Switzerland grants 8.3 million Euros in aid for Albanian water supply, agriculture

TIRANA, Jan. 22 – Switzerland granted Albania 8.3 million Euros in aid for a water supply network in a northern city and aid for the development of the country’s agriculture sector, the Finance Ministry and the Swiss embassy said Tuesday.
A ministry statement said a grant of 6 million Euros, part of a 15.9 million euro project funded by Germany, Austria and the Albanian government, would be used to improve the water supply in Shkodra, 110 kilometers north of Tirana, at the end of the four-year project.
Switzerland seeks to contribute to the rehabilitation of the water supply and sewerage system of Shkodra, said an embassy statement.
Switzerland is funding with a non-reimbursable contribution of around 6 million Euros the rehabilitation of the water supply project of Shkodra. The aim of this project is to improve the living conditions of the population and the infrastructure of the local economy. Switzerland, Austrian Development Cooperation ADA and German Credit Bank for Reconstruction KfW are co-funding the project with a total of 15.4 million Euro for the realization of the whole project on Water Supply and Environmental Lake Protection Shkodra, whereas the local contribution of the Albanian state budget will be 0.5 million Euro.
The other 2.1 million Swiss francs ($1.9 million; 1.3 million Euros) would support the Albanian private sector in agriculture aiming at improving ‘the economic situation of the rural population,’ according to a statement.
Switzerland also seeks to contribute to improving the economic situation of the rural population through a sustainable use of natural resources in Albania, according to a statement.
Switzerland is strongly supporting the development of the private sector with a focus on improving access to markets and services. The project on Sustainable Agriculture Support in Albania SASA supports the production of organic products such as fruits, vegetables, olive oil and wine. The SASA project provides research and technical advice to farmers interested in bio production through the Bio-Adria association. A special focus is placed on inspection and certification in order to have high quality, labeled products through Albinspekt body. This contributes to improving the competitiveness of agricultural organic products on the national and international market. Thanks to SASA project, farmers export bio products to Switzerland.
Switzerland has been a continuous supporter of Albania’s development during the post-communist period since 1990, contributing some 130 million Swiss francs (117.8 million dollars; 81 million Euros) and pledging to contribute 12.5 million francs (11.3 million dollars; 7.8 million Euros) each year until 2009.(Tirana Times Staff)