Put together Austrian electrical firms, German wrapping material production companies, Persian carpet weavers, the Italian port authority of Bari, Albanian publishing houses and Bosnian salami traders and you will have the multi-colored most important international trade fair organized in Tirana annually by Klik Ekspo Klik the traditional host of the editions of the fair which this year is in its 14th anniversary. In the inauguration ceremony on Sunday afternoon, Albanian senior officials including prime minister, parliament speaker, economic and commerce minister and a number of foreign ambassadors and diplomats were present. Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said in the ceremony that Albania is in a good situation to expand economic and commercial cooperation with the other countries. President of the Klik Ekspo Klik Fair, Luan Muhametaj explains that during the organizing of this event the guiding philosophy was to present the new character of Albanain economy and reflect the changes and improvements from previous editions. The fair according to Muhametaj, has been an opportunity to establish links of collaboration with Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Austria, Macedonia, etc. More than 800 companies are participating in the fair. Special stands with a country focus have been organized by Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Serbia, Austria, Iran but business has its presence also form USA, Egypt, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Germany, Japan, etc. The fair is being held under two pavilions, at the palace of Congresses and at the International Center of Culture signaling its growth form previous years. The lively atmosphere starts form the outskirts of the venue where music pumps out loud and car companies display the luxurious eye-catchers in elliptical rows. The limousine renting company stands next to a salami-frying booth in what can be called the most unique and diverse image of the fair.
This event gives the opportunity of foreign producers interested in the Albanian market to display their offer, seek for Albanian partners, distributors and franchise seekers. The tables are full with people discussing business opportunities and potential links establishments between Albanian and foreign partners.
Iranian business first timer in Klik
As we unwillingly leave the cozy and magical VIP room where our Iranian hosts have pampered us with relaxing spicy lemon tea and delightful sweets, I notice the wonderful display of colorful carpets and soft-to-the-touch scarves that lie gracefully close to the lotions, the famous arts craft with its keen eye on detail and oriental look and somehow blend in a very well cured image booth. No doubt the Iranian presence in the fair is a novelty.
Iranian companies have presented their products in the fields of food industry, cosmetics and sanitation, tourism, furniture, carpet and leather goods in the exhibition. The idea to bring the companies here was of the economic sector of the Iranian embassy as Counsellor Vahed Asghari explains to us. He stresses the fact that Iran and Albania has a lot in common and they still need to explore the potential of their trade opportunities and collaboration projects. One of the interesting fields in which the Albanians have been interested is energy. Iranian expert, M. Seddighi from the Ministry of Commerce says that Albanians have taken them to show potential sites for hydropower development and that Iranian companies might have a direct interest to be involved in such projects. The technical capacity and expertise of Iran in relation to energy is a well-know fact and the Albanian Prime Minister has made it clear that energy is one of the priority sectors in which Albania is avidly seeking foreign investment.
Petrochemicals and automobiles have also attracted quite an interest as well as the wonderful craft that appeals even to the individuals. M. Seddighi says that Iran will be present in the future fairs as well and with an even bigger and more diverse presence. Both Iranain hosts have been very pleased with the important visits of Albanian prime Ministers, ministers of the cabinet, head of Chamber of Commerce etc. the Irnaian counter part of Klik Ekspo Klik is Iran International Exhibition Company with a presence in the Albanian Fair. The company organizes according to M. Sedighi almost 100 fairs annually, evenly distributed within and abroad Iran. Albania is one of the targeted markets of Iran and is also welcomed to be present in similar venues in Teheran. “Although we are late comers to Albania in terms of business, we hope that this fair will be a window of opportunity towards commercial cooperation,” he concludes. The careful arrangements of informative material into selected CDs and brochures makes an impression on all visitors at this stand but the most striking thing is the hospitability and amicability shown by the hosts which bid us goodbye with a special gift: delicious Persian dried fruit which in our opinion is definitely something that we should import in large quantities.
Fair veterans
Unlike Iranians, regional business is not a newcomer to the fair. The Bosnian Chamber of commerce has been coordinating the business presence of many companies for there years already. Elam Kovacevic and Sejla Kadic have been very pleased with the fair and admit that there is a lot of interest shown by Albanian audience towards Bosnian business. One of the days was dedicated to Bosnian products with a cocktail advertising Bosnian meat products, wine, tobacco and sweets. Two big meat companies Lijanovici and Ovako are present in the fair as well as a dozen of others operating in the fields of tobacco furniture, oil and gas terminal equipment, ceramics, detonators, wires, coffee etc. Bosnian business has a permanent presence here for example in exporting Bosnian refrigerator s and pharmaceuticals. What Kovacevic encourages is more presence of Albanian business in similar fair that are being organized in Sarajevo where it would be similarly welcomed.
