Albania, Turkey ties should be promoted, says ambassador

TIRANA, April 28 – The Albanian ambassador to Turkey, Genci Mucaj has given an interview to the Eurasia Review in which he tries to promote the Albanian-Turkish relations and says that both countries agree economic ties should be intensified.
Both governments agree that there is a potential to increase the volume of bilateral trade cooperation at least 5 times, from $420 million (Albania exports $130 million out of that) per year.
“We strongly believe that such a commercial partnership is viable for both nations and we are confident that once the business leaders have established cross border ties we would be in a much better position to satisfy trade objectives and incentives put forth by the business communities located in our respective countries, he said.
Turkey and Albania have over 160 bilateral agreements in almost every area of cooperation: Economy, Trade, Energy, Defence, Education, Environment, National Archives, Tourism, Agriculture and the list goes on and on. More than Turkey’s 50 largest companies operate currently in the Albania, let alone numerous other small and medium enterprises. Turkey is Albania’s third largest trading partner, following Italy and Greece, and is aiming to further increase bilateral commerce.
The ambassador offered his country as a “tax heaven, with its 10% flat corporate tax, businesses can register at a one stop shop window, available online tax service, and online public procurement and presently there is NO custom duty for all capital investment from investment companies, i.e. any machinery imported into Albania, will not pay any customs duty.”
“Albania offers a tremendous amount of opportunities for investment in tourism, mining and renewable energy sectors, software and computers sciences taken into account young population, talented and educated labour force,” he said. “Shipping ports and infrastructure improvement projects are very promising sectors given the strategic geographic location.”
In the last 20 years, Turkey has invested approximately $1 billion in Albania as Foreign Direct Investment Funds, loans, grants and Government Assistance.
Albania is a NATO member and has also applied for the EU candidate status.
“Albanians are an important factor of regional peace and stability in the Balkan region,” said the ambassador.