Macedonia to boost cooperation with Durres port

TIRANA, March 24 – Boosting cooperation with Albania’s Durres port remains a top priority for Macedonian businesses which due to trade problems with Greece because of the ongoing name dispute have been considering Durres port as an alternative to the Thessaloniki port.
In a recent visit to Durres Port, Branko Azeski, the head of Macedonia’s Chamber of Commerce, underlined the importance of Durres Port as a first choice for Macedonian businesses.
“The Macedonian Chamber of Commerce represents 90 percent of businesses operating in Macedonia while the boost of cooperation with the Durres Port is key to for the further development of Macedonian businesses,” said Branko Azeski in a meeting with Selim Belortaja, the head of Durres Port Authority.
Albania’s exports to Macedonia were at Euro 30 million in the past two years while imports dropped to Euro 60 million in 2012, down from Euro 64 million in 2011, according to central bank data.
Ethnic Albanians officially account for around 25 percent of Macedonia’s 2 million population, but the figure is estimated to be higher.
The completion of the Arbri road linking Tirana to the northeastern Dibra region will also considerably cut distance to Macedonia.