Intl donors worried over political crisis impacts on economy

TIRANA, Jan. 28 – Albania’s development and integration partners have expressed their concern over the Jan. 21 tragic events and the increase in political tension, warning of the negative impact they might have on the country’s economy.
“As long term partners of Albania, supporting the country’s development efforts and its path towards European integration, we would like to express our serious concern of the negative impact the continued tension might have upon Albania’s current achievements, business environment, and future sustainable economic and human development,” says a joint statement by 12 partners.
Committing to helping Albania in its economic challenges, and appealing for cooperation between political leaders to work together towards a better future, the donors say that a large and exciting agenda lies ahead for Albania.
“Sources of growth need to be harnessed to keep the economy competitive in an increasingly complex and demanding world; make the country more attractive for foreign investment, open new opportunities for local employment; and increase the well-being of all citizens.”
“We need to remind ourselves of the remarkable progress Albania has made over the past decade. Impressive economic growth has propelled the country to an upper middle income economy, also showing resilience to the recent global financial crisis. The efforts of consecutive governments have succeeded in dramatically reducing poverty and building democratic institutions, which are critical for business and sustainable socioeconomic development.”
The joint Declaration was signed by the World Bank, the UNDP, the Italian Development Cooperation, the Swiss Cooperation Office, the IOM, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the WHO, and the embassies of Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary in Tirana as well as the Norwegian Embassy in Prishtina.