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ATA News from Albania, 96-09-12Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] ALBANIA, WORLD BANK'S BELOVED CHILD -SeverinoPress and Information Office of the President reports that Albanian President Sali Berisha received recently Director of the World Bank Jean Michael Severino.Berisha expressed his gratitude for the support the World Bank has offered to Albania right from the beginning of the democratic reforms and continues still today, being such the main supporter of financial and technical assistance for Albania. "Albania-World Bank cooperation is one of the most successful" said Berisha. "Dozens of new projects are today in process in the most important fields for country's development like road constructions, projects in water and power supply, education, health, irrigation, privatisation, accommodation, forestry and banks. We are determined to widen this cooperation and would like that these projects of the World Bank include in the future even other districts not included yet, like Korca and others. We are very much interested to start programs in viticulture, specially for Belshi and other areas with tradition in this field. The project of urban fund for Elbasani and Berati should be widened and include other districts. It is of special importance for Albania the creation of urban funds for some large towns of the country. Movement of population is necessary but simultaneous construction of infrastructure by constructing roads, schools, health centers and water supply in these new living areas is a necessity as well." Berisha assured Severino that Albania is continuing to have high economic rates of development which guarantee among others its macroeconomics stability. He estimated an important decision that of removal of state control on prices. Director of World Bank Severino expressed his pleasure in coming to Albania. "You have marvelous results, which we admire and congratulate you for. That's why the World Bank calls Albania its beloved child." He also stressed that the World Bank is decided to support continuation of reforms and to consolidate the present results and is engaged to widen its cooperation in other prior sectors and fields. "We will support Albania to become a success in policy and economy in the future years." Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] ALBANIAN AGRICULTURE MINISTER MEETS US AMBASSADORAlbanian Minister of Agriculture and Food Prof Dr Bamir Topi received recently in a special meeting the US Ambassador in Tirana Marissa R. Lino.Topi estimated the positive relations between his Ministry and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in the realisation of a project which supports reconstruction of Albanian agriculture. US Ambassador assured Topi that even in the future the US government will support Albanian government in fulfilment of its objective in development of agriculture towards a market economy. At the end of the meeting Amendment Four of a draft agreement was signed between the US and Albania regarding a project of support for reconstruction of Albanian agriculture increasing the US aid for Albania with some USD3.1 million. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ALBANIAN FARM HOUSEHOLDSAfter the implementation of the law "On the land", in Albania are created over 420 thousand farm households, with an average size of 1.49 hectars for the low area, 1.29 for hilly area and 0.8 hectars for the mountainous area. The average size of the farms for the rural population in general is only 1.12 hectars.A general survey of these households points out some characteristics which can be grouped in those that can express the demographic aspect of these households, introduces the structure of production in them and shows us the economical relations of these households with the markets. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] TIRANE-DURRES AREA BUSTLING WITH ACTIVITYAt present, in Tirane-Durres area is carried out one third of Albania's business activity. Tirana the capital of the country with a population estimated at 450 000 and Durresi with 243 000 inhabitants are absorbing the most powerful foreign and local companies nowadays.The zone, where construction is underway in Tirana, compared to 1990, is expanded with 800 hectares and population increased to seven per cent, two percent due to natural growth and five percent due to the migration of people. Serving this purpose in Tirana-Durres corridor is foreseen the implementation of a project to build 4000 new apartments, in an area of 70 hectares. Realising the advantages of this area because Rinas airport, Durresi harbour and the highway are there, on both sides of the road is planned the construction of apartments with the respective infrastructure. Foreign investors, mainly Italian and German have shown interest in investing in the area. Private sector business remains dominant in the area. Almost all food stuffs industry is privatized in these cities and during the last five years nearly 100 factories are being established, starting with processing factories for dairy and agriculture products, timber, clothing and car services stations. Already established in this zone are powerful companies as Coca Cola, Siemens or Albania firms, which have Opel, Peugeot, Volvo car dealerships. Up to now investments have been in the context of joint ventures. The bulk of the Albanian immigrants are from these two cities, and upon their return they have started to invest in the area. The first five kilometres of Tirana-Durres highway are finished and work is under way to expand it towards Durresi city. The rehabilitation of Tirana-Durres railway, with the financial support of Italian Government, is nearly over. A.Gjata. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] FEED THE CHILDREN ASSOCIATION HELPS SCHOOLSThe English association "Feed the Children" has helped to prepare the school buildings in Kukes district for the new school year.It helped repair 11 schools mainly in villages and equipped others with necessary materials during this year. The district Educational Directorate is carrying out a special plan to improve the technical conditions of the school buildings and it is establishing cooperation with different non-governmental organisations. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] EU APPROVES TWENTY MILLION ECUs FOR SALARIES IN ALBANIAThe European Commission in the meeting held on September 1996 formally approved the disbursement of the second tranche worth 20 million ECUs for salaries to Albania, the Press and Information Office at the Foreign Ministry said according to a report obtained by the cabinet of the High Commissioner Hans van den Broek."The assistance of the European Union is a support for the developments, democratic processes, democratic government in Albania. It is an assistance for what we have achieved," Tritan Shehu, deputy prime minister and Foreign Minister said. He added: "I considered this a way of development and cooperation and for Albania's integration in E.U. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] UNFPA DELEGATION IN TIRANAA delegation of the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA), based in New York, made up of its Central Office advisers, is visiting Tirana for two days, spokesman of this office in Tirana told ATA.They will meet representatives of the Albanian government and will stage a seminar regarding program reconsideration and structure development on population issues. The UNFPA representative is expected to launch a new program in Albania, in the continuity of the projects realized during these five last years in field of health, family planning, demographic developments, education and others. Since 1991, Albania and UNFPA have set up relations, which are concretized in the realization of valuable projects in the above mentioned fields. UNFPA has its own office in Tirana which coordinates the activities with Albanian bodies and non governmental organizations. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] ROGNER EMBARKS ON A NEW PROJECTAustrian company "Rogner International" which has built Albania's sole four star hotel, the EuropaPark in Tirana, announced it will build a tourist village at the Cape of Rodon on the Adriatic, in the coastal line between Durres and Patok.The Austrian company operating also in the field of construction and tourism management based in Vienna, owns other hotels located throughout Europe. It is now hoping to extende itself as far as the Adriatic coast. The area known as Rodon is chosen for its new project. This time the Austrian will not build merely a hotel but a whole tourist complex, invesating some million USD in it. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] INVESTMENTS IN ALBANIA AS SAFE AS THOSE IN WEST EUROPEAN COUNTRIESPresident of Albanian-American Enterprise Fund Domenik Skaljone told "Voice of America" that the investments in Albania today are as safe as those in West European countries.Skaljone, who has a long carrier as Wall Street financier, has declared that the Fund established on February 1995, on president Bill Clinton's decree, has invested around $ 5 million in Albania up to now. With offices in Tirana and New York, the fund had granted loans for ten investments in Albania until now. The opening up of a bank in Tirana is another project, the fund plans to undertake, adds the President of the Albanian American Fund. Skaljone says that the two main fields where Albania offers the greatest investments' opportunities are: first agro business, and tourism second. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] $ 30 MILLION ON "HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT" PROJECTFor the Human Resources Development Project, which is one of the conditions of the market economy, 30 million dollars are at Albania's disposal.The idea was initiated by the World Bank. It was discussed in the meeting that the Head of the Department for Central Europe and Asia of the World Bank, Zhan Mishel Saverino, had with top officials of Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Assistance, that of Health and Environment Protection and the Ministry of Education and Sports. Opinions were exchanged in those meetings with the purpose of making this project operational in Albania. The meeting estimated that the aid of 11 million dollars accorded by the World Bank for drafting and putting into function the employment policies and social questions. Through this fund, a national network of work and proffesional education is set up. Further steps wil be taken in establishing incubators and business clubs. On his side, Saverino expressed his cofidence that cooperation with Albania, especially, in the area of human resources will go on. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] IRISH COMPANIES INTERESTED TO INVEST IN ALBANIAAlbanian deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tritan Shehu received Tuesday the representative of the Anglo-Adriatic Investment Fund, Declan Ganley and the Irish parliamentarian Lyam Lawlor regarding the establishment of Common Economic Council between Ireland and Albania, reported the Ministry's press and information office.Lawlor said that the Irish government is interested in deepening the economic cooperation with Albania. Albanian and Irish Foreign Ministers will sign in November the Economic Cooperation Agreement between two countries. "A lot of big Irish companies are interested to invest in various fields in Albania," said the representative of the Anglo-Adriatic Investment Fund. The Irish side showed its readiness to help Albania in the legislation field, in relation to the social policy. Albanian minister Shehu talked about Albania's goal in signing the association Agreement with European Union and stressed that the Irish specialists assistance, regarding respective modalities on the agreement, whose negotiations will start soon, would be very welcomed. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] "ALBANIAN TABAK COMPANY INVESTS WORTH $ 7,5 MILLIONThe "Albanian Tabak" company made $ 7,5 million worth investments in the district of Librazhd, (central east Albania), since it started operating. These investment were mainly for construction, modernisation of the tabacco factories in Librazhd and Perrenjas, as well as for infrastructure, new roads and improvement of the electricity grid.Both factories boast a contemporary technology and also offer a pleasant working surrounding (cafeteria, restaurant, central heating, showers, rest areas etc.) "We are doing our best to collaborate with a large American company, which is considered to be the biggest in world for collecting tabacco" said Vehbi Velia president of te "Albanain Tabac" company. "This collaboration will encourge teh export of Albanian tabacco as well as its cultivation in Albania". Kristaq Kote, executive director of the factories said that the number of employees in these factories increased from 50 in 1993 to 200 in 1996. "In addition to a good salary, the workers also benefit from corporate contracts", he continued. The company collect 1000 tons of tabaco per year country wide. Its activity demonstrates the serious work of this company to encourage economic development in the district through investments. There are plans to build a tabacco processing centre, to increase tobacc factory's acticities and to double its production. This includes the increase of the labour force, said Kote. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] GOVERNMENT APPROVES DECISIONS IN FAVOUR OF ECONOMIC REFORMThe Council of ministers presided by Prime Minister Aleksader Meksi approved in its Monday's meeting the operating program of the country for the 1996 (COP -1996), with the grant of 30.5 million ECU, in the framework of the cooperation with the Europen Union (EU) for the PHARE program.Also the Council of Ministers approved a grant of 2.5 million ECU based on a financial memorandum for the Tempus program. The assistance of 33 million ECU, given to Albania, is another indicator of the EU continual support for developing the market reforms in Albania. It intends mid term restructuration, modernization of the economy and further deepening of the reciprocal relations. Another decision approved today by the Government was the decision for ratifying the credit of development between Albania and the International Development Agency (IDA) for the project of the national roads. The project foresees rehabilitation of 90 kilometres of road esteemated at USD 66 million. The IDA financing is USD 25 million. The government approved a change concerning the realization of the loan agreement between Albania and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) for the project of rural development in the North eastern areas of Albania. Some 150 projects have been foreseen for districts of Dibra, Has Kukes, Tropoja equivalent to USD 5.55 million in which IFAD is the main donator. The Government also approved today a change in the agreement of the Swiss grant between Albania and IDA for the project of decreasing the rural poverty and a project for the rural development. The Swiss government has made available to the World Bank the second part a grant of USD 0.8 million. The figure of the Swiss grant is now USD 2.721 million. The Albanian government approved in principle also the agreement between the Albanian government, the Italian government and the Mediterranean Institute of Agronomy for the implementation of the phytosanitar project in Albania estimated at 2.5 billion lire. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] TWO YEAR JAIL TERM FOR PEDOPHILETIRANA, SEP 12 (ATA) By E.Xhajanka Tirana Court sentenced Wednesday, Xhevair Hoxha, 31 on charge of sexual abuse with minor.The defendant, in collaboration with another person 53 years old from Elbasani still at large, committed the sexual abuse, on May 5. The prosecutor demanded 2.5 year jail term on sexual abuse charge for the defendant Hoxha. The act committed in Tirana, when a 14-year old boy from Peshkopia (northern Albania) returning from emigration in Greece, did not have enough money to pay for a room to spend the night. The two "altruist" defendants offered shelter and send him somewhere on the suburbs of Tirana and then violated him. In court Hoxha accepted the charge and regretted the act. kled/gen/z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] ALBANIAN SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY ACCEPTED AS MEMBER OF SOCIALIST INTERNATIONALTIRANA, SEPT 11 (ATA) - Starting from September 10, the 20th Congress of the Socialist International is holding its proceedings at the New York based United Nations seat, attending also is an Albanian delegation of the Social Democrat party headed by its chairman Skender Gjinushi.In yesterday's session the Congress unanimously approved the proposal of Albanian SD steering committee to move one step further, from consultative member to a member on full rights," the party's spokesman reported. According to the spokesman, SD delegation on the context of its visit in New York, had separate talks with European dignitaries as Austrian Chancellor, Franc Vranicki, Speaker of Parliament Hans Fisher, chairman of European Socialist Council, Shider, chairwoman of Socialist group in European Parliament Pauline Green, deputy chairman of German SD party Verhojgen and senior officials of Italian SD party D'Alema and Fasino, the later is State Secretary for Foreign Policy. According to SD statement, during these meetings the political situation in Albania after May 26 elections was discussed and joint steps taken by US and European Union were reaffirmed, that the Albanian government guarantee free and fair local elections, return to democratic normality as the first step for the re run of parliamentary elections. kled/mt/z/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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