Gjirokastra construction, garment companies in crisis

TIRANA, Sept. 18 – The construction and garment and footwear companies in the region of Gjirokastra, bordering neighbouring Greece, continue suffering severe crisis impacts, business representatives said in a recent trade fair. Meanwhile, handcraft manufacturing businesses in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Gjirokastra are increasing.
Mustafa Devolli, the President of the Gjirokastra Chamber of Commerce described the Gjirokastra trade fair held last week as very important so that the economic crisis does not affect businesses psychologically. Greek companies also participated in the Expo Gjirokastra 2012.
Garment and footwear companies in the southern region of Gjirokastra are striving to survive after demand from their partners in Greece has almost been cut. Local media report that only one of the five textile factories in the Gjirokastra region continues operating while others have temporarily seized work facing no new orders.
Bardhi Sejdarasi, a representative of the National Chamber of Garment Producers says that a number of textile enterprises in other southern regions such as Korca, Berat, Pogradec and Vlora have also suspended work.