TIRANA, March 5 – The Albanian Exporters Association confirmed in a statement that it is attentively following the political, economic and social situation of the country, the boycott of institutions and institutional political processes, as well as the real and verbal violence taking place in the media, parliament and the streets.
The association noted that many other relevant actors in the country have highlighted as a consequence of this situation the hampering of most integration processes and the rhetoric that follows these processes – undoubtedly a concern considering integration is one of the country’s most strategic goals.
In terms of the real direct effect this situation will have on the Albanian economy is mainly the major negative impact on the upcoming tourist season – an undoubtedly serious concern, taking into consideration how the sector has been promoted over the last few years to bring the country income and to further assist its integration process.
In this context, the AEA raised alarms that the actors who have brought about this situation while still being obliged to manage the country’s stability should take measures and do two main things.
Firstly, the AEA said political actors should highlight and expose the real negative effects Albania’s deadlock has brought to the economy, foreign and local investments, exports and the general development of the country.
Secondly, they should responsibility and concretely engage to come up with lasting solutions that will no longer aggravate the situation, but rather minimize its consequences.
The situation, which many experts have valued as anarchic and with a tendency to incite conflict, has eclipsed every every debate in function of solving economic problems, improving the business climate and promoting investment and exports.
According to statistics, the first month of the year concluded with a 7.3 percent drop in exports compared to the same month of 2018 – a trend which, if further follows, will directly affect the dissemination of new jobs and the decline in investments from the most vital economic sector.
Similarly, if destability is added to the problem of the euro devaluation, the lack of labor force and the non-payment of VAT, that would be the end of exporters and producers.
The AEA added that nothing and no one can justify the facilitation of chaos, anarchy and the incitement of vandalism to accompany social conflicts, as it has always happened in Albania everytime something like this happens.
Damaging the entrepreneurial initiative and confidence that “business can be done normally in this country’, where property and capital security “is not endangered by the rhetorical dynamics or the depreciation of institutional processes” will undermine the direct and long-term development of the prospect of development for Albania.
A situation threatening property and entrepreneurs will cause the latter (be them Albanian or foreigners) to completely withdraw from any kind of business or development idea in Albania with the impression the country can’t be helped.
The AEA said in conclusion that it supports all foreign and Albanian institutional, social, political and media factors requesting that reason, the constitution, law and institutions guide decision-making and political stands as the only way towards Albania’s stability and economic progress.
