Albanian-Turkish Center to promote bilateral trade

TIRANA, June 4 – The launch of the Albanian-Turkish Center of Commerce and Industry is expected to give a new impetus to trade relations between the two countries. Established in 2012 and having started its activity since January 2013, as a Chamber with very wide activity, the Centre is an independent organization for the promotion, development and support of business, industry and training in Albania, Turkey and internationally. Initially scheduled to be launched this week, its official inauguration was postponed because of protests and unrest in Turkey.
With the Headquarter in Tirana, the Center operates in other branches in Albania like Shkodra, Vlora, Kor衬 Fier, Elbasan, Gjirokaster and Kukes and also in the most important/big cities of Turkey.
“Our mission is to offer services, consulting, qualitative information and real contribution in developing business, education, trainings, exhibitions and culture,” says the centre on its website.
Despite crisis impacts, trade exchanges between Albania and Turkey have increased in recent years.
Albanian exports to Turkey have been considerably rising in the past few years climbing from Euro 17 in 2008 to Euro 70 million in 2010 to Euro 106 million in 2011. In 2012 exports to Turkey dropped to Euro 93 million.
Meanwhile, imports from Turkey rose to Euro 218 million in 2012, up from Euro 196 million in 2010, according to central bank data.
Latest Bank of Albania data rank Turkey as the fifth most important investor in Albania with FDI stock at 281 million euros at the end of 2012.
Turkish businesses are constantly increasing their presence in Albania. Turkey’s Calik Group, which is present in Albania with fixed-line operator Albtelecom, Eagle Mobile and Banka Kombetare Tregtare (BKT Bank), is the most successful Turkish company in Albania.
Other investments include the steel plant in Elbasan which is also run by Turkey’s Kurum and the Turgut ׺al Education Company, which has also established the system of Turkish primary and high schools in Albania since 1992 and most recently the Epoka University.