Switzerland awards Euro 70 million in grants

TIRANA, May 28 – Switzerland will provide Euro 70 million to the Albanian government in the next four years to support decentralization, economic development, urban infrastructure, energy and health.
“There is 70 million euros or around 90 million CHF that will be awarded to Albania in the form of grants for the 2014-2017 period,” said Holger Tausch, the country director of the Swiss Cooperation to Albania speaking at the launch of the Albanian-Swiss cooperation strategy for the 2014-2017 period this week.
“All fields that the Swiss Cooperation supports are a priority for us and we are determined to get results,” said Prime Minister Rama.
Since May 1997 the Swiss Cooperation Office in Albania has focused on strengthening democratic institutions, implementing decentralisation at local level, advancing the rural economy, increasing employment and renovating infrastructure. Particular emphasis has been given to gender equality and social inclusion of disadvantaged groups such as the Roma. Through bilateral cooperation and international programmes Switzerland has contributed to Albania with about 133 million Euro up to beginning 2010 – approximately 8 million Euro per year – in form of non-reimbursable grants only. Switzerland’s contribution to Albania is equally distributed between governmental and civil-society channels.
Although trade exchanges between the two countries remain modest, foreign direct investment from Switzerland have seen a boost in the past few years.
Switzerland has surprisingly climbed to the second top foreign investor in Albania with FDI stock of Euro 507 million at the end of 2012, down from 544 million euros in 2011 and only 68 million euros in 2010. The situation is a result of new investments in energy, tourism and trade sectors.