TIRANA TIMES – TIRANA, April 9
Economic cooperation between Albania and Kuwait topped the agenda of a visit Prime Minister Sali Berisha made to that country, where he met with top officials and secured their pledge for further investment in Albania.
During the visit there were also signed several important agreements of cooperation like: Albania-Kuwait Convention on Double Taxation Relief and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital; the signing of the executive tourism program.
Berisha was accompanied by Finance Minister Ridvan Bode, Minister of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunication Sokol Olldashi as well as representatives of the Albanian business community.
Representatives of the two countries said there exist excellent political and friendly relations between the two countries hoping there will be new dimensions following reciprocal visits of top leaders in the respective countries.
“I think there is real and great interest. We should not forget that the key investor in Albania is Al Kharaf and that the Kuwaiti Fund for Development has given a great help in tens and tens of projects in all fields, a generous help for reconstruction of Albania,” Berisha said upon his return. “So, there exists a very clear will, readiness and friendly feelings to take these relations into a new level.”
The two prime ministers evaluated the bilateral economic relations as very good, but spoke of exploiting all the potentials for a further development of these relations, thus promoting the economic cooperation into even higher levels.
During this meeting, the Prime Minister Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah pointed to cooperation in the private sector which can make the most of contribution for deepening of the economic relations between the two countries. But, even cooperation in common projects between the government of Albania and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development can also make a contribution.
Other topic discussed were the potential fields that Kuwaiti entrepreneurs can exploit like Albania water resources, the building of tourist resorts and tourism in general about which Albania offers a great potential in mountainous and coastal tourism.
Berisha focused on projects Kuwaiti government has financed and more concretely on the project of building the Souther Road Axis.
Berisha said that Albania is open to Kuwaiti investments in Albania in the field of oil refinery and processing as well as building of hydropower stations.
The Kuwaiti side expressed an interest even in different projects in the agriculture field.
The two prime ministers also discussed about Kuwait recognizing Kosova.
Berisha also met with Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the opulent Seif Palace, the official seat of the Emir’s court.
Emir of Kuwait said that Albania economic stability, especially during this period of global crisis, makes it a rather favorable country for Kuwaiti investors.
Berisha said that the government of Albania will facilitate Kuwaiti investments in the field of oil refinery and tourism, in building of tourist resorts and big residential areas in the coastal and mountainous zones.
After the talks, a ceremony was held to celebrate the signature of the joint agreements.
