Kosovars invest Euro 33 million in Albania

TIRANA, July 16 – Kosovo citizens invested Euro 33 million mainly in real estate in Albania from 2008 to 2010 as a highway linking the two countries in the shortest possible way was completed. The investments mainly in apartments are confirmed by daily Kosovo newspapers referring to data by Kosovo’s central bank.
The biggest investments during the three-year period were registered in 2008 when Kosovo citizens’ investments were 19.2 million euros, to drop to 8 million euros in 2009 and even less in 2010.
Muhamit Sadiku tells Kosovo’s daily Zeri the construction of the highway linking the two countries has had a major role.
“The Albanian seaside is becoming more and more attractive to Kosovo investments which are mainly taking place in Tirana and Durres and less in southern Albanian coastal towns.”
Investments are mainly made by Kosovo migrants and businessmen while the overwhelming majority of the population faces a severe financial situation.
In contrast, Albanian citizens find Kosovo little attracting for investments although the number of Albanian companies also extending their activity to neighbouring Kosovo has considerably risen in the past few years.
Kosovo has already inaugurated the first 38 kilometres from the Albanian border to Prishtine
The highway, set to be completed in September 2013, is 117 km long and will cost around 800 million Euros.
The new highway is considered very useful for Kosovo’s economy and business. It will connect to the existing highway in Albania, providing a modern and fast connection of Kosovo with the Sea Port of Durres. This highway also connects the north of Kosovo with Serbia and Nis (corridor 10).