TIRANA, Nov. 8 – Turkey ranks the second major destination of Albanian exports during the first nine months of this year after Italy which has historically held the 50 share of Albanian exports for the past two decades.
Latest INSTAT data show Albanian exports to Turkey doubled to 10.9 billion lek in Jan- Sept. 2011 up from 5.7 billion lek during the same period last year, representing 7.4 percent of total Albanian exports.
Albanian exports to Turkey registered a boom in 2010 when they rose by a record 16 times to 9.6 billion lek, ranking the third biggest destination after Italy and Kosovo.
A report by the Albanian Center for International Trade (ACIT) shows trade volumes with Turkey reached 37,7 bln ALL in 2010, up 24 percent y-o-y. Turkey is one of the few constant trade partners experiencing an overall increase in trade flows and keeping a constant share of 6 percent to total trade flows. The increase in trade volumes is only due to the increase of the value of exports, while imports have decreased further.
The record value of exports in 2010 was a result of the reappearance of main metals after years of minimal values. This sector has the share of 90 percent of all exports.
Turkish businesses are constantly increasing their presence in Albania. Turkey’s Calik Group, which is present in Albania with fixed-line operator Albtelecom, Eagle Mobile and Banka Kombetare Tregtare (BKT Bank), is the most successful Turkish company in Albania.
Other investments include the steel plant in Elbasan which is also run by Turkey’s Kurum and the Turgut al Education Company, which has also established the system of Turkish primary and high schools in Albania since 1992 and most recently the Epoka University.
Kosovo, third destination
Albanian exports to neighboring Kosovo during the first nine months of this year, rank the third biggest at 10.3 billion lek, registering a 39 percent increase compared to the same period last year, also representing 7.4 percent of total exports, the same to Turkey.
Kosovo’s temporary trade ban with Serbia from July 20 to early September 2011 played a significant role. INSTAT data show Albanian exports to neighboring Kosovo registered a significant 45 percent increase y-o-y last August when Kosovo imposed a trade ban on Serbian products on reciprocity measures.
ACIT data show Albania’s trade volumes with Kosovo experienced an increase of 29 percent to 14.1 bln ALL in 2010. Exports were valued at 9.7 bln ALL having increased by 36 percent compared to 2009. The most important category, remain metals products with a 50 percent share followed by minerals at 28 percent.
