7 million) with Britain's MedOil PLC Monday for oil exploration rights in its Ionian and Adriatic Seas, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy said.

MedOil, a London-based oil and gas exploration company working mostly in the Mediterranean and North Africa region, will carry out exploration in three stages in the Ionian Sea from the Karaburun Peninsula to the southernmost town of Saranda, and in the Durres area in the Adriatic Sea, according to a statement.

The contract will be prolonged to 20 years if exploration comes out positive and a well has to be drilled.

The area was explored from 1992 by Australia's Hamilton Oil, but it left after three years having failed to find anything.

Albania produces about 350,000 tons of oil annually.



Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

http://www.lse.co.uk/FinanceNews.asp?shareprice=&ArticleRef=44466&ArticleHeadline=MedOil_to_explore_for_oil_in_Adriatic

04/09/2006

TIRANA, Albania -- Deputy Finance Minister Florion Mima announced on Sunday (3 September) the start of a nationwide operation to combat the grey economy. At a news conference, Mima said employers and self-employers would be scrutinised, in an effort to uncover violations regarding registration of employees and payment of social contributions. Companies would also be inspected for signs of tax evasion. (Albanian News - 04/09/06; Gazeta sot - 03/09/06)


also all public services workers wages have been rasied in the past few months to a minimum of 300.000 leke per month. ($314.12/244.63Euro)

^^ Thats some good news. :)

ups..

just a lil more elaboration on that oil drilling agreement:


MedOil signs Albania deal
Tue 05 Sep 2006

MDL - Medoil

Latest Prices
Name Price %
Medoil 16.75p +1.52%

FTSE AIM All-Share 1,054 +0.23%
Oil & Gas Producers 7,515 +0.26%

LONDON (SHARECAST) - Southern Europe and North Africa focused oil explorer MedOil has signed a petroleum sharing agreement (PSA) with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy in Albania, it said today.

The ‘Joni -5’ offshore permit is approximately 2,500 sq km, offshore southern Albania, extending to the northern boundary of Greece.

The PSA is for seven years with a drill-or-drop decision after the second and fifth years.

MedOil’s initial obligation is for 400 sq km of a 3-D seismic work programme in the first two year period with a minimum work expenditure of $2.05m.

The agreement will now be presented for ratification by the Council of Ministers, which the directors expect to take place in late October.

Chief executive David Thomas said, “We are pleased to have been awarded this highly prospective offshore permit, where three hydrocarbon plays are identified in the block, all with successful analogues in the Adriatic region.”

“A number of leads and prospects have already been mapped using the existing 2-D seismic data.”

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/images/2006/09/07/NEWSphoto.jpg
The European Parliament praised Albania's reforms on Wednesday, while cautioning that more must be done. [Getty Images]

07/09/2006

STRASBOURG, France -- The European Parliament (EP) on Wednesday (6 September) endorsed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Albania, a key step towards eventual EU membership. In a special resolution, the EP praised the reforms implemented so far and encouraged the transformation of Albania into a "pluralist democracy respecting the rule of law, with a functioning market economy".

At the same time, deputies stressed that Tirana has a lot more work to do, particularly with regard to electoral reforms, institutional and legal frameworks, and fighting corruption and organised crime. Albania and the EU signed the SAA in June, following three years of negotiations. (Albanian News - 07/09/06; EU website - 06/09/06)

08/09/2006

TIRANA, Albania -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) announced an initiative Thursday (7 September) to track the assets and finances of all senior state officials. DP parliamentary caucus chief Bamir Topi says it is in response to the opposition Socialist Party's (SP) accusations against DP leader and Prime Minister Sali Berisha, whom SP says hid his family assets. Later Thursday, SP spokesman Sajmir Tahiri welcomed the initiative but said the party will insist on forming a special inquiry commission in parliament to examine Berisha's holdings. (Albanian News - 08/09/06)

September 8, 2006

Albania's low-cost carrier Albatros Airways has been suspended in a streak of bad luck that has left passengers stranded.

"Solid facts show it lacks the capacity to manage the transport of passengers," Albania's Civil Aviation Director Gazmend Dibra told reporters this week after suspending flights.

He said unpaid debt of EUR447,412 (USD$565,000) was the reason for grounding Albatros. But the airline, which operates several flights a week to seven cities in Italy, says it is being victimized.

"Several hundred passengers have been re-routed to a competitor company, without so much as consulting us and in full disrespect of our existing passenger protection agreements," said Albatros president Aleksander Hoxha in an open letter.

Albatros was founded in 2004 and operates Fokker 100 aircraft.

(Reuters)

50.000 is the number of tourists from Kosovo that spend their summer vacation in Albania this year, an increase of 70% compared to last year's numbers:yes:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Turizmi, dyfishohet numri i kosovarëve që erdhën në Shqipëri

Bashkim Shala
Numri i pushuesve kosovarë që kanë hyrë në Shqipëri në gush është 70 për qind më i lartë se një vit më parë

Nga datë 1 deri me 20 gusht kanë kaluar në Shqipëri 52 mijë turistë nga Kosova, nga 37 720 persona që janë shënuar verën e vitit 2005

Kukës- Pushuesit nga Kosova që kanë hyrë në Shqipëri gjatë muajit gusht të këtij viti janë 70 për qind më shumë se ato që kanë hyrë në të njejtën periudhë kohore një vit më parë. Beqir Cena, shef i policisë kufitare në Kukës ka bërë të ditur se gjatë periudhës 1-20 gusht, kanë kaluar nga Kosova në Shqipëri përmes pikë-kalimit kufitar të Morinit, 52 mijë shtetas nga Kosova për qëllime turistike, ndër të cilët, 26 mijë prej tyre kanë kaluar në 10 ditëshin e parë të muajit gusht. Në të njejtën periudhë të vitit kaluar, kanë kaluar nga Kosova në Shqipëri 37.700 persona ose 70% më pak se këtë vit. Asfaltimi i rrugës Sopot-Qafë Morinë, dyfishimi i trageteve në Liqenin e Komanit si dhe forcimi i rendit e sigurisë në zonën e Tropojës janë arësyet e dhjetëfishimit të numrit të pushuesve që udhëtojnë nga Tropoja. Sipas policisë kufitare në Morin, arsye kryesore e rritjes së fluksit përmes Morinit, janë përmisimi i infrastrukturës në akset rrugore nga Morini në Tiranë, përshpejtimi i procedurave, rritja e nivelit të shërbimit në pikat doganore, elimini e ardhshme. Policia e Kukësit shprehet entuziaste për këtë sezon veror, ku sipas saj gjatë këtij sezoni nuk është shënuar asnjë incident.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060911/apfn_albania_greece.html?.v=1

Albanian Premier to Visit Greece
Monday September 11, 11:58 am ET

TIRANA, Albania (AP) -- Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said Monday he would make a two-day visit to neighboring Greece in an effort to boost political and economic ties and get the country's southern neighbor's support for integration efforts into the European Union and NATO.

Speaking to the governing Democratic Party parliamentary group, Berisha said that during his visit to Greece Sept. 12-13 he would talk with host Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, other top officials and businessmen "to intensify the already very good ties in all the spheres."

Topics of discussion would be more than 600,000 Albanian immigrants living in Greece, other joint interest topics, including asking for Greece's support in the tiny Balkan country's integration efforts into the European Union after signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement in June, the first step toward membership.

Albania is also expecting to be invited to become a full NATO member by 2008.

"I will invite investors of our friendly country to come and invest in Albania," said Berisha, who has initiated a project trying to attract foreign investors offering them cheap services, contracts and procedures.

Greece is Albania's second trading partner after Italy.

Last week the Albanian premier visited Turkey and Italy, "three friendly countries of special importance."

:yes:

Athens. Greece’s Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas and Albania’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy Genc Ruli signed in Athens today an important agreement in the sphere of energy, online edition of Greek newspaper Naftemporiki reads today. The document was signed in the presence of Greece’s Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and his Albanian counterpart Sali Berisha, who is visiting Greece as part of the Albanian delegation. According to Minister Sioufas the agreement is of key importance as it deals with issues related to electricity, petrol and natural gas.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n95792

Website of A1Tv or Business & Economy Tv
http://www.a1tv.com.al/
:cheers:

LandMark road Project starts in Vlora, Albania!

Klick here (http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2006/09/14/feature-03) to read the rest of the story.

i'm sorry i had to post this: LMAO
http://a1tv.com.al/foto/berisha%20karamalis.jpg

whats going on there guys?

:runaway:

i'm sorry i had to post this: LMAO
http://a1tv.com.al/foto/berisha%20karamalis.jpg

whats going on there guys?

:runaway:

the influence of the greeks on us, starting with our prime minister :nono: :laugh: lol im just kidding

Believe it or not our relations with Greece have been quite good these past 10 years with the exception of a few ultra nationalists who try to stir shit i think our current relations are the best they have ever been.
Papandreu is good freinds with Edi Rama, he was even present at the socialist congress back in June when i was in Tirana.

I know what our relations with greeks are like, i lived there two and half years, have had greek friends, have greek godparents although i have no trace of greek blood in me

the issue of albanians vs greeks in my opinion has started cause of the media rather than people. I've met plenty of greeks that i get along with and that can make fun of me, themslves and so on and still be cool with each other but i've also met greeks that made me wanna kill them within ten minutes of talkin to them

Politically, i wouldnt consider us "close" either though, relations may have imrpoved but they're not good yet

whoah way off tpoic guys. i posted a pic cause it was too funy plz talk about economics none of this other shit.

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/images/2006/09/18/SCITECHphoto.jpg
Wind power is one of the alternative energy sources discussed by Albanian scientists at a recent conference. [Getty Images

A Tirana conference focuses on boosting the use of renewable energy sources such as hydrogen, wind or solar power. Albanian scientists gathered at a conference in Tirana to consider the prospects for use of alternative energy resources such as wind, hydrogen, solar, water and biomass. The forum was organised by the Economy, Trade and Energy Ministry and the Co-PLAN Institute for Habitat development. The goal was to draw up policies supporting the use of renewable energy. Participants agreed that if the country efficiently uses its renewable energy resources it would no longer be dependent on electricity imports.

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2006/09/18/roundup-st-03

An IMF mission led by Istvan Szekely was in Tirana this week for talks with the Albanian government on the draft budget for 2007. At a joint news conference on Wednesday (13 September), Albanian Finance Minister Ridvan Bode said they agreed on GDP growth of 6% and annual inflation rate of 2% - 4% as targets for next year.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Germany has agreed to provide a 13.5m-euro loan to Albania. The funds will go towards modernising the water supply, sewerage and energy sectors, and towards sustainable economic development initiatives in Albania.

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2006/09/15/roundup-bs-04

21/09/2006

NEW YORK, United States -- US President George W. Bush met his with Albanian counterpart, Alfred Moisiu, during a roundtable discussion on democracy Tuesday (19 September), and praised the level of reforms under way in Albania's judicial sector. Bush hailed Moisiu's "courage" in defending judicial independence, a statement from the Albanian president's office said. In other news, new report by Defence Minister Fatmir Mediu suggests efforts to fight drug production significantly strengthened in recent months. According to official data, cultivation of narcotic plants was cut by 80%, while the amount of seized drugs tripled this year, in comparison to 2005. (Albanian News - 21/09/06; Albanian President website - 0/09/06)

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newssummary/#setimes/newsbriefs/2006/09/21/nb-01

China is ready to work with Albania to push for the bilateral friendly cooperative relations, said State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan Tuesday.

"China and Albania enjoy profound traditional friendship," Tang said in a meeting with visiting former Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta, noting that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the friendly ties with Albania.

China and Albania in recent years has achieved new progress in the development of bilateral relations, and expanded cooperation in various fields, Tang said.

"We are ready to work with Albania to push forward the bilateral relations, in line with the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit," Tang said.

Meta said he was "impressed" by what he had seen in China's social and economic development, and he himself would continue his efforts to further promote Albania-China relations.

Meta said Albania was committed to one-China policy, and this position was "very clear" and "unchangeable".

Meta was here as guest of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Xinhua

http://english.people.com.cn/200609/20/eng20060920_304293.html

In Duress, for the first time, Albanian and European communities compare their findings in the advanced child neurology research

Fifty years since its inception the Albanian Neuropediatrics Society becomes member of the ICNA (International Child Neurology Association) and is on its way to becoming a fully fledged member of the international scientific community for the accurate scientific level of the research conducted in the field of child neurology.

The XII Mediterranean Meeting of Child Neurology taking place in Duress from September 14 to 16, in collaboration with the Foundation Pierfranco and Luisa Mariani Onlus and the patronage of the Venice International School of Neurological Science, represents an important window of visibility for the Albanian scientific community which gives value to the considerable effort made by the Foundation to help drive the scientific advancement of a country that is in many ways still quite backward. The commitment towards Albania started to develop thanks to the interest shown by doctor Laura Mira and professor David Zerbi who, following an intensive collaboration effort with the city of Saranda, implemented a collaboration project with the University of Tirana enabling many Albanian neurologists to study in Italy as well as many international specialists to work in Albania. "We are very excited about the results we achieved", commented prof. Zerbi. "The Albanian scientific community proves it has risen to truly high levels and the entry in the ICNA ratifies the importance of the scientific research conducted in these academic institutions."

Among the many reports presented at the conference, the ones attracting greater interest are those dedicated to cerebral paralysis in the pre-term infant. However, the researchers' attention is also drawn to the great progresses made in the field of neurogenetic syndromes and epilepsy, areas in which the Albanian scientific community stands out for having started the first epidemiology research ever conducted in the country to evaluate the preponderance of epilepsy in the child based population. The research, coordinated by Professor Jera Kruja of the University of Tirana, has even greater importance when considering that for every disease, epidemiologic research is the basis enabling to shed light on the causes and prevention possibilities, and that the opportunity of collecting accurate scientific data in the least developed areas of Europe still places a great limitation on research. "It is a unique opportunity enabling Albanian and European scientists to pool their experience and transfer the results of the most recent scientific research projects to clinical practice, enabling the treatment of children with neurologic disease," explains prof. Paolo Curatolo, chairman of the scientific committee supervising the conference.

Additionally the Duress conference, at which scientists from many areas of both Northern and Southern Europe share and compare their experiences, represents an opportunity to highlight the high level neuropediatric research performed in the Mediterranean countries and encourages a spirit of scientific collaboration that rises above strongly heterogeneous social-political situations that have always characterized this part of the world.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-09/fmo-mni091406.php

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Bankers Petroleum Ltd has to announce the initiation of a study for a thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilot project in Albania.

The Company's Albanian strategy for 2006 has been focused on continuing to build production through the effective take-over and redevelopment of wells from Albpetrol Sh.A, the state owned oil company. Bankers' activities to date have increased current production to approximately 4,200 bopd, with the goal of reaching 10,000 to 15,000 bopd in three to four years.

The Patos Marinza field life is expected to be 25 years under the current Plan of Development, which represents a total incremental oil recovery of approximately 5 to 6% to Bankers of the total field resources of approximately 2 billion barrels of original oil in place. Total field recovery utilizing primary production techniques is thus estimated to be approximately 10 to 12%, including the previous production by Albpetrol.

Bankers has initiated a scoping study for an EOR project in Albania to further improve total recovery to the Company. A specialized EOR team has initiated the evaluation, economic analysis and modelling of a thermal pilot project for the southern part of the field. While EOR recovery techniques have been shown to have the ability to improve oil recoveries to 20 to 40%, it is not known at this time what the total potential impact could be on Bankers' Albanian reserves. The approvals required to proceed with this project are expected prior to year-end.

"We're excited to be moving forward with this important step in the next phase of development of our heavy oil project in Albania," said Richard Wadsworth, President. "A successful EOR project could result in increased reserves for the Company, as well as an increase in total production above the current 15,000 bopd production target."

http://www.oilvoice.com/Bankers_Petroleum_Announces_New_Enhanced_Oil_Recovery_Projec/7443.htm

here we see the state of albanian rail or some bus lol

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album14/Rruges_per_ne_Skrapar.jpg

i had to hit 2000 :D

I heard that there is going to be a construction of an electric train connecting Durres with Tirana can anyone confirm.

lol that is old news that was canceled

Park industrial në Durrës dhe Shkodër

Qeveria është duke zbardhur projektet që do të marrë në kuadër të nismës “Shqipëria 1Euro”. Brenda këtij mandati qeverisës është parashikuar ngritja e dy parqeve industrialë në Durrës dhe Shkodër, këto do të jenë edhe projektet e para që do të kërkohen dhe investitorë të huaj.

“përsa u përket projekteve industriale ato kryesisht me projektin tonë janë parku i Durrësit dhe zona e Shkodrës dhe në vazhdimësi pastaj do të kalohet edhe në zonën e Elbasanit, në Korçë dhe në Fier. Por zonat prioritare në të cilat ne po punojmë aktualisht janë Durrësi dhe Shkodra” shprehet Këshilltari i Kryeministrit, Selami Xhepa.

Parqet industriale do të shihen me prioritet edhe për faktin se ato nuk kërkojnë sipërfaqe të mëdha toke për tu ndërtuar. Edhe pse qeveria tha me të madhe se në dispozicion të investitorëve të huaj do të vendoseshin 120 mijë ha tokë, sipërfaqe që parashikohet të jepet me çmimin 1 euro, por kjo sipërfaqe do të jetë më e vogël.

“Tokat të disponueshme nga shteti sipërfaqet e refuzuara nga ish pronaret janë sipërfaqe goxha të mëdha, janë rreth 120 mijë ha siç është bërë i ditur nga Ministria e Bujqësisë, por sipërfaqja që pritet të realizohet dhe të angazhohet në këto nismë janë shumë herë më të vogla. Personalisht mendoj se sipërfaqja që do të përdoret për këto parqe është në 1 mijë ha edhe në rast se do të shkojë edhe ne një perudhë më tepër se 4 vjet” është shprehur Xhepa.

Brenda këtij muaji qeveria pritet të nxjerrë paketën e plotë ligjore “Shqipëria 1Euro” dhe pritet te japë detaje të plota mbi të, kurse miratimi në parlament pritet të bëhet gjatë muajit tetor

British company searches for oil in Albania's seas
25/09/2006

The Albanian government signed an agreement with British company MedOil for exploration rights in the Ionian and Adriatic Seas.
By Erlis Selimaj for Southeast European Times in Tirana -- 25/09/06


MedOil will begin exploration in Albanian seas in the coming months. [Getty Images]

MedOil, a London-based oil and gas exploration company, plans to search for oil in the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. An agreement signed this month by Albanian Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy Genc Ruli and Executive Director of MedOil Joseph McKniff provides for three phases of searches within seven years at a cost of 20.3m euros.

MedOil -- which focuses mainly on exploration in Southern Europe and North Africa -- is allowed to work within the so called 'Joni-5' offshore, approximately 2,500 sq km of seafloor off southern Albania extending to the northern boundary of Greece.

MedOil's initial obligation is for 400 sq km of a 3-D seismic work programme in the first two year period, with a minimum work expenditure of 1.6m euros.

The agreement will be presented for ratification by the Council of Ministers, which the directors expect to take place in late October.

Chief Executive David Thomas, commenting on the agreement with the Albanian government, said: "We are pleased to have been awarded this highly prospective offshore permit, where three hydrocarbon plays are identified in the block, all with successful analogues in the Adriatic region."

"A number of leads and prospects have already been mapped using the existing 2-D seismic data," he added.

The British company will carry out exploration in three stages in the Ionian Sea from the Karaburun Peninsula to the southernmost town of Saranda, and in the Durres area in the Adriatic Sea.

"The first one will last two years, the second three years and the last one will last two more years. The contract, in cases when there are discoveries of new sources, will be 20 years. The ministry has made its research on the free exploration areas for oil, petrol and gas in the sea and Earth and now it is promoting them to the international companies," Ruli explained.

According to experts, the restart of the exploration missions signals good prospects for the discovery of hydrocarbons. They also say that this initiative will attract more foreign companies to Albania.

MedOil was created to acquire high-quality exploration assets on ground-floor terms. It is focused on proven hydrocarbon bearing provinces in the Mediterranean-North Africa region.

Albania produces about 350,000 tonnes of oil annually. Petroleum was the first industry to attract direct foreign investments in Albania, after the communist economic system broke down. In 1990 and 1991, the Albanian Petroleum and Gas Directorate entered into negotiations with foreign drilling and exploration firms for onshore and offshore prospecting

The Albanian government said it will seek talks with Turkey's Calik Enerji concerning a renegotiated agreement on the privatisation of 76% of Albtelecom. Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his cabinet had earlier wanted to annul the 120m-euro contract with the Turkish company, which won an international tender sealed by Albania's previous Socialist government. However, the Berisha administration now appears ready to renegotiate some terms of the agreement, rather than initiate a brand-new tender. Local media reports suggested the change in position followed Berisha's recent visit to Turkey, where he met with Calik Enerji's president, Ahmet Calik.

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2006/09/29/roundup-bs-04

29/09/2006

TIRANA, Albania -- The OSCE praised on Thursday (28 September) the sealing of a national media ethics code and the establishment of a related council in Albania, describing the moves as a major step towards better ethical and professional standards. On Wednesday, three leading Albanian journalists' and media associations agreed to the code, which was drafted by a group of local experts with the assistance of the OSCE and USAID. A seven-member Council on Media Ethics was set up to intervene in media-related disputes. (OSCE website, Standard - 29/09/06)

As political turmoil wanes in the Balkans, countries are focusing their attention on the next major challenge: attracting more foreign direct investment. In Albania, the government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha is taking some innovative approaches.

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/images/2006/10/02/ROBERTphoto1.jpg
Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha (left) and Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik exchange documents after the signing of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Albania and the EU in June 2006. [Getty Images]

By Robert C. Austin for Southeast European Times – 02/09/06

f there is one trend in the region, it's the intensifying battle for much-needed foreign direct investment. Countries across Southeast Europe are looking for innovative ways to attract it. Meanwhile, political stability -- a precursor to investment -- is likely to increase following resolution of the Kosovo status issue, expected in the coming months.

The recent independence referendum in Montenegro was a welcome harbinger for the future. Despite worries and uncertainties ahead of the vote, it came off without a hitch. The dreaded grey zone -- a pro-independence vote exceeding 50% but falling short of the 55% threshold -- was averted. The EU and other observers gave a sigh of relief and went home happy. The recent election campaign there was, in the best possible sense, dull. Politicians were forced to think beyond the independence issue and deal with real, nuts-and-bolts issues. After so many fraught years, this is a welcome trend. While Serbia's fate is still tied to the capture of Ratko Mladic, the rest of the region is poised to push ahead aggressively.

Albania's Democratic Party government, led by Sali Berisha, knows full well that a battle for foreign investment looms and that Albania has some catching up to do. What strikes visitors the most when visiting the country is the near total absence of international brand names. The local capital has done a lot, especially with so much coming in from remittances, but Albania’s key industries will need more than that. Tirana and Durres, along with the highway that links them, are growing fast. However, investment is uneven and Albania is not only Tirana. Outlying regions, where poverty is highest, need investment.

The low level of foreign interest is largely due to the fact that Albania's international image is poor -- wrongly so. Certainly visitors to Albania leave with a far better impression than they arrived with. But much still needs to be done to make outsiders aware that the country has achieved significant progress. A start would be to showcase the already successful international investors operating there.

Growth, ranging between 5% and 6%, is respectable. The signing of the Stability and Association Agreement with the EU makes it clear that, after fits and starts, Albania is on the right track. Political life still too often resembles a circus but the stakes are no longer so high. The party state mentality dies slowly -- both Democrats and Socialists along with smaller parties still publish their own dailies. Nobody reads them, but that does not seem to matter. The battle between Socialist leader Edi Rama and Berisha is still on and with former Socialist leader Fatos Nano offering up his own party within a party, the word on the street is that politics like this is yesterday's news.

On the positive side, the two big parties did reach an agreement on electoral procedures for the upcoming local vote that averted the all too ubiquitous boycott of parliament by those out of power.

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/images/2006/10/02/ROBERTphoto2.jpg
Albania's tourism potential remains untapped. [Getty Images]

Berisha is taking some very bold steps and he has some excellent people around him. A few minutes with Lulzim Basha, the very youthful and energetic Minister for Public Works, Transport and Telecommunications, are telling. A map in his office outlines the vision for massive improvement in Albania's transportation network -- improvements that will shrink travel times, make the country more accessible and maximize Albania's strategic ports. Montenegro, with already fairly diverse international investment, seems so far to be the big winner in tourism investment but Albania should be next in line. The completion of the highway along the coast from Dubrovnik through to Saranda in Albania's south will transform the country. This is critical if Albania is to make the most of its incredible potential for tourism on its lengthy coast.

Albania's service sector, especially its restaurants and hotels, already offers exceptional things. The hospitality is great and Albanians are an outward-looking people. They are ready for an influx of tourists and people will leave impressed. Albania is also rich in natural resources, such as oil, gas, copper, chrome and hydroelectric potential.

By far the biggest step is Berisha's new program of "Albania for one euro". Although still in its infancy, the plan ultimately aims to offer extremely good terms to investors interested in strategic sectors like mining, agriculture, import reduction and energy -- areas that are crying out for big money. Government ministries are determining what assets they have and then will offer long-term leases for one euro per year. In essence, you can get a chromium mine for one euro provided the government is satisfied with your long-term development strategy.

There are still huge details to be worked out, like how to choose amongst competing bids and penalties for non-fulfillment of investment pledges. Implementation will likely fall to the country's economy minister, Genc Ruli, and he is certainly up to the job. The idea is an innovative one, albeit not without substantial risks: the political fallout would be heavy is things were practically given away and investors failed to live up to expectations.

The government is also moving towards a flat tax and other incentives to bring in foreigners. Business registration times have been shrunk to eight days from over forty. Berisha pledges to decrease it even further. The government was especially pleased with the reduction in the size of government, tax reductions and other measures that reduced overall expenditures. For ordinary Albanians, there is now a chance to be a whistle-blower and this has meant less and less bribery. This is also good news for foreigners.

Albania’s key ministers are now highly visible outside the country in conferences as they spread the word. They are leaving a good impression. Berisha also hired former US Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to advise him on security issues, including organised crime and corruption, along with NATO integration and investment. The policies are in place – now it's time to see who grabs the bait.

Robert C. Austin teaches the history and politics of Southeastern Europe at the Munk Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto.

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/articles/2006/10/02/reportage-01

Italy loans Albania €93.2 million for infrastructure projects
The Associated Press
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2006
TIRANA, Albania Italy on Wednesday provided Albania with a €93.2 million (US$118.7 million) loan to help the tiny Balkan country rehabilitate improve power distribution network, build a new health facility and reconstruct a southwestern port, the Finance Ministry said.

The soft loan would also be used to finance road segment in northern Albania. The other projects include improving a hospital pavilion in Tirana and upgrading the Vlora port in southwest, according to a statement.

Neighboring Italy has been one of the main donors to post-communist Albania, one of Europe's poorest nations.

A couple of days ago a major cement factory was innagurated in Albania. The project costed 150 million dollar.
The factory will produce an average of 1.5 million tons of cement a year and it's one of the most modern facilities in Europe.

7 October 2006 | 15:16 | FOCUS News Agency
Tirana. The representatives of Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia agreed in Tirana to sign a memorandum by which three years term will be defined for the start of construction of AMBO pipeline, the Macedonian newspaper Utrinski Vesnik reports. The three countries agreed that the terminal of the pipeline should not be in Vlora and the region of Porto Romano was a possible solution. The Macedonian Ministry of Economy announced yesterday that a ministerial meeting will be appointed in Macedonia on which to be signed the agreement for the AMBO pipeline.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n97201

is porto romano that contaminated site on the outskirts of durres?
i think it's used by Albanian Navy but it's a contamination zone where poor people live. it's on the outskirts of durres so it could get built there. the place is polluted enough so it wont do much if they build AMBO.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7097/1wz6.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/290/2ym9.jpg

Titan Cement applied for an aplication build a plant in Albania today.

http://www.titan-cement.com/en/news/announcements_full.asp?NewsID=178

"EBRD will finance a project for the Port of Durres in Albania allocating an estimated EUR 14-18 mln loan. The proposed project will increase the capacity of the ferry passenger and related infrastructure, and improve the quality of the services provided at this terminal at the Port of Durres.

Transition impact would stem from the introduction of changes in the port’s tariff and dividend policy and improvements in business planning. Additionally, the Port implements the new Port Law, reducing the political interference with port management and incorporating fair competition in cargo handling services.

The proposed Project will concentrate on the tariff and dividend reform policy, which is crucial to enable the PDA to operate on commercial basis. The borrower is the Republic of Albania whereas the client is the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunications (“MPWTT”).The project will be implemented by the Directorate of Maritime Transport (“DMT”) which is the body responsible for the port sub-sector. The total cost is estimated at EUR 40 mln.
Source: www.reporter.gr

The European Investment Bank (EIB) , the European Union's financing institution, announced Monday that it is to lend 12.5 million euros to Albania to help upgrade education infrastructure and management of education system in the country.

The funds will be used to improve the quality of learning conditions for students, to boost enrollment in secondary education, and to better governance in the higher education sector, the bank said in a statement posted on its website.

The loan, which supports the 2007-2010 phase of Albania's National Education Strategy, will help develop and improve the existing education infrastructure, especially in secondary education, and set the stage for higher education reform, the bank said.

The task of the EIB is to contribute to the integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion of EU member states. EIB financing in Albania has exceeded 230 million euros since 1995, with previous loans mainly focused on reconstruction of basic infrastructure.

Source: Xinhua

Tirana, (AEnews) Oct. 18 – Kosovo will export energy supplies to Albania at times of crisis. Two agreements of understanding were signed yesterday between Albanian Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy Genc Ruli and visiting UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Kosovo Joachim Rucker and Kosovo’s Minister of Energy and Mine Et’hem Ceku.

The first agreement provides for exchange of energy between Albania and Kosovo for different periods of time according to the needs of each of them. The second agreement provides for construction of a new Albania-Kosovo inter-connection line, which will increase the chances for energy exchange in the Balkans.

http://www.albanianeconomy.com/content/view/181/26/

Tirana, (AEnews) Oct. 11 - The EBRD is providing further support for the development of Albania’s power sector with a new €16 million loan to state-owned power utility Korporata Elektroenergjetike Shqiptare (KESH). The Loan is intended to help improve transmission, support regional integration.

The loan, guaranteed by the Republic of Albania, aims to strengthen the country’s electricity transmission network by financing the rehabilitation of six out-dated transmission substations that will also support Albania’s participation in the regional energy market in southeast Europe.

Varel Freeman, EBRD First Vice President, said infrastructure development is part of an overall series of improvements needed in the country, and the Bank, working with the government, is addressing those needs. The EBRD welcomes and continues to support government commitments to improving the power sector, which will ultimately benefit local businesses and residents, said Mr Freeman. Furthermore this project is important in supporting the further development of the regional energy market in southeast Europe, which will be of benefit to all countries in the region, he added.

The loan is the EBRD’s fourth to KESH and underscores the Bank’s commitment to helping improve the power sector in a country which, despite progress, still faces problems to provide a reliable power supply. Earlier loans have contributed to the upgrading of transmission and distribution networks, to the restoration of hydropower stations and to the construction of a new thermal power plant.

“The Government of Albania appreciates the assistance given to support such an important strategic sector as the electricity sector” said Ridvan Bode the Minister of Finance.

The EBRD is working on this project with the World Bank which is providing a co-financing loan. The Italian government is also contributing to the investment, providing a grant of €4.6 million to finance a co-management assistance programme to KESH’s top management.

Source: EBRD press release

7 October 2006 | 15:16 | FOCUS News Agency
Tirana. The representatives of Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia agreed in Tirana to sign a memorandum by which three years term will be defined for the start of construction of AMBO pipeline, the Macedonian newspaper Utrinski Vesnik reports. The three countries agreed that the terminal of the pipeline should not be in Vlora and the region of Porto Romano was a possible solution. The Macedonian Ministry of Economy announced yesterday that a ministerial meeting will be appointed in Macedonia on which to be signed the agreement for the AMBO pipeline.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n97201

That is great news! Atleast Berisha did something right for once. By moving it away from Vlora.

The Associated Press
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2006
TIRANA, Albania Italy's Sanpaolo IMI Group said Friday it agreed to buy American Bank of Albania in a deal that values the lender at US$156.9 million (€124.91 million).

Sanpaolo will acquire an 80 percent stake in American Bank from the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund and an option to buy the outstanding 20 percent, the Turin, Italy-based bank said in a statement.

The two parties remain in negotiations on the "necessary details to finalize the operation," and the deal remains subject to regulatory approval.

"Thanks to this operation Sanpaolo IMI strengthens its presence in Albania," Sanpaolo said in a statement. Sanpaolo bought Albanian Italian Bank in May this year.

The Albanian-American Enterprise Fund — a U.S. corporation first funded through a US$30 million (€24 million) grant from the U.S. government, the only shareholder of the bank — confirmed the agreement "in principal," according to a statement from the American Bank of Albania.

Sanpaolo IMI Group has a leading position in Italy, and after merging with Banca Intesa total assets would be €550 billion (US$691 billion), with over 6,200 domestic branches and agencies and more than 1,000 foreign branches.

The combined net income in the first six months of 2006 was €2,6 billion (US$3.2 billion), the bank statement said, adding that the group was the third-largest bank for market capitalization in the Euro zone and the fourth in lending.

"With this transaction, the American Bank of Albania brings into Albania the full power of a major international Banking Group for the continuing development, not only of the banking system, but also for the country itself," the statement said.

Last week, the AAEF said it had received offers from several financial institutions interested in American Bank.

ABA, the single largest lender in the country, serves 67,000 clients, manages US$656 million (€522 million) in assets, and employs 385 people in offices throughout Albania and Greece.

Some 17 commercial banks operate in Albania.

http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=/articles/ap/2006/10/20/business/EU_FIN_COM_Albania_ABA_SANPAOLO_IMI_Group.php

Great news everyone! Or should i say lakerdar coz he's posting them all:D

The Associated Press
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2006
TIRANA, Albania Italy's Sanpaolo IMI Group said Friday it agreed to buy American Bank of Albania in a deal that values the lender at US$156.9 million (€124.91 million).
I liked ABA. Very professional bank.

Do you think they will change the name too?

^^ Since the Italians are buying only 80% stake, there should be no name change.

ATHENS, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Greek hospital Hygeia said on Monday it would build a 30 million euro ($37.82 million) hospital in Albania in partnership with Albanian oil company Eurodrini.

Hygeia will initially invest 24 million euros in the construction of the hospital, the first private general hospital in Albania, which is expected to be completed within 18 months, Hygeia said in a statement.

The two companies will set up a company, in which Hygeia will hold an 80 percent stake and Eurodrini president Shyqyri Duraku will hold the rest.

Hygeia and Eurodrini aim to develop health care networks in other Balkan countries bordering Albania, the statement said.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=health&storyID=nL23816440&imageid=&cap=&from=business

Hygeia is actually the largest private hospital in Greece and one of the most modern in Europe. It is in Athens. Duraku, who also owes Sigal, had been talking since 2003-04 about opening the first private hostpital in Albania, but apparently, only now it came to realization. I am happy to see Hygeia in albania.

Sources inform ''Globes'' that Central Bottling Co. (Coca-Cola Israel) has won a franchise to market Carlsberg and Tuborg beer in Albania. The company will probably import beer produced at its plant in Romania, jointly owned with Jafora-Tabori CEO Roni Gat. The Romanian factory, which has been operating for several years, has $100 million in sales.

Central Bottling Co. said in response that marketing would initially be based solely on imports, and that the company would later consider setting up a beer production facility.

Carlsberg (KFX:CARL) currently operates in the Balkans directly. Central Bottling Co. partner Prigat Ltd. has successful operations in Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Moldavia and other Balkan countries.

http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000145203&fid=942

Albanian Business Challenges Turkish Consortium, Offers Euro200mln to Acquire Albtelecom

The chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Luan Bregasi said the local business is ready to offer Euro80 million more than the Turkish consortium to buy the fixed-line telephony operator, adding that it would be to the country’s interest for the company to be owned by Albanian business TIRANA – The Albanian business is ready to pay Euro200 million to buy the giant state-owned fixed-line telephony operator, Albtelecom. Source. (http://albaniannews.com/)

thats fucking amazing news. it's great to have a local business man own it instead and offer a much greater price.

The conviction that the centuries-old ethnic Greek minority in southern Albania and Albanian guest workers in Greece constitute a bridge of "cooperation and friendship" linking the two neighbours was again outlined here on Wednesday by Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis, following a meeting of the Albania-Greece Parliamentary friendship group.

The Albanian Parliament deputies thanked the Greek minister for Athens' multi-level support of their country's European prospects and development, stressing that such support is a request shared by both the Albanian government and the opposition.

Stylianidis briefed the bipartisan Albanian delegation on progress in bilateral relations, noting that Greece is now the biggest foreign investor in the neighbouring country and one of its most important trade partners.

Additionally, discussed also touched on the initiative "Albania 1 euro" - whereby state property is leased out at a rate of one euro for every one square meter of space, or services provided to foreign investors for one euro -- aimed at attracting foreign investments to the country.

Stylianidis said the initiative should further boost Greek investments in Albania, referring, among others, to a recent expansion in Albania by Greece-based Titan Cement.

Stylianidis also briefed the Albanian side on the HiPERB-backed project concerning the construction of the 41km-long Sagiades-Konispol-Sarande motorway along the two countries' Ionian coast, a project expected to link extreme northwestern Greece with Albania's southwest quadrant, an area that hosts that country's ethnic Greek minority. The overall cost of the project is 33.5 million euros, of which 25 million euros will be allocated from the Greek state budget.

A total of 15 36-milion-euro investments have been made within the framework of the HiPERB framework, 10.7 million of which emanated from Greece. A total of 215,000 euros has been invested in smaller projects, corresponding to 1 percent of the HiPERB credit line, with 283,000 euros remaining.

Regarding cooperation in the education sector, Stylianidis referred to the three bilingual schools already inaugurated by the Greek government in Korce, Himara as well as the Arsakio academy in Tirana where both Albanian and ethnic Greek students can study. The foreign ministry has also funded the construction of regular schools in Albania as well.

The construction of a middle school in Korce has also been approved, while a similar facility is scheduled to be opened in Gjirokastr at the request of the town's mayor and local government.

In the health sector, Greece has contributed to the construction of hospitals in the south of the country and supported medical centers in the north offering medical care to all citizens, with medical staff offered training in Greece.

On their part, some members of the Albanian delegation called for increased business activity by Greek firms and interests in the country's north, whereas Stylianidis noted that some of the biggest Greek investments have been based in the north, citing companies such as Alumil, Loulis Flour Mills and the ongoing Titan investment.

Finally, Stylianidis requested the assistance of the Albanian parliament in efforts to cut red tape faced by foreign companies operating in Albania.


http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=4742570&maindocimg=4741118&service=102

It's obviosly a better decision to have a big company like that in the hands of national business.. That way you ensure that the profit generated isnt taken out of the country but reinvested. But i think that they already signed a contract with the turkish company although the extra money these guys want to pay would probably pay for a court settlement, which would be worth it..

I hope the albanian investors buy Albtelekom. I dont want some turkish company buying it and i can guarantee it that once Eagle Mobile starts its operations it will fuck both AMC and Vodafone in terms of competition.;)

You guys are nuts if you really believe that only becouse a company is Albanian it will offer a better alternative then a foreign one.

Like Albania "is" the economic and business administration model-school of the World.

you dont agree that it's better to a local company to own it then a foreign company?

The issue is who can run it better...not whether its Albanian or not.

I don't know how well this ALbanian company can run it...but thats the reason the Turkish one was chosen...they brought something to the table which was better.

Anybody willing to invest 200milion into something will know how to run it..

Albanian economy

Good times, at last
Oct 26th 2006 | TIRANA
From The Economist print edition

An unexpected boom in Albania will benefit the Balkans


IT IS not hard to find bad news in Albania: the country is corrupt, the state is weak and organised crime is strong. Yet over the past five years the country has undergone a little-noticed but remarkable transformation. The chaos and violence of 1997, precipitated by the collapse of pyramid schemes that wiped out many people's savings, seems unthinkable today.

Brightly coloured blocks of flats and offices have sprouted all over Tirana, the capital. Roads across the country are being rapidly repaired and extended. Even Vlore, once a wretched, pot-holed, crumbling coastal town crammed with Kurds, other foreigners and Albanians—all waiting to be smuggled to Italy—is enjoying a share of the renaissance.



A campaign against people trafficking, including a ban on speedboats, has largely choked off that trade. Some of its proceeds have gone into construction and legitimate businesses. With a reduction in lawlessness, hotels and restaurants now cater to ethnic Albanian holidaymakers from neighbouring Kosovo and Macedonia.

The relative stability of the past few years has helped Albania attract foreign banks. These have introduced such novelties as mortgages, which in turn have helped fuel the construction boom.

When politicians from the European Union talk of halting enlargement, or announce restrictions on workers from prospective new members, Albanians don't worry much. Although there are few reliable statistics, about a third of its population of just over 3m is thought to be living abroad, mainly in the EU: at least 600,000 in Greece, more than 200,000 in Italy and probably another 200,000 elsewhere. Expatriates are believed to be sending home some €1 billion ($1.25 billion) a year, and their cash has financed construction as well as consumer spending. So have the proceeds from organised crime, though police sources say education campaigns have sharply reduced the number of girls sold into prostitution abroad, having been duped into believing they would work as cleaners or nannies.

Unemployment officially hovers around an uncomfortable-sounding 15%; but joblessness is twice as high in Macedonia, and even higher in Kosovo.

Today the big worries are the future of the economy—remittances may not create many sustainable jobs—and the behaviour of Sali Berisha, the prime minister. Critics complain that, since his return to power last year, he has been attempting to control public life, for instance by trying to sack the prosecutor-general. “Berisha does not care about either the law or democracy,” argues Mustafa Nano, an influential Albanian columnist. But some of Albania's institutions seem more capable of withstanding the pressure these days.

Tensions in the Balkans will rise in coming months as Kosovo, inhabited mostly by ethnic Albanians, moves towards independence. But in Albania itself there is little interest in the notion of a Greater Albanian state. Given that the collapse of 1997 had a direct effect in igniting war in Kosovo, greater wealth and stability in Albania is important for everybody in the Balkans.

Anybody willing to invest 200milion into something will know how to run it..

Why?? Thats not how things work...

Someone willing to invest 200 million is looking to make a lot more than that...its about money...and thats not necessarely related to the quality or how well or LONG they run it.

What is needed is someone with experience...not someone who's doing this for the first time.

What is needed is someone with experience...not someone who's doing this for the first time.

That is why Austrian/German/Danish investors are my favorite. =)

As far as I know, neither Celik nor the Albanian consortium (quite mysterious still) have any experience in the telecom industry. This is actually one of the problems that the Berisha gov. has with it, they are trying to make them do a partnership with Turkish Telecom. If that does not occur, then what most likely will happen, is that the company will have a foreign president, and local or Turkish shareholders. Considering that the Albanians are willing to pay 80 million more, then I do not see why they would rather give it to the Turks. Considering that those 200 million are also tougher for Albanian business, then it shows that their comitment, once they become owners if that happens, will be much stronger.

[QUOTE=thebackdoorman;10272087]As far as I know, neither Celik nor the Albanian consortium (quite mysterious still) have any experience in the telecom industry. QUOTE]

Nothing mysterious about it. The Albtelecom would definitely be a good investment. It has literally a monopoly on the provision of mainline services. Albanian businessman have come a long way and they know what they are dealing with. At the very least they would do better than the government in managing this business. The Turkish deal was always and remains a daylight robbery. Fingers crossed, it won'y go through but unfortunately it's wishful thinking. I think Berisha ( THE IDIOT BASTARD) has already sold out to the Turks just like Nano did.

http://www.mrt.com.mk/en/images/stories/foto/makedonija/naftovod.jpg

Macedonian and Albanian government representatives will sign Monday a bilateral protocol in order to determinate the entrance and exit points of the AMBO oil pipeline. Ministry of Economy announced that the village of Lakaica in Macedonia and the village of Stebleve in Elbasan municipality in Albania would be one on the AMBO oil pipeline points.

Macedonia determined Deve Bair locality as an entrance oil pipeline point, while the Bulgarian exit point hasn't been determined yet. The procedure is still in progress in the Bulgaria's Ministerial Council, reads the Economy Ministry press release.

Bulgaria had assured Macedonia and Albania at the International AMBO Committee meeting in Tirana on Sep. 26 that all necessary activities for final determination of the entrance and exit points between Macedonia and Bulgaria would be concluded in two months. Thus, an authorisation will be provided for signing the bilateral protocol between Macedonia and Bulgaria.

http://www.mrt.com.mk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1388&Itemid=26

The new Albanian Business and Investment Agency Albinvest was launched yesterday in Tirana.
This is a government affiliated agency http://www.albinvest.gov.al/

I heard about the AMBO news on Macedonian media. Great news indeed. Good thing is that at last the terminal issue has been resolved in Albania.

AMBO will be of great benefit for Bulgaria Macedonia and Albania

TIRANA, Albania: Raiffeisen Bank said Friday it has given a US$20 million (€15.6 million) loan to Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd. to help it develop an oil field in central Albania, the largest ever loan made by a local bank in Albania.

Bankers Petroleum will use the loan — a US$15 million term loan payable over five years and a US$5 million revolving line of credit, both with commercial interest rates — while it operates in Albania to develop and extract oil in the Patos Marinza oilfield, 110 kilometers (68 miles) south of the capital, Tirana.

"We are really happy to work with Bankers Petroleum in Albania. This proves that Albania is becoming a destination for foreign investment," said Steven Grunerud of Raiffeisen Bank in Albania. "The oil that Bankers is producing is both reducing the imports for Albania and developing additional exports that will contribute strongly to improving the balance of payments for the country. Raiffeisen is very excited to work with a company that is improving the future of Albania."

Austria's Raiffeisen bought Albania's state-owned Savings Bank — the last state-owned bank in the former communist nation — for €100 million in 2003. It is also a leader in the credit market with more than €200 million of loans in Albania.

Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bankers Petroleum Ltd., a Canadian-based oil and gas exploration and production company focused on opportunities in unconventional petroleum assets.

Bankers Petroleum has been actively operating in Albania since July 2004 based on a 25-year concession to extract and trade heavy crude oil from the Patos-Marinza oilfield.

Albania produces about 7,000 barrels of oil a day.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/02/business/EU_FIN_Albania_Raiffeisen_Bankers_Petroleum.php

Italy’s Consortium Wins Tender for Construction of Thermal Power Plant in Vlora

Maier Engineering will start the construction works in the first months of the next year TIRANA – The Maier Engineering consortium made up of two Italian companies, Ansaldo and Tecnomod, which are well-known for the construction of electricity plants, has been awarded the contract for building the thermal power plant in Vlora.

Source (http://albaniannews.com/)

Tirana. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated today that it is content with Albania’s economic policy and results achieved up to now recommending that the country speed up the privatization of strategic state companies next year, AP reports. IMF mission has been visiting Tirana for the last two weeks to discuss country’s progress in the fulfilment of its agreement with the Fund.
As a whole the program is fulfilled according to the schedule and the progress in the fulfilment of the agreed structural reform is satisfactory, mission’s announcement reads. Despite the encouraging progress in many areas it is necessary to make greater efforts to improve the management of the public debt and of the official statistics, the mission adds.
At the beginning of the year IMF and Albania signed a three-year agreement for 24.7 billion U.S. dollars* to assist country’s economy, AP informs. The agreement is renewed every six months to guarantee that the Government fulfils the agreed goals for growth, expenses and taxes.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n99101

*must be a mistake. possibly 24.7 million. :bash:

^^ I was about to post the same thing. I wish its 24 Billion, that would help us so much. lol

The Associated Press

Seven companies have tendered to supply Albania with electricity in 2007, the power corporation said Tuesday.

Tenders were made Monday afternoon by two Albanian companies, three Swiss ones, one German and one Czech firm.

The contract is to supply electricity for the whole year of 2007, the state-owned Albanian Electro-Energy Corporation, or KESH, said.

KESH is seeking 2.2 million MWh of electricity and has total funding of €162.8 million (US$206.8 million). No companies tendered to supply the entire amount. KESH may take up to one month to decide on the bids.

Albania has suffered chronic electricity problems during the post-communist period since 1990 due to nonpayment, poor management, a poor system and lack of money.

Albania has to source electricity from outside the country as it is unable to supply its entire needs from its own production. Most of the country's electricity is produced in the north from hydroelectric plants that suffer from lack of rain and work at less than half-capacity due to outdated technology.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/07/business/EU_FIN_ECO_Albania_Electricity.php

Tirana, Nov 7 (AENews) - Albanian Government have accept today to pay EUR 3.38 million in old debts towards Inalca S.p.a and Amed S.r.l, both Italian companies which had claimed their rights since 1991. The debts were incurred as a result of the collapse of Albanian economy after communism fell and the state owned enterprises could not fulfill their financial dues.

Albanian finance minister, Mr. Ridvan Bode and the two companies representatives, Mr. Paolo Boni and Alberto Ghelti Zoboli, signed financial agreements. It included nullification of interests incurred by the delayed payment.

In the last years, Ministry of Finance has accepted to pay back old debts for all foreign companies. Debts amount to EUR 70 million. :banana:

http://www.albanianeconomy.com/content/view/191/34/

Albania is investing 162.8 million euros (206.8 million U.S. dollars) to buy 2.2 million MWhs of electricity to last the country throughout the whole year of 2007, the national utility company KESH said on Tuesday.

Two Albanian firms, three Swiss ones, one German and one Czech company put in their tenders on Monday afternoon for the contract to supply electricity to Albania, it was reported.

KESH may take up to one month to sort out the bids, saying it may invite several firms to cooperate, since no companies have tendered to supply the entire amount that Albania is asking for.

Before 1990, Albania even exported hydropower to its Balkan neighbors, but it has suffered chronic power problems since then due to soaring domestic consumption, non-payment, aging system and poor maintenance.

Albania depends heavily on hydropower, with 90 percent of its electricity produced in the north from hydroelectric plants that suffer from low rainfall and outdated technology.

The last plant was built some 30 years ago and there has been little investment in the grid since.

http://english.people.com.cn/200611/08/eng20061108_319406.html

does albania still have electrcity problems. are there still powercuts and are they severe?

Tirana, (AEnews) Nov. 8 - Albania is expected to suffer long hours of blackout from January 2007, which will be caused by the impossibility to import electric power, a source from state owned monopoly KESH. sh.a said yesterday.

KESH has received offers from five companies to import electricity for the first quarter of 2007, at an international bid. But all the offers so far can provide for less than 47% of the total 568,000 MW/h required. "We have accepted to pay a higher price (than the previous year) in order to assure that the country’s energy needs are met", KESH’s general director Andi Beli said.

However all seven participating companies in the bid made only small and very expensive offers. The average offered price was EUR 80/MWh, about double the price of the 2006 tender.

The tender is expected to be declared partly or totally failed, because of inadequate offers. As happened in 2005, the government will order KESH sh.a to accept whole offers.

The difficult situation in the Balkans electricity market is caused by the closure of a big nuclear power plant in Bulgaria. Albania is expected to suffer more than other Balkan countries because its financial and technical capacities are limited.

Experts in Tirana says that even if someone could offer electricity to sell to Albania, with the average market price of eur 80/MWh, the country will need more than EUR 200 million to pay for all its energy needed. KESH sh.a has a total annual revenue of EUR 200 million, so the corporation would in no case be able to pay the bill. KESH’s added problem is the fact that the average selling price of electricity in Albania is LEK 7.01 (EUR 0.06), so KESH would still not be able to cover the bill for imports from its own revenues.

http://www.albanianeconomy.com/content/view/193/26/

ye so i'm assuming they have some really big problems still

Albania: Italian company to build thermoelectric plant

(ANSA) - TIRANA – Italian company Maire Engineering may be assigned the construction of a thermoelectric plant in Albania, near Valona.
According to Kesh, state-owned Albanian Electro-Energy Corporation, negotiations with the Italian company will start on Novembre 20.
Negotiations will include "technical aspects of the project and the determination of the plant’s environmental impact". Maire Engineering competed with German Siemens for the assignment of the contract.
The plant will cost a total 100 million euros and it will be financed through subsidized funding granted by international organisations.
November 10

the ministry of finance posted that the budget for the Republic of Albania in 2007 will be as follows:

Revenue: $2,607,829,974.11/EUR 2,038,162,412.43
Spending:$3,089,854,864.63/EUR 2,414,891,349.32

http://www.minfin.gov.al/downloads/Ligji_Buxhetit_2007.pdf

All these thermo plants. Just build one huge nuclear plant to supply entire Albania and maybe even some for export.

is thermoelectric damaging to the environment cause i'm not familiar with plants really

thermoelectric is just a fancy name for a plant that uses coal, oil or natural gas to produce electricity.

So basically another plant that will destroy the environment...i'm against it lol

the ministry of finance posted that the budget for the Republic of Albania in 2007 will be as follows:

Revenue: $2,607,829,974.11/EUR 2,038,162,412.43
Spending:$3,089,854,864.63/EUR 2,414,891,349.32

http://www.minfin.gov.al/downloads/Ligji_Buxhetit_2007.pdf

Thats really nice considering that in 2005 the budget was only Revenue $1.96billion/expenditure $2.37billion. If they could get rid of the extensive grey market, the figures would be double..

the ministry of finance posted that the budget for the Republic of Albania in 2007 will be as follows:

Revenue: $2,607,829,974.11/EUR 2,038,162,412.43
Spending:$3,089,854,864.63/EUR 2,414,891,349.32

http://www.minfin.gov.al/downloads/Ligji_Buxhetit_2007.pdf


What the hell!?!?!?!?

That is almost a 20% budget defficit :runaway:

it's a -$484,492,463.69/EUR377,242,821.96 defecit. i know it's bad, i dont know why

ps. i think you did your math wrong, it's a 15.6% budget defecit, i know still bad.

it's a -$484,492,463.69/EUR377,242,821.96 defecit. i know it's bad, i dont know why

ps. i think you did your math wrong, it's a 15.6% budget defecit, i know still bad.

I did not calculate anything but its obvious its almost 20%... You did your math in reverse probably, thats why you came up with 15,6%. :lol:

it's a -$484,492,463.69/EUR377,242,821.96 defecit. i know it's bad, i dont know why

ps. i think you did your math wrong, it's a 15.6% budget defecit, i know still bad.

yeah man it's a lot... the Macedonian one is 1%

I did not calculate anything but its obvious its almost 20%... You did your math in reverse probably, thats why you came up with 15,6%. :lol:

ye i probably did my bad. i always get confused to divide the difference by the revenue or by the spending. either way the most it could be is something like 17%. still huge. i cant explain why its such a huge difference other than having a retarded government :nuts:

either way the most it could be is something like 17%

You finally got me to open the calculator... :lol:

It's 18,5%

It's 18.48% :D

God we're such nerds :lol:

It's 18.48% :D



Ok you win :lol:

yay i feel special :banana:

Ministry of Economy - 27 Million Dollars
Ministry of Agriculture - 54 Million Dollars
Ministry of Transportation - 403 Million Dollars
Ministry of Finance - 7.6 Million Dollars
Ministry of Education - 319 Million Dollars
Ministry of Tourism - 26 Million Dollars
Ministry of Health - 224 Million Dollars
Ministry of Justice - 48 Million Dollars
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (yay my cousin :banana: :lol: ) - 20 Million Dollars
Interior Ministry - 130 Million Dollars
Ministry of Defense - 180 Million Dollars
Ministry of Labor - 350 Million Dollars
Ministry of Environment - 18 Million Dollars

TOTAL - $1,806,600,000

where the hell is the other $801,229,974.1 of revenue going? and why did they say they were gonna spend $1,283,254,865 more then is posted?

Maybe they disburse that amount to the regional kommune's lakerdar..?

oh..

The World Bank has approved a 5m- euro loan for the construction of the new national Meteorology Centre in Tirana. The project will begin in early 2007.

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2006/11/20/roundup-st-04

two in your pocket guides of Tirana and Shkoder:

http://www.inyourpocket.com/albania/en/

read through them and they're really badly written. they just chose to make a quick buck and bullshit the whole book or whatever it is. i would feel bad for any tourist who uses them.

ALBANIA: PER CAPITA INCOME EXPECTED TO RISE BY 8.3%

TIRANA, NOVEMBER 14 - Per capita income for Albanians is expected to increase by 8.3% next year, to USD 3,122, Albanian Economy Minister, Ridvan Bode, has said. The announcement was made during the parliamentary presentation of the 2007 budget. Last year's per capita income was USD2,883. The government also forecast a 6% growth for next year, up 1% from this year's expected growth of 5%.

ALBANIA: BUILDING OF FIRST GRANITE MINE TO COST 1.4 MLN EURO

TIRANA - The American-Albanian Business Fund will invest 1.4 million euro in building the first granite mine in Albania. The Fund was established with U.S. government funding and has operated in Albania for the past 11 years. The works for the mine, in the Fushe-Arrez area in the north of the country, will start in the spring. The granite dug out of the mine will be exported. In the first years, exports are expected to reach four million euro a year. The American-Albanian Business Fund has invested so far more than 40 million euro in different sectors of the Albanian economy and owns shares also in the consortium which runs Albaniàs only international airport, in Tirana. The fund is also owner one of the most important local financial institutes, the American bank of Albania.

ALBANIA: PER CAPITA INCOME EXPECTED TO RISE BY 8.3%

TIRANA, NOVEMBER 14 - Per capita income for Albanians is expected to increase by 8.3% next year, to USD 3,122, Albanian Economy Minister, Ridvan Bode, has said. The announcement was made during the parliamentary presentation of the 2007 budget. Last year's per capita income was USD2,883. The government also forecast a 6% growth for next year, up 1% from this year's expected growth of 5%.

8.3 rise in GDP per capita is very ambitious.

^^ Not really so, considering that is election time. :runaway:

Albania's GDP per capital is already higher than 3200, much higher

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/al.html#Econ
check out the CIA factbook and the economy section

8.3 rise in GDP per capita is very ambitious.

it is something expected by the IMF also not just the albanian government

2006: $2,874.082
2007: $3,174.856

http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2006/02/data/weorept.aspx?pr.x=53&pr.y=13&sy=1980&ey=2007&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=914&s=NGDP_R%2CNGDP_RPCH%2CNGDP%2CNGDPD%2CNGDP_D%2CNGDPRPC%2CNGDPPC%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPWGT%2CPPPPC%2CPPPSH%2CPPPEX%2CPCPI%2CPCPIPCH%2CLP%2CBCA%2CBCA_NGDPD&grp=0&a=

Albania's GDP per capital is already higher than 3200, much higher

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/al.html#Econ
check out the CIA factbook and the economy section

what were talking about here in this thread is gdp per capita in US dollars, not taking into account purchasing power basically how much can you buy with what you make. if you take into account purchasing power then you get a gdp per capita as follows

2006: $5,817.566
2007: $6,258.673

http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2006/02/data/weorept.aspx?pr.x=53&pr.y=13&sy=1980&ey=2007&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=914&s=NGDP_R%2CNGDP_RPCH%2CNGDP%2CNGDPD%2CNGDP_D%2CNGDPRPC%2CNGDPPC%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPWGT%2CPPPPC%2CPPPSH%2CPPPEX%2CPCPI%2CPCPIPCH%2CLP%2CBCA%2CBCA_NGDPD&grp=0&a=

so as you can see the cia world factbook is wrong as i would trust the IMF more. they have personal on the ground there doing the estimates.

ye i know the CIA factbook isn't as trusted on the gdp per capita but i forgot the website i had before, the UNHDR is a really good website for such things (un human development report)

TIRANA - The American-Albanian Business Fund will invest 1.4 million euro in building the first granite mine in Albania

First?? Maybe only one that works now...but certainly not first. We had the mines...we destroyed them...now we need someone else to build it for us. :bash:

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/images/2006/11/26/NEWSphoto.jpg
26/11/2006

TIRANA, Albania -- The prospect of EU membership remains a major incentive for reforms and regional stability, according to participants at the Central European Initiative's (CEI) economic conference, which wrapped up in Tirana on Friday (November 24th). The event, attended by some 900 government officials and business leaders from 18 Central and Southeast European states, focused primarily on economic ties, technical co-operation in the fields of infrastructure, energy, transport, small- and medium-sized enterprises and human resources, as well as combating organised crime and corruption. At the two-day meeting, Bulgaria assumed the rotating CEI presidency from Albania. (Albanian News - 25/11/06; Albanian government website, BNR, RTRS - 24/11/06)

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newssummary/#setimes/newsbriefs/2006/11/26/nb-01

Tirana, Nov. 20 (AEnews) - Three private banks agreed to lend 10 million euro ($12.95 million) for the construction of Romano Port, the first private jetty in Albania, that will be used to handle the trans of oil, gas and their products in the coastal area of Porto?Romano, Durres.

This project represents the first private jetty that will handle the transportation of oil and gas and other such products in Albania.

Total investment for the construction of the jetty reached EUR 16 million of which 63% or EUR 10 million of the total amount was syndicated by three banks, meanwhile the other part was financed by Romano Port sh.a. itself.

The EUR 10 million syndicated loan was made possible through the participation of the American Bank of Albania, Emporiki Bank ? Albania and Tirana Bank. The American Bank of Albania acted as lead bank both in regards to negotiations and participation in the syndicated loan. The loan was granted for a 12-year term.

This investment is set to replace the port of Durres and Lezha for the transportation of oil and its products. The importance of this project stands on the fact that it represents one of the largest private industrial investments in this sector.

Growing interest on the part of private businesses led Romano Port sh.a. to acquire the license for the construction of this jetty with private funds. After the signing of the Concessionary Agreement by the government of the Republic of Albania and its ratification by the Albanian Parliament under Law no. 9298, dated 28.10.2004, Romano Port sh.a. received the KRRTRSH license for its construction. Works started immediately and are now at over 50% complete. Meanwhile, unloading of the first ship is projected to happen in the summer of 2007. Upon start of operations all existing oil and gas deposits are expected to move near the new jetty within a 12 to 24 month period.

Signing of the agreement was made with representatives of the concessionary company Romano Port sh.a. and representatives from the three participating banks: American Bank of Albania represented by Mr. Lorenzo Roncari ? President & CEO; Emporiki Bank ? Albania represented by Mr. George Caracostas ? General Executive Director; and Tirana Bank represented by Mr. Bedri Collaku ? Credit Division Director; as well as Mr. Artan Dulaku, Piro Bare and companies Inter-Gaz sh.a, Alba ? Oil sh.a and Edil Al-It sh.p.k. The agreement was signed on the premises of the American Bank of Albania.

The placement and functioning of the jetty will be in accordance with the recommendations of the World Bank Group and IMF which advocate that oil and gas transportation jetty be constructed in well designated industrial zones.
Source: ABA Press Release

http://www.albanianeconomy.com/content/view/197/33/

Tirana, Nov. 28, 2006 (Aenews) ? Albanian Parliament is to aprove the state budged for fiscal year 2007, which begins in January 1. The draft-budget foresees revenues to amount to Lek 253 BN (USD 2.57 billion, Eur 2.06 BN), from which fiscal revenues are expected to reach LEK 230 BN. (USD 2.235 BN, Eur 1.87 BN).

Expenditures are projected to be Lek 300.3 BN (USD 3.06 BN, Eur 2.44 BN). While, revenues are estimated will be at 25.8% of GDP, and expenditures at 30.6% of GDP.

Capital expenditures are projected to reach Lek 69.7 BN (USD 711 million, EUR 566 million) or 7.1% of GDP.

State deficit is projected to be Lek 46.8 BN at 4.8% of GDP.

http://www.albanianeconomy.com/content/view/198/26/

Tirana, Nov 30 (AENews) ? Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha accepted today Albania?s violation of the UN sanctions against former Yugoslavia during 1993 and 1995 years of war in Bosnia and Croatia.

"I have denounced the time when Montenegro and Kosova were suffering very much from the UN sanctions, that is why I permitted these countries to use the Albanian territory to import goods prohibited by UN sanctions," Berisha said today in a press conference.

According to Berisha, it was unjust for Serbia to be able to receive large quantities of goods through the Danube River, while for Montenegro and Kosova to be the only regions to suffer these sanctions.

During the war, large amounts of goods, primarily petroleum, were exported via Albania to Montenegro. Last week, the Montenegrin politician, Momir Bulatovich, was reported to have confessed that they had signed an agreement with Berisha that was in violation of the UN sanctions. Berisha had previously denied the existence of such an agreement.

The political opposition had accused Berisha about helping former Serbian president Sllobodan Milloshevich, who was later charged for genocide and war crimes and then died before being sentenced.

Petroleum smuggled through Albania to the former Yugoslavia has been suggested as a possible cause for the Albanian civil disorder of 1997 during which more than 2000 Albanians died. Mr. Berisha was at that time president of Albania. His government was overthrown in March '97, but then he offered his resignation in June 1997.

Mr. Berisha has survived as the opposition leader till July 2005 when his party won the elections and turned him into power as the Prime Minister.

According to an IMF paper it is possible that the end of the UN sanctions after the Dayton accord in August 1995 was the reason that affected the collapse of the many Ponzy schemes in Albania, which then resulted to the civil disorder of 1997.

http://www.albanianeconomy.com/content/view/199/37/

Tirana, Nov. 30, 2006 - Deputy Minister of Finance Florion Mima said yesterday that Albanian customs system was committed to implementing a free trade regime with the European Union countries entering into force as of tomorrow.

The customs offices throughout the country have been provided with the new customs codes to be applied between Albania and the EU, Mina said.

Meanwhile, media sources report that the negative effects of the new move on the state budget for December alone will be approximately LEK 600 million.

http://www.albanianeconomy.com/content/view/200/34/

Pajtueshm?ri p?r termocentralin e Vlor?s



Vlor?, 28.11.2006 - Tenderi nd?rkomb?tar p?r nd?rtimin e TEC-it t? Vlor?s ka hyr? n? faz?n p?rfundimtare t? tij, ku pritet vet?m firmosja formale e kontrat?s me kompanin? italiane, "Maier Inginering". Pas bisedimeve disaditore, mes KESH-it dhe drejtuesve t? kompanis?, k?ta t? fundit kan? r?n? dakord q? t? marrin p?rsip?r nd?rtimin e TEC-it, sipas t? gjitha kushteve t? paracaktuara nga korporata dy vjet m? par?, n? koh?n e hapjes s? tenderit.

K?t? fakt e ka konfirmuar drejtori i KESH-it, Andi Beli, i cili ?sht? shprehur se bisedimet me italian?t jan? mbyllur me sukses, nd?rkoh? q? pritet vet?m firmosja formale e kontrat?s n? dit?t n? vazhdim.

Sipas Belit, "kompania italiane ka r?n? dakord q? t? marr? p?rsip?r nd?rtimin e TEC-it t? Vlor?s, pa ndryshuar koston e projektit, por duke pranuar vet?m disa ndryshime t? natyr?s teknike". Ecurin? pozitive t? bisedimeve me italian?t e "Maier Inginering" e ka konfirmuar edhe ministri i Energjetik?s, Genc Ruli, i cili n? nj? prononcim p?r shtyp ka theksuar se tashm? ?do gj? ?sht? mbyllur dhe pritet vet?m firmosja p?r t? filluar m? pas me punimet. Komisioni i Vler?simit t? Ofertave n? KESH p?rcaktoi para pak koh?sh si m? t? favorizuar
kompanin? italiane "Maier Inginering", e cila n? krahasim me kompanit? pjes?marr?se n? tender, kishte dh?n? ofert?n m? t? ul?t.

Pas vler?simeve teknike t? Bank?s Bot?rore dhe BERZH-it (Banka Evropiane p?r Rind?rtim dhe Zhvillim), t? cilat do t? jen? edhe financueset kryesore t? projektit, miratimi nga kompania italiane i ka hapur p?rfundimisht rrug? nd?rtimit t? TEC-it t? Vlor?s.

TEC-i i Vlor?s ?sht? nj? bashk?punim financiar mes donator?ve t? huaj, si Banka Bot?rore, BEI, BERZH, ku jan? parashikuar t? investohen 125 milion? USD. Nga 13 kompani q? mor?n pjes? n? fazat e parakualifikimit, u p?rzgjodh?n vet?m 4 kompani, nga ku u kualifikua edhe konsorciumi "Maier Inginering", i p?rb?r? nga dy kompani italiane "Ansaldo" dhe "Tecnomod".

Vet?m dy jav? m? par?, p?rfaq?suesja e Bank?s Bot?rore, Orsalia Kalanzopulos, deklaroi se, "p?r shkak t? ndryshimeve n? ?mimin e naft?s, q? pothuajse u dyfishuan, ka ende pun? p?r t'u b?r? n? drejtim t? specifikave t? projektit". Sipas saj, ka disa firma q? jan? kualifikuar dhe kompania fituese do t? zgjidhet sipas rregullave t? institucioneve financiare nd?rkomb?tare.

Me p?rzgjedhjen e kompanis? fituese, pritet q? punimet p?r nd?rtimin e k?tij TEC-i t? ri, t? nisin brenda vitit 2007.


Briefly, all the participating sides in the reconstruction of the Vlora termocentral have come to an agreement and the construction is expected to start within 2007.

www.eciks.com

god damit the fucking characters are messed up. it hurts your eyes reading it.

? = ë

Albania will develope but it will take some time, but at the pace that we are now things may look promising.

yay another new york alb. mire se erdhet

24 milionë USD për sigurinë portuale

Ka filluar instalimi i paisjeve për sistemin e njohjes automatike në katër portet shqiptare me një vlerë prej 24 milionë dollarësh të dhuruar nga Shtetet e Bashkuara të Amerikës. Këto pajisje po vendosen nga kompania amerikane SIA, në portet e shëngjinin, Durrësit, Vlorës dhe Sarandës. Këto pajisje do të shërbejnë për njohjen e çdo mjeti lundrues në ujërat shqiptare në mënyrë dixhitale dhe nga më modernet. Ky investim është edhe në kuadër të anëtarësimit të Shqipërisë në NATO ku vendi ynë është ftuar të marri kartën e anëtarësimit në vitin 2008. Presidenti i Kompanisë SIA ka deklaruar se investimi për pajisjet moderne do të përfundojë sa më shpejt që të jetë e mundur. Me këtë investim, vendi ynë do të ketë një siguri detare të krahasuar me vende si Italia dhe Spanja. Pajisjet do të sjellin një kontroll të plotë në detin shqiptar. B. Sina

TIRANA, Albania

The Albanian power corporation said Tuesday it had reached agreement with three international companies to secure electricity supply for three months. In the meantime, it has instituted power cuts as supply from local hydropower has been reduced because of a lack of rain.

Power was out in the capital for hours Monday, although The Albanian Electro-Energy Corporation, or KESH, did not officially acknowledge that it had imposed cuts.

KESH said it would get 2.32 million kilowatt hours per day from Slovenian Istrabens Gorenje, Greek Public Power Corporation and Swiss EFT that would help it cope with what spokeswoman Klodiana Gjinaj said was a regional energy crisis as two nuclear power units in Bulgaria are taken off line this month.

KESH's problems have been compounded by high world energy prices and a significant drop in water levels at northern Albanian plants that produce the bulk of its electricity. KESH expects to generate a power surplus in the summer, however.

Since 1990, the former communist Balkan country has suffered regular electricity troubles due to poor management, an outdated distribution system and lack of money because of unpaid bills.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8LQKMF80.htm

Tirana, 6 Dec. 2006 - The OSCE Presence in Albania and the country's Property Restitution and Compensation Agency (PRCA) today signed an agreement that provides technical and financial assistance to design an electronic database of requests for restitution and compensation of property since 1993.

The electronic database will provide the PRCA with accurate and easily accessible information regarding the types and total amount of land claimed for restitution and compensation. Once the land value maps are completed, Albania will have a reliable estimate of the total cost of the restitution and compensation process. The database will also serve as a case management and case-tracking tool allowing the Agency to more efficiently adjudicate claims. It will provide technical capacity to identify and resolve claims in chronological order according to geographic locations.

"The database will improve the Agency's capacity to manage the restitution and compensation process and as a result, the Government will be better able to co-ordinate the legalization process," said the Head of the OSCE Presence, Ambassador Pavel Vacek.

"The gathered information will also assist us to co-operate with other public institutions administering public properties," said Director of the PRCA, Justina Boriçi.

The 40.000 Euro financing for the initiative was pledged by the government of the Czech Republic. The OSCE Presence has supported the property restitution and compensation process since 2004 when the relevant law entered into force. It has assisted in commenting on legislation and drafting sub-legal acts, supported the preparation of property value maps for the Tirana area, donated office equipment and has provided training for property commissioners. The Presence will continue supporting the property reforms in the country, in line with its mandate.

Source: OSCE press release

http://www.albanianeconomy.com/content/view/202/26/

Tirana /07/12/ 17:53

The Albanian citizens are facing interruptions in power supply lasting from four to 14 hours a day, although the Albanian Electric Power Corporation has not officially announced imposing restrictions yet.

In the past four days, the residents of the capital Tirana are faced with four- to six-hour restrictions in electricity supply, Makfax's correspondent reported.

Elsewhere across the country, power cuts last for eight hours, and even 14 hours a day in the villages.

The biggest hydro-electric plant in the country, "Fierza", is operating with minimum water supplies.

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha himself admitted that the country faces an energy crisis, while the Government and the National Electric Power Company expects to overcome the crisis by imports.

http://www.makfax.com.mk/look/novina/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=2&NrArticle=46761&NrIssue=213&NrSection=20

in 2003 and 2004 bajram curri used to have 23/7 electricty. now this

Prezantohet projekti për dy zona të lira industriale

Në mjediset e Ministrisë së Ekonomisë, Tregtisë dhe Energjetikës, janë prezantuar rekomandimet përfundimtare për krijimin e dy zonave të lira industriale në Shqipëri, në kuadër të projektit të financuar nga EC-UNDP "Trade Liberalization and Promotion Project", bëjnë të ditur burime të kësaj ministrie.
Sipas rekomandimeve të paraqitura nga ekspertët e këtij projekti, zona e kënetës në Durrës, (jo zona e zënë me ndërtime) me sipërfaqe 54 ha, në distancë të barabartë nga Porti i Durrësit dhe Porto Romano, propozohet që të kthehet në një zonë të lirë industriale, "Green Field", pasi është hapësirë bosh dhe pa infrastrukturë rreth e rrotull. Gjithashtu, kompleksi i ndërtesave të fermentimit të duhanit në Shkodër, me sipërfaqe terreni rreth 5 ha dhe me sipërfaqe ndërtimi rreth 30000 m2, është propozuar të kthehet në një zonë të lirë industriale "Brown Field", pasi është e lidhur me infrastrukturën e nevojshme, por ka nevojë për rehabilitim të thellë. Grupi i ekspertëve, i drejtuar nga drejtuesi i projektit, Andrew Thornburn, kanë paraqitur opsionet e favorshme për zhvillimin e këtyre dy zonave.

Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment is being installed in four Albanian ports -- Durres, Vlora, Shengjin and Saranda. The US government is donating the devices, which will assist Albanian ports in complying with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), and make it easier to identify ships at night or in poor visibility conditions.

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2006/12/11/roundup-st-03

Ohrid /11/12/ 17:56

Albania will set out construction works on water purification system for protection of Ohrid Lake in January 2007.

Albanian Environment Minister, Lufter Xhuveli, said this during today's talks with his Macedonian counterpart Imer Aliu, Makfax's correspondent reported.

The two ministers held talks at the regular meeting of the Joint Committee for Protection of Ohrid Lake, which took place in the town of Podgradec, situated at the Albanian shore of the lake.

The first stage of setting up the water purification system by Albanian authorities will set out on 15 January. Macedonian side completed the system several years ago.

http://www.makfax.com.mk/look/novina/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=2&NrArticle=47151&NrIssue=216&NrSection=10

For most Albanians power outages have become a common fact of life. Such was the case when the country was encapsulated by one of its worst energy crises last fall, leaving some districts with only a few hours' supply of electricity every day.

Losing more than half of the domestically produced electricity in its crippled power grid, the country is enlarging the gap between the energy supplied and the energy needed to sustain the growth of its national domestic product.

Since the early 1990s Albania has faced increasing difficulties in matching the demand for energy dictated by its economic growth with constant supply. The implications of the energy gap that has been created have become a matter of public concern due to the inability of the various governments to address the crises.

"We have an unseen emergency, and such emergency requires a particular method of dealing with it," said Minister of Energy Genc Ruli in an interview for the BBC. According to Ruli, there has been a sort of blindness in energy platforms in Albania such then whenever the nation is hit by a crisis, it has served as an omen for politicians to direct their attention toward energy.

Meanwhile, as the crisis has weakened and the first drops of rain are registered, their attention has drifted.

According to a case study conducted by the Albanian Institute of International Studies (AIIS), the energy crisis in Albania has had a direct impact on the deterioration of living conditions. Comparisons with other countries in the region indicate that energy consumption in 2000 was 3.2 times lower than in Croatia and 3.8 times lower than in Greece. This difference is mainly attributed to electricity shortages. According to an AIIS survey 86.2 percent of the population experience power cuts, while 2 percent of the population no longer has access to electricity.

The change in energy consumption in Albania is an important factor contributing to the energy crisis. If in 1991, households consumed 14.6 percent of the total used energy, in 2001 their use increased to 21 percent. According to World Bank estimations, the demand for energy from households has increased by 8.4 percent, while only 4.1 percent of such increases was satisfied. The sharp increase in the energy demand cannot be satisfied by the current supply level that is achieved through a mix of internal production and imports.

In the midst of its energy crisis in the fall of 2005 Albania received various warnings by international agencies about the effects of the crisis on its economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that if things did not improve, economic growth in 2006 would be virtually nonexistent.

Istvan Szejeky, head of the IMF for Southeastern Europe warned that Albania was headed for challenges with its GDP if the electricity situation was not rectified. He implied that the projections suggest that the country could endure a tailspin directly caused by the lack of electricity. Growth targets might not be met, according to Szekely. He suggested that growth goals might need to be revised by the DP government if the energy supply is not stabilized.

According to Szekely, small businesses were the sector of the economy affected the most by the energy crisis. "We've recommended to the government to be cautious in its economic growth projections for 2006 in light of the electricity challenges," he said.

The World Bank head in Albania, Nadir Mohammed suggested the efficient management of the power corporation is indispensable to restore the flow of electricity. The central bank cautioned that the energy crisis could limit economic growth forecasts and observed that the lack of power was crippling the economy. It called upon the Albanian Energy Corporation to increase supply regardless of reserves.

According to the AIIS study, the continuing energy crises in Albanian may have an impact on its sustainable economic growth. Constant power outages due to the crises are having an impact on the economy. Because businesses have to depend on generators to derive energy as the failure of the power grid deepens, an increase in prices for services is accumulated due to the higher cost of energy that is created by such alternative sources. Because of the deficiencies in the current hydro platforms and growing demand, Albania has become dependent on energy imports. Electricity imports have increased by from $25.6 million in 1990 to $256 million in 2001. Such increase in imports has had a dire effect on the trade and cash flow deficits.

The investment environment in Albania is dominated by the energy crises, which makes the country less attractive to foreign investors. According to the industrial output index that is compiled by the Center of Research and Development, the energy crises is the main negative effect on Albania's industrial output. Because of the crises foreign investor opt to divert their investment in more stable economic environments.

According to the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), time is not entirely on KESH's side when it come big customers. Customers like the cutting-edge cement factory in Fushe Kruja are opting for other options.
"With KESH we still have 2-to-4 hours of power outages per day and the quality of the power is poor -- voltage fluctuations can damage equipment," said Derek Williams, project manager for the cement mill owned by the Lebanon Seament company.

"When we were planning the new cement works, KESH said they'd fix things up to improve our power supply. I think they might have been able to do so. But in the end we couldn't risk our decision on their ability to deliver so we decided to build our own 24-megawatt, oil-fired power plant. We will be independent of KESH."

The performance of KESH compared with other European power utilities remains quite poor. One-third of power generated is still being lost, two-thirds of it through theft. Power outages and devastating voltage fluctuations are common in the heavy industry zones outside the capital, Tirana.

The problem behind the crises

Before the collapse of the communist regime Albania was an energy exporter. After the collapse of the regime the country fell into deep crises. In the early 1990s the power outages were caused by inefficiencies in the distribution and transmission network, while in the last years the crises are attributed to shortages in supply and resources.

Albania has an inadequate power plant capacity in face of growing demand. According to data from the Albanian Energy Corporation (KESH) the generating capacity of electricity was reduced by 14 percent in the last decade. Such diminished capacity has contributed in the decrease in domestic supply as demand has been constantly increasing. According to KESH domestic production satisfied 97 percent of the demand in 1990, while in 2001 it satisfied only 47 percent. An important factor contributing to the energy shortages are the high levels of energy loss. According to KESH experts, technical and non-technical losses amount to 14 percent of the electricity supply, or 56 percent of the domestic supply.

The power grid

The electricity transmission and distribution network is not able to face the increasing demand for electricity in the market. To match the demand for electricity KESH has been forced to increase imports; however, such imports cannot satisfy total demand because the import capacity is limited by the capacity of the interconnection lines linking Albanian to international networks.

Alternative sources

Almost all of Albania's electricity comes from hydro power plants. Prolonged droughts in the country have had a negative impact on the country's production capacities; in addition no investments in new power plants have been realized in 15 years. There are plans to construct a new thermoelectric power plant in the city of Vlora; however such plans have been faced with popular discontent. An interests group called Citizens Alliance for the Development of Vlora's Bay have organized a series of protest requesting a referendum.

http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=334140&rel_no=1

European Nickel PLC stated that it had found two deposits of nickel minerals in the korce area of which it has an exploration permit.

http://www.hemscott.com/news/latest-news/item.do?newsId=38141457176702

Harta dixhitale, shtate kompani ne gare
E Marte, 12 Dhjetor 2006

Shtate kompani te huaja kane marre pjese ne tenderin e hapur nderkombetar per harten dixhitale te territorit te Shqiperise. Dje jane hapur ofertat e shtate kompanive, te cilat do te realizojne te paren harte dixhitale te vendit tone dhe diten e premte do te shpallet kompania fituese. Kane qene gjithsej 19 kompani qe kane terhequr dokumentet per te marre pjese ne kete tender, por vetem shtate prej tyre jane paraqitur. Vladimir Kavaja, kryetar i Komisionit te Vleresimit te Ofertave, deklaroi dje se “ALUIZNI ka vene ne dispozicion te tenderit vleren prej 500 milione lekesh per fotografimin e gjithe territorit te vendit dhe realizimin e hartes dixhitale te tij”. Kompanite pjesemarrese ne tender jane nga Austria, Kroacia, Italia, Franca, Izraeli, si dhe nje kompani e perbashket japonezo-finlandeze. Nepermjet ketij fotografimi do te perfitohen hartat e para dixhitale ne vend, me ane te se cilave do te realizohet procesi i verifikimit te formulareve te vetedeklarimit. Kjo harte mendohet te kete data base-in me te forte, qe do te perdoret jo vetem per procesin e legalizimeve, por edhe per ndertimin e sistemit kombetar te adresave, si dhe per funksione te tjera. Hartat dixhitale te zonave informale do te bejne te mundur identifikimin e te gjitha ndertimeve te paligjshme, si dhe do te ndihmojne edhe ne identifikimin e ndertimeve pa leje te ndertuara pas hyrjes ne fuqi te ligjit per legalizimet. Keto ndertime, ne baze te ligjit, do te shemben nga Policia Ndertimore. Te gjitha hartat do t’u jepen shume shpejt ne perdorim njesive te ALUIZNI-t ne te 12 qarqet e vendit, ne menyre qe te vazhdohet me zbatimin e procesit.

Kompanite:

"Meixner Vermessung zt" Gmbh 4.070.000 euro

"Geofoto" 2.266.026.70 euro

"Compania Generale Ripreseaeree" 3.482.860.80 euro

"SMA Basilicata" 3.155.653 euro

"IGN France international" 2.965.000 euro

"Operational Management Crisis Containment System" 3.824.552 euro

"Pasco Coorporation FINMAP" 3.609.811 euro.

Në mars të vitit 2007 fillojne punimet për TEC-in e Fierit

15/12/06


TEC-i i Fierit, projekti gjigant me vlerë 1.9 miliardë dollarë është në pritje të mbledhjes së radhës të Këshillit të Rregullimit të Territorit të Republikës së Shqipërisë.

Pas miratimit të lejes për ndërtimin e stacionit të rigazifikimit, kompania shumëkombëshe ASG Power do t’i paraqesë qeverisë të gjitha të dhënat e nevojshme për ndërtimin e Tec-it.

Sipas njërit prej përfaqësuesve të ASG Power, Alban Bala “Të gjitha studimet kanë përfunduar dhe pritet që në mbledhjen e radhës të KRRTRSH-së me datë 20 Dhjetor t’i jepet miratimi për nisjen e punimeve”.

Punimet për ndërtimin e TEC-it të Fierit priten të nisin në pranverën e vitit të ardhshëm dhe të përfundojnë pas 18 muajsh.

Sipas Balës, kapaciteti i TEC-it është i ndarë në tri faza nga 400 MW, me një volum gazi që do të përpunohet gati 10 miliardë m3 dhe ku lënda e parë është “gaz natyror i lëngshëm (LNG)”.

Për projektin gjigant me përmasa 850 m x 1500 m, investitorët kanë pranuar ta zhvendosin me në lindje, për të reduktuar dëmtimin e masës së gjelbër të pyllit.

Qeveria Shqiptare do të përfitojë nga ky projekt një sasi energjie për të mbuluar të gjitha nevojat e brendshme të vendit me çmimin e kostos së prodhimit.

Ky çmim është ndjeshëm me i ulet se çmimi aktual i blerjes së tij në tregun ndërkombëtar.

Krijimi i kësaj qendre energjetike do të balancojë rrjetin elektrik të Shqipërisë duke ulur në minimum humbjet teknike të transferimit të energjisë nga veriu në jug të vendit.

Punimet e ndërtimit do të zgjasin 18 muaj dhe në kantier do të punësohen me kohë të plotë 3,500 punonjës ku një pjesë e mirë e tyre do të jenë të specializuar ndërsa për një pjesë tjetër specialistësh, kompania do të vlerësojë nevojat dhe mundësitë konkrete të trajnimit profesional.

“Punësimi do të përfshijë komunat që prek investimi si dhe qytetin e Fierit.

Në fazën e shfrytëzimit mbi 350 punonjës specialistë do të punësohen në kohë të plotë.

Hyrja financiare nga konsumi ushqimor i kantierit me 3,500 punonjës në 18 muaj do të jetë mes 10-13 milion USD, për një shpenzim mesatar ditor prej 5-7 USD.

Ndërsa hyrja financiare në rrethin e Fierit nga punësimi i 3,500 personave me një të ardhur mesatare $350/muaj, do të arrijë gjatë periudhës së ndërtimit në mbi 22 milionë USD”.

Importet e fqinjëve asfiksojnë tregun

Në nëntë muaj thellohet me 5,1% deficiti tregtar, pritet rritje çmimeve

Në muajin shtator të vitit 2006 u eksportuan 6,6 miliardë lekë mallra, me rritje 7,8 për qind në krahasim me muajin shtator të 2005 dhe rritje 46,1 për qind në krahasim me muajin gusht 2006. Gjatë këtij muaji u importuan 24 miliardë lekëmallra me rritje 5,6 për qind në krahasim me muajin shtator të 2005 dhe rritje 6,5 për qind në krahasim me muajin gusht 2006. Deficiti tregtar i këtij muaji është 18,2 miliardë lekë, duke shënuar një ulje prej 3 për qind, krahasuar me muajin paraardhës dhe një rritje prej 5,1 për qind krahasuar me muajin respektiv të vitit 2005. Tregtia me vendet e Bashkimit Evropian zuri 67,6 për qind. Partnerët kryesorë tregtarë vazhdojnë të jenë Italia dhe Greqia. Me Italinë eksporti është 76,6 për qind dhe importi 27,9 për qind, kurse me Greqinë, eksporti është 5,5 për qind dhe importi 17,3 për qind. Disa nga partnerët tanë tregtarë, me të cilët eksporti dhe importi është rritur, janë: për eksportin, Danimarkë, Itali, Spanjë, Suedi etj., dhe për importin, Greqi, Itali, Maqedoni, Turqi etj.

Importet e mallrave nga Bullgaria gjatë 9-mujorit të parë të vitit, kanë arritur në vlerën 6260 milionë lekë, nga 5260 milionë lekë, në të njëjtën periudhë të vitit 2005.
Sipas INSTAT-it, kryesisht importet e produkteve të Bullgarisë janë ato ushqimore, prodhime plastike etj. Ndërsa eksportet shqiptare, qëndrojnë në vlera më të ulëta, ndonëse vihet re një rritje, krahasuar me të njëjtën periudhë të vitit 2005. Për 9 muajt e parë të këtij viti, eksportet shqiptare drejt tregjeve të Bullgarisë, arritën në vlerën 276 milionë lekë, kryesisht prodhime minerale, nga 256 milionë lekë mallra në vitin 2005.

Krahasimi me muajin paraardhës për disa nga grup-mallrat tregon që eksporti i grupit "Prodhime druri dhe letre" u rrit 77,8 për qind, "Tekstile dhe këpucë" u rrit 55,6 për qind, ndërsa eksporti i grupit "Produkte kimike dhe plastike" u ul 13,5 për qind. Importi i grupit "Tekstile dhe këpucë" u rrit 42,8 për qind, "Materiale ndërtimi dhe metale" u rrit 40,4 për qind, ndërsa importi i grupit "Ushqime, pije, duhan" u ul 19,4 për qind dhe grupi "Minerale, lëndë djegëse, energji elektrike" u ul 5,9 për qind etj. Në muajin shtator 2006, importi i mallrave me akcizë arriti vlerën 3 miliardë lekë, duke zënë 12 për qind ndaj totalit të importit. Krahasuar me shtatorin e 2005, importi i mallrave me akcizë ka pasur ulje prej 8,3 për qind. Peshën më të madhe të këtyre mallrave e zënë nënproduktet e naftës (76,8 për qind).


Efektet e deficitit

Thellim i deficitit tregtar, do të thotë një përkeqësim i raportit eksport-import, që regjistrohet në doganat shqiptare si pasojë e shkëmbimeve tregtare. Një rritje e deficitit tregtar, rrit në radhë të parë volumin e mallrave me origjinë jovendase, duke ushtruar presion ndaj prodhimit vendas. Kostoja e produkteve të importit është me e lartë se ato vendase dhe si pasojë çmimet në treg janë të kushtëzuara nga tregu rajonal dhe më gjerë. Me rritjen e deficitit ato rriten vazhdimisht, ndërkohë që presione dobësimi ndjen edhe monedha vendase, gjë që jep efektet e veta në politikat bankare. Në raportin e BSH-së thuhet se karakteristika dalluese të periudhës së parë krahasuar me të njëjtën periudhë të vitit 2005, janë rritja më e shpejtë e importeve në raport me rritjen e eksporteve dhe rritja e vëllimit të transaksioneve. Krahasuar me një vit më parë, janë importuar më shumë produkte ushqimore dhe produkte minerale, materiale bazë dhe mjete transporti. Rritja e importeve në këto grup-mallra është një tregues i zhvillimeve pozitive në sektorin e prodhimit. Edhe ky raport tregon përkeqësimin e bilancit të tregtisë. Në një perspektivë afatgjatë, bilanci i akumuluar i deficitit tregtar të mallrave për 12 muajt e fundit (deri në mars 2006), kapi vlerën prej 1.5 miliardë eurosh nga 1.2 miliardë euro që ishte deficiti i akumuluar i 12 muajve të fundit, deri në muajin mars të vitit 2005.

TEC-i, brenda 2 javesh kontrata
E Diele, 17 Dhjetor 2006

Brenda dy javesh do te nenshkruhet kontrata me firmen qe do te ndertoje TEC-in ne qytetin e Vlores, “Maier Inginering”. Pas shume perplasjesh per vendin e ndertimit te kesaj vepre qe parashikohet te zgjidhe problemin e furnizimit me energji te Shqiperise, eshte vendosur qe te mos ndryshohet asgje, duke e lene ne Pyllin e Sodes ne qytetin e Vlores. Firma “Maier Inginering” eshte nje konsorcium, ne perberje te se cilit jane dy kompani italiane “Ansaldo” dhe “Tecnomod”, te njohura ne ndertimin e prodhuesve energjetike. Mesohet se ndertimi i TEC-it eshte parashikuar te nise ne fillimin e vitit te ardhshem dhe te perfundoje brenda nje afati prej 15 muajsh. Nga 13 kompani qe kane hyre ne gare per ndertimin e TEC-it te Vlores, vetem kater prej tyre arriten te kualifikohen. Me konkretisht, ne kete gare u futen “Siemens"AG, nje konsorcium i perbere nga kompania amerikane "General Electric" dhe "Iberdrola" nga Spanja, "Bhel"- nje kompani indiane, e cila ka licence nga "General Electric", si dhe konsorciumi fitues "Maier Inginering". Megjithese sipas drejtuesve te KESH-it parashikimet per ndertimit e TEC-it ne Vlore ishin ne fund te ketij viti, duket se fillimi i vitit te ardhshem eshte vleresuar si periudha me e pershtatshme.

Prezantohet marrëveshja e tregtisë së lirë

Njohja e operatorëve të biznesit në zonën veriore të vendit, si dhe e personelit të të gjitha doganave të këtij rajoni, me marrëveshjen e tregtisë së lirë me vendet e Bashkimit Evropian, e cila ka hyrë në fuqi më datë 1 dhjetor të këtij viti, ishte qëllimi i një takimi të zhvilluar në Shkodër nga Drejtoria e Përgjithshme e Doganave, në bashkëpunim me misionin KAFAO- Albania. Në këtë takim, të cilësuar si tepër të rëndësishëm nga drejtuesit e doganave shqiptare dhe të misionit KAFAO, morën pjesë operatorët e biznesit dhe personeli i doganës së Shkodrës.

Në takimin trajnues me titull “Origjina e mallrave, certifikata euro” mori pjesë edhe drejtori i Përgjithshëm i Doganave shqiptare, Përparim Dervishi, i cili së bashku me specialistët e kësaj drejtorie bënë sqarimin e detajuar të të gjitha procedurave të funksionimit tregtar mes Shqipërisë dhe vendeve të Bashkimit Evropian.

Në takim, specialistët e Drejtorisë së Doganave sqaruan për të pranishmit se taksën zero e marrin të gjithë ato mallra të origjinës, të cilat certifikohen me anë të një dokumentacion faktues. Përveç tyre, taksa zero pritet të përfshijë edhe ndërmarrjet që punojnë me materiale të porositësve të huaj, duke u dhënë edhe atyre të drejtën e origjinës shqiptare të prodhimit. Taksa zero, theksuan specialistët e doganave, do të përfshijë edhe prodhimet industrialo-bujqësore, që quhen të preferencës.

Në lidhje me marrëveshjen e ndërmjetme me partnerët evropianë, të datës 1 dhjetor të këtij viti, kryedoganieri Dervishi theksoi se, krahas avantazheve, kjo marrëveshje sjell edhe detyra të reja, të cilat duhen zbatuar me përpikmëri. Ndër detyrat e dala nga kjo marrëveshje, Dervishi përmendi njohjen mirë të veprimtarisë së biznesit, njohjen e tarifave të reja, njohjen e artikujve që nuk duhet të kenë ngarkesë doganore, njohja e origjinës së mallit, kushtet që duhen plotësuar nga mallrat tanë që shkojnë për eksport, si dhe kushtet që duhen të plotësohen nga mallrat e huaj që importohen.

a ka mundesi te ma shpjegoje ndonjeri ketep gdp dhe ppp purchasing power parity se nuk i marr vesh. pse njera eshte sa gjysma e tjetres? kush eshte treguesi i vertete?

greku si grek qe eshte na merr vetem 5 % te eskporteve dhe na rras 17 % te importeve. shiko italiani 70 e kusur me 29 %. te mos qe italiani do ishim zhytur ne borxhe.

gdp and gdp per capita (non PPP) measure the economic production of a country annually and the income per head. they are measured in the international dollar and doe snot take into effect consumer products and how much purchasing power the citizens have in their country. It's a good comparison because it puts everyone on a flat field.

gdp and gdp per capita (PPP) also measure the economic production of a country annually and the income per head. they also use the international dollar but they take into account the purchasing power of the citizens in the country. These are based on consumer products prices. For example how much a pepsi will cost in albania as compared to greece. in albania you can buy alot more with 100 euros then in greece. this is what PPP is used for. maybe i'm wrong so someone can correct me if i am.

Konfirmohet fondi 80 milion eurosh, për ujërat e zeza

Ministri i Transporteve, në një vizitë zyrtare në Japoni ka konfirmuar marrjen e 80 milionë eurove kredi për konstruksionin e ujërave të zeza në Tiranë. Basha ka siguruar me drejtues të Bankës për Zhvillim të Japonisë mbështetjen për këtë kredi të butë për Impiantin e Pastrimit për Tiranen e Madhe. Projekti do te sigurojë një zgjedhje teknike të qëndrueshme në problemet aktuale të ndotjes, duke çuar ne një përmirësim esencial të shërbimit të mbledhjes dhe largimit të Ujërave të ndotura për komunitetet dhe një pastrim të konsiderueshëm të ambientit. Studimi i fizibilitetit po realizohet nga Agjensia Japoneze e bashkëpunimit ndërkombëtar dhe do të jetë gati në fund të muajin Dhjetor. Projekti në fjalë ka si synim të zgjidhi problemin e ujërave të zeza, për një kohë afatgjatë për një metropol si Tirana. Në këto takime u disktua gjerësisht për zgjerimin e bashkëpunimit ekonomik dhe politik mes dy vendeve. Autoritet japoneze kanë shprehur gatishmërinë e tyre për të vazhduar ndihmën dhe asistencën në sektorin e infrastrukturës. Ministri Basha ka zhvilluar gjithashtu takime dhe me investitore të rëndësishëm Japonez, si përfaqësues të Mitsubishit, drejtues të dhomës së tregtisë etj.

By Cihan News Agency
Saturday, December 23, 2006
zaman.com

Turkish Foreign Trade Minister Kursat Tuzmen and Albanian Miniser of Economics, Commerce and Energy Genc Ruli have signed a free trade agreement in the Albanian capital of Tirana.

Tuzmen, who has been in Tirana to hold talks with Albanian officials, inked the agreement on Friday.

According to the agreement, no tariffs will be put on Albanian industrial goods exported to Turkey and tariffs for certain Turkish products will be reduced before they will eventually be exempted in five years. Albania will also apply certain tax exemptions to attract Turkish investors.

The agreement, which envisages increase of bilateral commercial relations and investments, will enter into force following its ratification in the parliaments of the two countries.

http://www.zaman.com/?bl=hotnews&alt=&trh=20061223&hn=39447

Tirana, 22 Dec. 2006 (AENews) – Bank of Albania (BoA) announced today that it has successfully issued the first ever Euro denominated Treasury bills. Diversifying currency of Albania’s public debt and introducing a longer maturity average are the main priority in managing debt for the government, BoA statement said.

Five different offers from local banks out of 19, were accepted in the special bid on Thursday.

Total traded volume was EUR 45 million. Euro denominated treasury bills has a maturity of 273 days and an average yield of 5.024 percent.

Internal public debt of GOA reaches Lek 316 BN at the end of 2005, (EUR 2.54 BN, USD 3.36 BN).

http://www.albanianeconomy.com/content/view/204/33/

Balkan leaders gathered in Bucharest to sign a deal that would expand the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). The group, which originally included Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Macedonia, will now be joined by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo. Bulgaria and Romania, however, will drop out after their EU accessions in January.

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2006/12/26/roundup-dd-04

Ekonomia, ku do shkojmë në 2007-ën

Në mbyllje të këtij viti buxhetor, ekonomia shqiptare ka shënuar zhvillime pozitive në disa sektorë të saj, duke përmirësuar me hapin e përvitshëm treguesit ekonomiko-financiarë, ndërkohë që ka mbetur mbrapa në realizimin e disa prioriteteve, që kanë të bëjnë me xhepat e konsumatorëve. Edhe për vitin 2007, qeveria ka vendosur shinat në të cilat do të ecë ekonomia për sa i përket reformave, të cilat duket se do të jenë të kujdesshme dhe jo radikale. Operacioni do të përfshijë politikat fiskale dhe sistemin e pagave, i mbështetur në rekomandimet e FMN-së dhe në programin afatmesëm 2007-2009. Objektivat e vendosura nga vetë qeveria janë ruajtja e ritmit të rritjes me 6 për qind, mbajtja e deficitit të përgjithshëm buxhetor në nivele të pranueshme duke arritur në 4,77% të PBB-së, si dhe zbutja e politikës së taksave. Fushat prioritare të shpenzimeve do të mbeten shëndetësia, arsimi dhe investimet në infrastrukturë, duke garantuar një kontroll të plotë mbi inflacionin në parametrat deklaruara prej 2-4 për qind

Sistemi i pagave
Për vitin 2007 qeveria do të vazhdojë rritjen e pagave për të gjitha kategoritë e buxhetorëve, ku përparësi do të kenë sërish arsimi dhe shëndetësia, me një rritje 20 për qind, ndërsa për pjesën tjetër rritja do të shkojë në 6 për qind. Nga 1 janari i vitit të ardhshëm do të ndryshojë edhe piramida e pensioneve, ku sipas vendimit të qeverisë niveli minimal për pensionet e fshatit do të jetë 5 mijë lekë, ndërsa për ato të qytetit 10 mijë lekë.

Sistemi i taksave
Një ndryshim tjetër i rëndësishëm do të jetë ndërhyrja në sistemin e taksave, ku pritet që në muajin korrik qeveria të propozojë një paketë të re fiskale, në të cilën do të merren një sërë masash. Në paketë fiskale të 2007-ës parashikohet ulja e TVSH-së vetëm për energjinë me 1 për qind, duke shkuar në 19 nga 20 që është aktualisht, ndërkohë që është ende duke u diskutuar diferencimi e saj për mallrat e tjerë të shportës. Kjo ulje do të shënojë shkallën e dytë për TVSH-në e energjisë, ku synimi i qeverisë është që TVSH-ja të vijë duke u ulur çdo vit me 1 pikë përqindje dhe kjo do të fillojë në korrik të 2007-ës. Në paketën fiskale të vitit 2007, qeveria do të parashikojë një rritje tjetër për akcizën e mallrave, përfshi këtu edhe duhanin dhe pijet alkoolike.

Numri i punës
Nga janari i vitit të ardhshëm, qeveria ka premtuar zbatimin e skemës për pajisjen e çdo qytetari me një numër personal pune, ose thënë ndryshe numër personal identifikimi të të gjitha derdhjeve për taksat që ai paguan. Në këtë mënyrë, administrata do ta ketë më të lehtë të kontrollojë të ardhurat e çdo qytetari, si dhe burimin e tyre, duke tatuar mbi një bazë reale të ardhurat personale të gjithsecilit.

source: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2006/02/data/weorept.aspx?sy=2006&ey=2007&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=subject&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=9&pr1.y=5&c=914%2C962%2C963%2C918%2C960%2C968%2C965%2C961%2C186&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a=

GDP
in billions of dollars

Albania - 10.053
Bosnia and Herzegovina - 11.045
Bulgaria - 31.012
Croatia - 46.873
Macedonia - 6.228
Romania - 136.674
Serbia - 30.969
Slovenia - 36.800
Turkey - 400.367

GDP per capita
in dollars

Albania - 3,174.856
Bosnia and Herzegovina - 2,774.030
Bulgaria - 4,074.664
Croatia - 10,559.283
Macedonia - 3,039.689
Romania - 6,338.053
Serbia - 3,699.554
Slovenia - 18,346.115
Turkey - 5,416.643

GDP per capita (PPP)
in dollars

Albania - 6,258.673
Bosnia and Herzegovina - 6,884.079
Bulgaria - 10,843.867
Croatia - 13,923.014
Macedonia - 8,737.912
Romania - 10,152.334
Serbia - 6,111.850
Slovenia - 24,459.142
Turkey - 8,838.599

Luxembourg, Luxemburg - The European Investment Bank (EIB) lends EUR 18 million for the extension and modernisation of the Port of Durrës in Albania. Port of Durrës is the most important port of Albania - a vital interface of the country at the Adriatic coast linking Albania with other Mediterranean countries and representing a starting point on the Pan-European corridor VIII providing connection with the FYR of Macedonia and Bulgaria.

The EIB loan will finance the upgrading of the existing ferry terminal on-shore facilities; construction of a passenger terminal building with footbridge access from Durrës railway station, a drivers' facilities building, customs facilities and a new paving and drainage infrastructure in the ferry terminal yard. The project will increase the ferry terminal capacity and upgrade facilities for passengers and drivers to modern standards.

The new terminal building will have peak vehicle handling capacities of 90 arriving/140 departing trucks and 520 arriving/750 departing cars, representing the full load of at least two ferries. There will also be space for 170 trailers. The maximum capacity of the building and facilities will be 1 900 passengers on foot.

Source: European Investment Bank (EIB)

http://www.infrasite.nl/news/news_article.php?ID_nieuwsberichten=6177&language=en

ITALY IS ALBANIA'S FIRST TRADE PARTNER, REPORT

ROME, DECEMBER 18 - Commercial exchange between Italy and Albania has reached 1.1 billion euro this year according to the office of Foreign Trade in Tirana. Italian exports totalled 650 million euro compared with 450 million euro in Albania imports. Furthermore, 92% of Italian businesses operating in Albania have over twenty years experience while 99% of the Albanian firms have been active since 1992, the year Albania opened towards the west. A total of 66% of Italian firms actively engaged in business in Albania come from the central-north; Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, and Lazio. While 80% of the Albanian businesses actively engaged in development are from the central-south; Tirana, Durazzo, Vlona, Lushnje, Korce, Fier, Gjirokastra, Berat. The south of Albania is more economically developed than the north.

Shteti do të mbulojë deri në 50 për qind të kostos për eksportuesit


Albinvesti, Agjencia e Privatizimeve dhe Investimeve, do të ndërmarrë një nismë vitin e ardhshëm. Nisma është një mekanizëm stimulues për kompanitë eksportuese, duke mbuluar deri në 50 për qind të kostove të shpenzimeve të tyre për zbatimin e strategjive dhe programeve të marketingut për produktet dhe shërbimet që ato do të ofrojnë në tregun ndërkombëtar. Konsolidimi dhe ndërtimi institucioneve shtetërore dhe private që merren me vlerësimin dhe certifikimin e cilësisë së produkteve dhe shërbimeve, duke filluar që nga lendet e para, kushtet e prodhimit, manipulimit deri në kushtet e ruajtjes dhe konsumit të tyre. Në këto institucione futen ato të Metrologjisë-Kalibrimit, Standardet, Konformitetit, Akreditimit, Analizave Laboratorike e Mikrobiologjike, Kodifikimin etj. Të gjitha këto institucione, që bëjnë pjesë në infrastrukturën e cilësisë, vlerësohen shumë të domosdoshme për të mundësuar dhe rritur sigurinë dhe shanset e prodhimeve shqiptare jo vetëm për të dalë në eksport, por edhe për tregun e brendshëm. Ngritja dhe konsolidimi i institucioneve dhe inspektorateve që të mundësojnë regjistrimin, certifikimin e subjekteve prodhues dhe bizneseve të ndryshme në Shqipëri shihet si tepër e domosdoshme. Këto institucione do të merren me regjistrimin e gjësë së gjallë, pemëtarisë, kadastrimi i tokës dhe përbërjes së saj, regjistrimi dhe certifikimi i stabilimenteve të kafshëve, fermave, përpunimit të produkteve ushqimore, të konservimit të perimeve, peshkut, mishit, stabilimentet e shfrytëzimit të mineraleve, prodhimeve produkteve industriale dhe respektimit të normave të mjedisit etj. Këto institucione dhe informacione të tyre rrisin sigurinë, lehtësojnë dhe mundësojnë futjen e këtyre produkteve në tregjet e BE-së. Deri tani Shqipëria ka qenë nën presionin e embargove të vendeve të BE-së, të cilat nuk pranonin produkte ushqimore nga vendi ynë. Për pasojë, prodhuesit tanë ishin të detyruar që çdo produkt, pavarësisht cilësisë, ta tregtonin vetëm në Shqipëri. Ndërsa në vitin e fundit shteti shqiptar nisi përpjekjet për të promovuar dhe për të nxjerrë për eksport mjaft produkte shqiptare, duke nisur që nga ato bujqësore dhe biologjikisht të pastra, deri tek ato të detit. Lidhur me të parat, ato kanë patur sukses dhe kanë nisur të tërhiqen nga disa prej vendeve më të fuqishme të BE-së, si Britania e Madhe apo Gjermania. Ndërkohë produktet e detit, nuk kanë gjetur akoma hapësirën e duhur për eksport, pasi organizmat e BE-së që merren me kontrollin e tyre i konsiderojnë ende si jashtë standardeve të sigurisë këto pr

The Albanian power utility KESH said it plans to invest over 452m euros in the rehabilitation and upgrade of the national energy system. Among other projects, the funds will go towards modernising the electricity transmission and power distribution networks.

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2007/01/05/roundup-bs-04

The Croatian company Geofoto won the tender for creating a digital map of Albania. The firm bid 4.1m euros, beating out France's IGN France International. The digital map should be drafted by the end of 2007 and will be used for the land legalisation process in Albania.

http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2007/01/08/roundup-st-03

Tirana, 26 Jan. 2007 (AENews) – KESH announced today that construction of the first major thermal plant in Albania was in February of this year. This will be Albania’s first important energy generation plant since 1986.

"We have signed today the final contract for the construction of Thermal Power Plant in Vlora where and the works will begin early in February", Mr. Muharrem Stojku, director for production management told to the journalists today.

The new thermal power plant will be build near Vlora, in the south coast, with an installed capacity of 100 MW. Estimated cost is EUR 90 million while energy production should start in early 2008, according to KESH.

The last Power Plant build in Albania was inaugurated in 1986 near the Koman hydropower plant in the north of the country. The electricity produced in Vlora is expected to run an average costs of 4 eurocents for kWh. The new Thermo Power Plant will work with diesel engines.

Presidenti i kompanise "Global Wood Holding", Aldo Bonaldi, i prezantoi sot Kryeministrit Sali Berisha nje projekt per ndertimin e nje TEC-i me fuqi prej 400 megavat, te nje teknologjie te re ekologjike qe konsiston ne prodhimin e energjise mbi nje lende djegese druri.

Gjate takimit te zhvilluar ne seline e Keshillit te Ministrave, Kryeministri Berisha, u garantoi perfaqesuesve te kesaj kompanie, te kryesuar nga Presidenti Bonaldi, se projekti i tyre do te vleresohet e procedohet per zbatimin e tij sa me shpejt te jete e mundur, konform ligjeve te vendit.

Kryeministri i prezantoi perfaqesuesve te "Global Wood Holding" situaten ekonomike dhe energjetike ne Shqiperi si dhe investimet e shumta qe jane prezantuar dhe kane filluar nga konkretizimi.

^^ Burning wood to produce electricity? NO F*****G WAY!!!

Na cane karin keto kompani fantazma qe gjoja do vijne ne Shqiperi te investojne. Po te kerkosh ne internet Global Wood Holding ose Aldo Bonaldi vetem lidhje shqiptare gjen. E njejta gje me ate ASG.

Well the Kuwaities were just on an official visit and they've done a few investments in Albania worth mentioning so lets see if they dont come up with something new.

Also in the news, Eagle Mobile is supposed to start operating in March 2008.

What do you mean excatly with the part about Kuwaitis?

I cant pronounce the dudes name but the article is here;

SHQIPERI-KUVAJT, NDJENJAT MIQESORE MES DY VENDEVE DO TE KONSOLIDOHEN DHE ZHVILLOHEN GJITHNJE E ME SHUME


"Shqiperia dhe Kuvajti jane dy vende mike, te cilat japin nje kontribut dhe ndihmesen e tyre ne luften kunder terrorizmit nderkombetar, qe deshirojne qe ndjenjat miqesore midis vendeve dhe kombeve te konsolidohen e zhvillohen gjithnje e me shume", u shpreh sot (e merkure) Kryeministri Sali Berisha.

Gjate nje konference te perbashket per shtyp, pas takimit me Kryeministrin e Kuvajtit, Sheik Naser Al Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Kryeministri Berisha, pasi shprehu kenaqesine e madhe qe pret lartesine e tij, Kryeministrin e shtetit te Kuvajtit, ne nje vizite te pare te ketij niveli ne Shqiperi, tha se "dua t’ju jap nje mireseardhje te perzemert, t’ju siguroj se jemi nje vend mik, qe ka shume mirenjohje dhe respekt per vendin tuaj".

Duke u ndalur ne marreveshjet e nenshkruara sot per bashkepunim mes dy vendeve, Kryeministri Berisha theksoi se "ne asistuam ne nje moment shume te rendesishem te marredhenieve midis dy vendeve tona, ne nenshkrimin e marreveshjeve, per te cilat administratat tona kane punuar me perkushtim dhe qe perbejne nje baze te fuqishme ligjore ne zhvillimin e marredhenieve miqesore midis te dy vendeve ne te gjitha fushat".

"Ne i jemi mirenjohes vendit tuaj per te gjithe mbeshtetjen e fuqishme qe na ka dhene, qe nga fillimi i viteve ’90 deri me sot. Nje nga vendet e para qe kam vizituar ne Azi ka qene vendi juaj mik. Ruaj kujtimin me te mire nga i ndjeri, Emiri Al Sabah, i cili me bujarine e tij, me ndjenjat miqesore, ndihmoi shume per kapercimin e veshtiresive te asaj periudhe", tha Kryeministri. Sipas tij, "qe nga ajo kohe e ne vazhdim, Fondi i Kuvajtit eshte nje donator jashtezakonisht i rendesishem ne nje seri projektesh, te cilat mbulojne pothuajse te gjitha fushat, infrastrukturen, bujqesine, arsimin, shendetesine dhe fusha te tjera".

Me tej, ne fjalen e tij, zoti Berisha tha se "njesite tona kane gjetur mbeshtetje te fuqishme ne vendin tuaj ne permbushje te misionit te tyre ne Irak, ne kemi mbeshtetur çeshtjen e drejte te kombit tuaj, kam qene deshmitar i plageve qe lufta dhe agresioni iraken i krijoi vendit tuaj, por dhe i shpejtesise me te cilat kombi juaj i sheroi ato". "Ne kemi mbeshtetur plotesisht nderhyrjen e Shteteve te Bashkuara ne Irak, sepse ne bindjen tone, bota pa Sadam Hyseinin eshte shume me e lire dhe me e sigurte, dhe keshtu eshte pa Sllobodan Millosheviçin, ndaj dhe kemi bere vetem detyren", theksoi ne kete kontekst zoti Berisha.

Ndersa shprehu kenaqesine qe investitori kryesor ne vend eshte Al-Karab, investitor i ndershem, i respektuar, qe pershin te gjitha fushat me investimet e tij, Kryeministri Berisha u shpreh se "uroj dhe deshiroj qe grupi i investitoreve qe ju shoqeron te perfitoje nga kjo vizite dhe te vendose qe projekte te tjera te zbatoje ne Shqiperi ne te gjitha fushat". Ai i siguroi investitoret kuvajtiane se kane mbrojtje te plote kushtetuese dhe ligjore ne Shqiperi per investimet e tyre. Ne kete kontekst, Kryeministri Berisha shtoi se "ka legjislacion shume te mire dhe ajo ç’ka eshte me e rendesishme, ne ne 1 janar do te jemi vendi me barren fiskale me te ulet ne Europe".

"Ne jemi gjeografikisht shume mire te vendosur, jemi porta e Ballkanit dhe Europes. Prodhimet ne Shqiperi jane 'Made in Europa', ka nje treg te madh, nje zone e tregtise se lire shtrihet nga Kroacia ne Moldavi, por ne gjithmone e me shume po afrohemi me BE-ne", tha Kryeministri. Ai shtoi se "Shqiperia perballet sot me probleme kryesore siç eshte balancimi i prodhimit te energjise, permiresimi e infrastruktures", ndersa vleresoi se "çdo kontribut dhe ndihma juaj ne keto drejtime do te jete e mirepritur".

^^ I see, the Kuwaiti PM was in a state visit. IF they want to atract Arab investors, they should court Dubai and not Kuwait or even Abu Dhabi.

Market to Dubai World (World's 3rd Biggest Port Operator) the Port of Durres, market the tourism potentials, and if they see interest they will put money where the mouth is, faster then anyone else.

Altin, do some lobbying while your down there, get them to invest and get yourself a executive position. What do you do down there anyway?

Albanian Airways is owned by a Kuwaiti group.

^^ I know very well who ownes the AA and Al Kheraffi Group (one of the biggest in Kuwait) builded and ownes Sheraton Tirana as well.


BTW I work as window cleaner overhere. Business is getting better and better ... been very busy lately with all the new towers comming up. :D

"Ne jemi gjeografikisht shume mire te vendosur, jemi porta e Ballkanit dhe Europes. Prodhimet ne Shqiperi jane 'Made in Europa', ka nje treg te madh, nje zone e tregtise se lire shtrihet nga Kroacia ne Moldavi, por ne gjithmone e me shume po afrohemi me BE-ne", tha Kryeministri. Ai shtoi se "Shqiperia perballet sot me probleme kryesore siç eshte balancimi i prodhimit te energjise, permiresimi e infrastruktures", ndersa vleresoi se "çdo kontribut dhe ndihma juaj ne keto drejtime do te jete e mirepritur".

Ky ka rrjedhur komplet. Pret ndihma nga Kuvajti kur Shqiperia eshte ne zemer te Evropes.

^^ Evropa ka qene gjithnje ne "zemer" te Evropes ... dhe duhet thene qe Evropa bashke me Evropianet, e kane pasur gjithnje "per zemer" Shiperine.

^^ That poem on your signature is powerful!

^^ It's not a poem, is a song lyrics by a British artist.

Yes...Stereotomy Lyrics by the Alan Parson Project.

Albania has signed a Memorandum of Understanding allowing it to participate in the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) on an equal footing with all EU Member States. The agreement was signed on 17 December.

The new 'Associated status' allows Albania to participate in all calls for proposals as of 1 January 2008. The agreement is regarded as an important step in the application process for EU membership as it allows scientists, universities and companies to forge links with their counterparts across Europe. The Commission expects that this will enable Albania to build up its scientific expertise, including in the scientific fields crucial to implementing some of the EU's legislation.

'I strongly believe that the countries of the Western Balkans have much to gain from participating in FP7 as part of their membership perspective,' said the EU's Science and Research Commissioner, Janez Potocnik. 'I applaud Albania for the decision which they are taking today to work with us and their regional partners.'

The agreement was signed by Mr Potocnik and Genc Pollo, Albania's Education and Science Minister, in Brussels.

FP7 has a budget of over 50 billion for the period 2007 to 2013.

For further information on international cooperation, please visit:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/index.cfm

Category: General policy
Data Source Provider: European Commission
Document Reference: Based on IP/07/1940
Subject Index: Coordination, Cooperation; Scientific Research

^^ I find odd for a EU institution official press release, to put the "Mr." title in front of their representatives, but not in front of some other county's Goverment Minister ... like it's not talking about humans. :weird:

Ky ka rrjedhur komplet. Pret ndihma nga Kuvajti kur Shqiperia eshte ne zemer te Evropes.

Nese komenti i tij do e bente nje njeri te rrjedhur atehere nuk do me vinte keq qe drejtuesit Shqiptar te rridhnin pak me shume...

Vienna - Austria's electricity provider EVN on Friday confirmed exclusive negotiations with Albania's government for the construction of three hydroelectric power stations on the river Devoll in south-eastern Albania. EVN won an international tender and will be working on terms of the concession with the government in Tirana in the next months, the company said.

The three power stations have a planned capacity of 400 megawatts, generating around 1,000 gigawatt hours per year. EVN did not comment on the project's cost, but Albanian media on Thursday reported an investment of 900 million euros.

EVN's activities in Albania were a "consequent continuation" of the company strategy in the Western Balkans region, the company, which is also active in Bulgaria and Macedonia, said.

The Austrian utility provider with a market capitalization of 3.4 billion euros runs water, thermal and wind power stations in Austria.

Albania is highly dependent on electricity imports, due to low domestic production and ever rising consumption and therefore has great interest in foreign investment.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/178438,austrias-evn-to-build-hydropower-plants-in-albania.html

Italian firm to build power link with Albania

MILAN: Italian construction and energy firm Moncada Costruzioni plans to start this year building a 400-kilovolt power link with Albania to boost electricity imports to Italy.

"We have received all necessary authorisations for building and starting up the line," a Moncada spokeswoman said on Monday, adding the company planned to start work this year.

The new power line with a capacity of 500 megawatts and total length of 145 km will connect Italy's southern port of Brindisi and Albania's Valona, with a 130 km long submarine link.

Moncada, says it is the fifth biggest Italian wind power generator and has a 105 MW installed capacity in the country, plans to build a 500 MW wind park in Albania to export electricity to Italy.

Moncada said it also planned to build a 400 KV power link between Italy and Tunisia with a 600 MW capacity, for which it has already received a favourable opinion from Italian power grid Terna.

nvm i misread

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 28, 2008) - Tirex Resources Ltd. ("Tirex") (TSX VENTURE:TXX) is pleased to announce that the core drill has started turning at the Mirdita Project. The start of drilling represents the commencement of an aggressive and intense phase of exploration at Mirdita.

Based on favourable results from ongoing research, geophysics and other fieldwork, Tirex has expanded the size of the drill program to 13,500 metres. Funding for the expansion of this initial phase of drilling is available, in part, due to the recent institutional financing at $2.75 per share.

One of the initial drill targets for the drill program is the Koshaj Deposit which is one of many deposits previously drilled and partially defined on the property by the State Mining Company. It was reported to be a zinc-rich deposit which was not mined because of a lack of zinc processing facilities. Tirex drill targets at Koshaj were identified by a combination of historical data compilation, results from the Tirex 2007 airborne geophysical survey and the follow up UTEM ground geophysical work.

Bryan Slusarchuk, CEO, states, "With the start of the drill program, Tirex enters into the most exciting phase of its short history. Until now the potential of the Mirdita Project was based on historical data, Tirex surface work and airborne geophysics. The drilling will now give us direct samples of what is in the ground and, we hope, the start of the next phase of dynamic growth in the company."

Tirex's focus is the exploration and development of the large 344 square kilometer Mirdita Property in Albania. The property is readily accessible by paved and gravel roads and is located 70 km north of the capital city of Tirana. The property covers the core of the historically productive Mirdita VMS base metal district. It represents an opportunity to explore copper, zinc, gold and silver zones that were previously partially mined, explored or evaluated at lower metal prices, and provides an opportunity to apply modern exploration techniques toward the discovery of new VMS deposits or extensions of known zones. The Mirdita exploration project is managed by an experienced team of five Canadian geologists and other professionals, and several senior Albanian geologists, geophysicists and surveyors.

Further details on the company and the Mirdita Project can be found on the Tirex website at www.TirexResources.com.

EVN, the Austrian power utility, has entered into exclusive negotiations to build three peak-power hydro plants with a combined capacity of 400MW in Albania.

The utility announced that its binding bid, submitted last November, has been selected as the best offer and it would proceed in exclusive negotiations with the Government of Albania over the next few months for the concession contract.

Project development took major steps forward last year following the feasibility studies undertaken by EVN for the three plants on the Devol river. The Albanian authorities are looking to have 1,000GWh annually from the plants.

The hydropower scheme follows on from the pact on energy development signed a year ago by the Government of Albania, the federal province of Lower Austria, and EVN.


So if according to the Worldfactbook, Albania consumes 3.323 billion kWh annually then 1,000GWh=1 billion kWh

They have so many plans about different forms of energy...but how many are being realized i'm sick of just hearing proposals...build some dam hydro plants already, some windmill, something!

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/9108/portidurreski2.png

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/1725/unbenanntio8.png

nga Gazeta Sot

Completely off-topic, but I can't stop laughing at this picture. :lol:

It's quite sad to see who represents Albania and its foreign policy. Amazing how this moron got such a critical position in the government:

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8034/1334jh0.jpg

Kuroleeza deserves a laugh too :lol:

It's quite sad to see who represents Albania and its foreign policy. Amazing how this moron got such a critical position in the government:

He is not that bad compared to other moronic politicians we have in office. He has worked in Hague and knows english quite well.

Basha has graduated from Utrecht University and worked 4 years for UNMIK prior to becoming Minister of Transportation and later Foriegn Minister.
Quite a resume if we were to compare it with some other douchebags we've had in the past.

^Exactly. We need to vote out of office those minister, deputies, member of parliament that still work with communist ways.

I know this is off topic, but since you Albanians dont have youre own thread i though this would be a good place for me to ask you this question: If Kosovo gets its independents will it unite with Albania or remain independent? Because its obvious that the majority of people in Kosovo are Albania so it would be beneficial for them to unite with Albania, and besides they would be a small nation to survive on their own.

^^

Kosova will be an independent country.. And it has plenty of potential and more than enough natural resources to sustain itself... actually it has the potential to also be a major european exporter of energy, different minerals and metals, wine etc etc..

But,on the other hand Kosova will have a special relationship with Albania.. borders will only be a formality, all the different ministries in the government (security, trade, infrastructre, health, culture, military, education etc etc..) will cooperate closely with eachother beyond whats normal with "ordinary" neighbours...

Thanks for the info.

I know this is off topic, but since you Albanians dont have youre own thread i though this would be a good place for me to ask you this question: If Kosovo gets its independents will it unite with Albania or remain independent? Because its obvious that the majority of people in Kosovo are Albania so it would be beneficial for them to unite with Albania, and besides they would be a small nation to survive on their own.

kosovars didnt want to trade belgrade for tirana, they legitimately want independence. the people were divided for 100 years, enough to form two distinct identities. for example whether many kosovars believe so or not they have a lot more in common with macedonians and serbs than albanians from the republic do while as we have a lot more in common with southern italians and other eastern med countries but as skanderbeg noted above we will have a very special relationship.

^^ Thats an interesting opinion Thanks!

Hello,

Please help me with one simple question.

What real estate portals (where people sell and buy apartments etc) are most popular in Albania?

Regards,
Pilvekas

Hello,

Please help me with one simple question.

What real estate portals (where people sell and buy apartments etc) are most popular in Albania?

Regards,
Pilvekas

Albanians usually use newspapers, local real estate agents, or websites in albanian - to sell their appartments or other types of properties...


There are lots of portals in english though, where several developers offers appartments for sale.. just search in google: "property investment in albania"

Like this one for example offers appartments on several projects:

http://www.propertyworld.com/propertySearch.cfm?ps_TransType=1&ps_Country=198&ps_Location=&ps_Submit=Search

They mostly use the definition "real estate"

njoftime.com is where you can find a lot of real estate...

Basha is about as successful as I can throw his fat as*s. So he studies abroad. Big fuc*king deal...so did thousands of others. So he can speak English. My 13 year old cousin can speak English. So he worked for UNMIK...doing what? Sali Berisha's little poodle. The hangman's nose around his neck already for the corruption with Durres-Kukes. All the money of course in his wife's name, which isn't an Albanian citizen....so of course...it all dissapears somewhere.

kosovars didnt want to trade belgrade for tirana, they legitimately want independence. the people were divided for 100 years, enough to form two distinct identities. for example whether many kosovars believe so or not they have a lot more in common with macedonians and serbs than albanians from the republic do while as we have a lot more in common with southern italians and other eastern med countries but as skanderbeg noted above we will have a very special relationship.

That was by far the stupidest thing any Albanian has ever said. Trade Belgrade for Tirana...lol...that's a good one.

kosovars didnt want to trade belgrade for tirana, they legitimately want independence. the people were divided for 100 years, enough to form two distinct identities. for example whether many kosovars believe so or not they have a lot more in common with macedonians and serbs than albanians from the republic do while as we have a lot more in common with southern italians and other eastern med countries but as skanderbeg noted above we will have a very special relationship.

There are no "distinct identities" ... I cant figure out what on earth you mean by that??!

If you mean differences... well thats normal.. Even people from different areas within Kosovo differs from one another, with different dialects, some other customs etc etc... People within Albania differs also, for example from north to south, or from city compared to villages etc.. such differences are nothing but normal... Yes 100 years of separation has left its marks.. But making this look like "separate identities" is shocking... We are all simply, albanians..and nobody can identify themselves as anything other than that... Period.

kosovars didnt want to trade belgrade for tirana, they legitimately want independence. the people were divided for 100 years, enough to form two distinct identities. for example whether many kosovars believe so or not they have a lot more in common with macedonians and serbs than albanians from the republic do while as we have a lot more in common with southern italians and other eastern med countries but as skanderbeg noted above we will have a very special relationship.

WTF?? :bash:

Completely off-topic, but I can't stop laughing at this picture. :lol:

It's quite sad to see who represents Albania and its foreign policy. Amazing how this moron got such a critical position in the government:

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8034/1334jh0.jpg

Is that Butthead?

Is that Butthead?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Oh man...Beavis and Butthead, guy totally looks like Butthead :lol:

^^

Kosova will be an independent country.. And it has plenty of potential and more than enough natural resources to sustain itself... actually it has the potential to also be a major european exporter of energy, different minerals and metals, wine etc etc..

But,on the other hand Kosova will have a special relationship with Albania.. borders will only be a formality, all the different ministries in the government (security, trade, infrastructre, health, culture, military, education etc etc..) will cooperate closely with eachother beyond whats normal with "ordinary" neighbours...

And lets not forget that the Trepca factory was one of the biggest in Europe
if the manage to "revive" it without privatizing , Kosovo could gain a lot from it.

As for the question : should Kosovo and albania join?
Perhaps it would be better if they developed economically first and the joint ( well , thats my personal opinion anyway )

Negotiations for visa-free travel to the EU will begin very soon (probably before the end of February). :D

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/961/10542948mr8.jpg