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ATA News from Albania, 96-10-23Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] GERMAN CREDIT SUPPORTS ALBANIAN BUSINESSMENBased on the agreement "Assistance for new entreprenues in Albania" signed two years ago between the Federal Republic of Germany and Albanian Republic, has enabled Albanian banks to make use of the credits granted by the German Bank for Reconstruction and Development KFW and GTZ, to set up small and medium enterprises.Alongside the establishment of big enterprises on such credits as the milk processing factory "Ajka" and other ones, priority is given to the commencement of activities by ex-Albanian immigrant from Germany turned businessmen. With a German credit worth $130 million released by GTZ, Albanian ex- immigrant Shpresa Shkalla, who worked in Germany for a period of three years, aims at setting up an olive oil processing factory. Another Albanian ex-immigrant from Germany benefited a credit worth $100 million and is constructing a brewery. Many people from Tirana and other districts of Albania have taken advantage from credits granted by various donators bodies from German government. KFW alone, for a four year period has released sums worth DM 205 million to carry out projects in different fields of Albania's economic development. According to GTZ specialists the new entrepreneurs draft a business plan for the project they would like to implement, which in its part should meet Albanian Commercial Bank (ACB) requires to allocate the credit. There are different small and medium enterprises operating on such credits and competing deservedly the market with their products. Taking into the consideration the reimbursement period to the ACB by the new entrepreneurs ranges from three to ten years, and further more ABC should reimburse the German government after 40 years. This year some 80 to 100 new entrepreneurs plan to benefit credits worth DM 150 thousands. Priority is given to Albanian citizens temporarely staying in Germany, repatriated or also those, who returned after January 1st 1993. Credit interest for small and medium enterprises would be annually fixed and four percent lower than the interest ABC exercises for the first class clients. In the meantime GTZ is offering technical assistance for the new stock holders companies. A.Gjata Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT CONVENESThe Council of Ministers, presided over by Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, approved on Monday the draft-law on "Dental health Service", which stipulates that for the ages under 18, the dental service expenditures will be covered completely by the state budget.The state budget will also cover the dental service in hospitals as well as categories of invalids and veterans. Although the dental service for the ages above 18 years of age is privatised the state will be the regulator of all the activity determining the organisation, operation and service regulations as well as the structures which control and have the power of punishment in cases when law violations are observed. The ministers also agreed to a series of cooperation agreements. The agreement between the Republic of Albania and FAO on the project "Service of Information and Fish Marketing for the Eastern European countries", was approved in principle. The agreements "Aid in Commodities VI" and "Aid in Commodities VII" between the RA and the government of the FRG" were as well approved. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] WHEAT SEED FREE OF LEVIESBy a special degree from the Finance Ministry, wheat seed merchants will not pay customs and the Valued Added Tax (VAT), told Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) sources from the Agricultural Production Department."This issue is an important move of our government to foster the wheat production, through the cultivation of high quality seeds, the revoke of these two taxes drops the cost of the wheat seeds' purchase with 20 percent of the value," said Food and Agriculture Minister, Bamir Topi. According to Food and Agriculture Ministry specialists, abolishment of these taxes, sought for months from farmers and merchants as well, will boost importing, delivery and usage of qualitative seeds during this fall sowing season. "With this legal act coming into force at the high time, on the threshold of sowing, said Aleksander Mari, Director of Agricultural Production, the seed arrival price drops to 50-55 lek per kilogram, which means the seed price will reach the farmers is 60 lek per kilogram. The price will be fully accepted by the farmers." In the framework of the measures taken to ease the wheat seed situation, the last one was the most significant. M.Spa Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS "SOS" ORGANISATION PRESIDENTAlbanian President, Sali Berisha met Tuesday with a delegation of the "SOS" organisation, headed by its president, Marko Cegone."I express my profound gratitude and of all the Albanians for your precious donation by setting up the model village "SOS" in Sauk, worth 10 million dollars", President Berisha told Mr. Cegone. "Therefore, I wish to thank those millions of German and Austrian citisens who contributed to this donation". Cegone thanked President Berisha for the Albanian government's support and backing for setting up the children's village in Sauk (central Albania) and for other of its projects. President Berisha also responded to Cegone's desire to set up another similar village in the Korca city, assuring him that together with the new Korca city mayor he would support the realisation of such project. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] SAVINGS BANK ON THE WAY OF PRIVATIZATIONSavings Bank, included in the group of second level banks, as the Rural Commercial Bank and the National Commercial Bank, is on the way of privatization, sources close to the bank report.Focusing on this issue, the General Director of Savings Bank, Bedri Collaku said: "considering that in our bank have deposited over 80 percent of the depositors, the state should shoulder the responsibility by giving time for the bank to be the last to enter the privatization process." He explains, however, the preliminary work for its privatization has started by initially estimating its real property. One of the most sensitive problem for all second level banks in their way of privatization, are the credits not payed in time. Regarding the unpaid credits, Collaku explains " for the problem to be sold, special funds are set up in our bank in order to eliminate the losses deriving from the unpaid credits." International experience has shown that reconstruction agencies are set up, which create conditions for banks' privatization. "The government will find a way out on this problem, which at the same time will be a solution to the whole banking system," said the General Director. Deputy Director of the Rural commercial bank, Orfea Vuci, for the same issue said "although our bank has problems with the unpaid credits, we don't consider them lost." According to him whatever the means of privatization would be, there is a real guarantee for their reimbursement. M.Noti. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] LEZHA-SHKODRA RAILAWAY LINE RESUMES FUNCTIONINGThe Lezha-Shkodra railway line resumed functioning after an interruption of 25 days.The track was greatly damaged by the heavy rain during September in about 400 meters near the village Raboshte. The damage needed 1.5 million from the state budget to repair. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] MORE SPACE FOR ALBANIAN EXPORTSAlbania's export of foodstuff industry is enhanced during the last three years taking about 15 percent of the total exports, report the bulletins of the Institute of Statistics.According to food department experts, Albania lapsed too soon from food aid emergency stage, from the donor countries, mainly from the European Community, to turning out and exporting as well food stuff articles. "At present the export of food stuff products takes the third place, reeling from the textile and mineral industries exports. But natural resources of the country, the dynamic development of the agricultural and livestock sectors, setting up of a new agr.- food industry with an up dated technology, make these exports prevailing in the foreign commercial sector. After the investments in the construction sector, is food stuff industry absorbing millions of capitals in dollars. In the last agr.-food fair opened up in Tirana were presented the most renowned companies, whose representatives' expectations were to make their way with such products to the foreign markets. The Albanian companies mainly fish exporter ones, but also and canneries established mainly at coastal cities like Durresi and Lezha. Exports from the Albanian companies include such productions like olive oil, cheese, beans, tea, tomatoes, honey and some other agricultural productions. Over 90 per cent of these modest exports, which are favoured by the customs facilities, are sent to the European Community countries, which accept only high quality goods. Italian market attracts about 50 per cent of Albanian exports compared to other countries. The exports with other European Countries like Germany, France, Belgium are also promoted. According to the specialists, primarily for the opening up of agr.- food products exports' doors is the new means of marketing of Albanian products, specially the introduction of Albanian goods in accordance with the international standards. A.Gjata. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] OMV AUSTRIAN OIL COMPANY ALSO PROVIDES HUMANITARIAN AIDBy M. Noti,The Austrian Oil Company, OMV, is providing Albania not only with investment in off shore oil researches but also in health care and environment. The medical equipment on dialysis, worth $30 000 (300 000 Austrian shillings), as well as an ambulance for the Fieri hospital, are the latest two donations of our company to Albania", the OMV director in Tirana, E. Michael Neuhauser, says. Since 1991, OMV has been taking medical care of the oil workers. Aid in health care began with a fond of $35 000 for the oil workers followed by special services in curing grave diseases free of charge. OMV, which operates in joint venture with the other oil company, Occidental, has actually employed 25 Albanian workers. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] PREUSSAG TO OPERATE IN ALBANIABased on the law of chromium mines privatization, the partial privatization of Albkrom company has commenced. The international tender organized on this occasion was won by the German company Preussag.The company is one of the biggest in Germany regarding steel production and has extended its activity in many countries of the world with some 224 subsidiaries in various filed of production as gas and oil pipelines, nuclear sphere and production of various metals and in telecommunication sector too. As a potential investor this company will operate in north east of Albania, where the chrome reserves are located as in Bulqize, Klos, Bater, Thekne and Ternove. After the necessary study conducted by German specialists of Preusssag, in these areas, is ready the project of mine rehabilitations and that of ferrous chrome factory in Burrel. The first phase of investment, based on the company's study is estimated at DM 80 million, were mines rehabilitation reaching the world mine standards and improving working conditions are included. The methods applied by this company in chromium extracting like "tufe" perforation is based on a computerized operation, which minimizes the risks of this activity. Some $2 million are earmarked to be invested for the method. Another peculiarity of the company working system is the safeguarding of the environment from the pollution, noise protection etc. The annual production is estimated to reach 300 thousand tons of chromium ore and 100 thousand tons of ferrous chromium. Marketing and selling the chromium will be carried out by Preussag subsidiary "Bergmann" located in Dusseldorf, Germany. Operating in north east of Albania, the company besides employeeing local residents, will allocate funds to improve the infrastructure. The cooperation agreement with Pruessag is nearly over. M.Nini Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR ALBANIANS WHO WANT TO GET AN OXFORD DIPLOMANow there is no need to go to Britain to get an Oxford diploma on your knowledge in the English language, because Oxford university has now its branch in Tirana.Courses for English teaching are about to start next Monday in the World Centre of English Language Teaching in Tirana. All those who want to have their diploma in June next year should pay a total of about 1 thousand dollars for the course. The diploma they will receive is equal with a diploma obtained in Oxford. It is a private Greek-Albanian initiative to conduct a business with the analogous school Stratigakis in Salonica, founded in 1964. Beginning with 1991, this school decided to pass the Greek borders to increase the number of English-speaking pupils from 25 to 35 thousands in its affiliates opened in Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Albania. "There are 700 pupils and 15 teachers who will start classes in English according to four levels, from the elementary to the most advanced, by 4-6 hours per week, for which every pupils has to pay 280 dollars for each level," said the directress of this non-political and non-religious centre, Pranvera Hackaj. Text-books, audio and videos in the scientific language of the Oxford University will be put at the disposal of the pupils. The centre also offers a cultural, educational service, through summer camping in Salonica for the perfection of the language. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] OLIVE INDUSTRY, IMPORTANT EMPLOYER IN ALBANIAAlbania has 5.033 olive trees and many are under threat of destruction by people who cut and break the branches and sometimes the tree itself in their attempt to collect the olives from the trees.Some 37 800 roots of olive trees were planted last year, 30 percent of which in Vlora, 6 000 olive roots in Fier, 4 000 in Lushnja and 1 000 in Berat . Olive trees are capable of producing over 7-8 tons per hectare only after four years, especially in good watery plots of land. "Olive trees can be planted even in mountainous areas" said an agriculture specialist, commenting that about 30 000 hectares of mountainous land planted with grains and sunflower didn't produce anything. Now there are over 70 000 house holds with olive trees in their gardens; so, in total there are about 830 000 roots in Vlora and Berat, 730 000 in Saranda, 850 000 in Fier and 675 000 in Elbasan. In Albania, olive plantations make 12 percent of all agricultural land. This figure is higher in the towns , as, in Saranda olive-tree plantation makes up 20 percent of the agricultural land, whereas in Vlora 21 percent. Olives industry also employs many people: about 78 000 workersare fully employedin the industry. There are 7 800 olive workers in Vlora, 5 000 in Saranda, 6 000 in Fier, 4 000 in Elbasan, 6 000 in Berat and 3 000 in Durres. M.Spa Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] PRESENCE OF FRENCH COMPANIES STILL INSIGNIFICANT IN ALBANIAThe presence of French capital in Albania is still weak compared it to other countries of Balkan Peninsula. Meanwhile, in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia only, French commercial exchanges are estimated around 360 millions French Franc, with Albania this figure reaches 60 million.At present in Albania are operating 7 to 8 french companies, which have won tenders mainly in infrastructure sectors, as road, energy, water pipe lines etc. The presence of commercial enterprises is almost insignificant. "About Albania in french economic circles is little known. This is a result of 50 year isolation policy followed by communist dictatorship in Albania. On the other hand legislative conditions, which provide guarantee for French private capital has just improved. "Also, infrastructure remains a problem for the investors," said Francis Chaume, commercial attache to French Embassy in Tirana and representative of French economic expansion centre, opened up a year ago in Tirana. "Since the opening of the centre french businessmen have shown an increased interest," explains Chaume. "Up to now I have assisted hundreds of private companies to come and see the conditions for investment," added he. Anyway there is a hesitation on their part to settle in Albania. ALB- DUCROS company, PEUGEOT representatives and some other companies are not enough considering economic french power, worth mentioning is the fact that the franc has strong economic ties with 166 countries. To attract french companies to invest in Albania, recently French Center of Foreign Trade staged a conference in which participated more than 60 french companies. This meeting was a full success especially, regarding the report delivered by Chaume on Albania. It contained an economic and political analysis of the current situation and the conditions that the country offers to foreign investors. It also underlined the fact that Albania is a rich country and with French speaking population. "I would advice french companies to come and invest, primarily in processing agricultural products, a field in which France is one of the most experienced countries in the world", concluded Chaume. /A.Laze Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] POLL OF U.S. INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN INSTITUTE SHOWS 58 PER CENT OF ELECTORS HAVE VOTED FOR DP AND 22 PER CENT FOR SPTIRANA, Oct. 22 (ata) - An exit poll just published by the U.S. International Republican Institute right after the Sunday elections shows that 58 per cent of the interviewed have voted for DP and 22 per cent for SP, correspondent of the Voice of America in Tirana Mero Baze reports.The poll is not focused only on the election day but it carries various replies to a number of political problems of Albania. According to the poll, 84 per cent of the interviewed think that Albania is going on a right track and 15 per cent think it has taken a wrong way. Positive are the considerations for the economic achievements and the progress made in the democratization of the economy. Regarding the May 26 Parliamentary elections, 65 per cent of the interviewed said that the May 26 electoral process was correct and 32 per cent think it was unjust. On the other hand, 43 per cent of the interviewed think that the May 26 elections had no problem at all, whereas 23 per cent think that the problems did not influence in the election result, and 26 reply that the polls turnout was affected. Besides, 68 per cent of the interviewed think that the Oct. 20 elections were better than those of May 26, and 25 per cent said they are the same. 55 per cent of the voters think that SP should take its place in the Parliament whereas 38 per cent think it should not carry out this act. The Institute has replies also regarding inner developments in SP. 40 per cent of the interviewed think that the changes made in the SP leadership have improved this party, whereas 33 per cent think that they have not brought about any difference, 23 per cent think that they have deteriorated the situation. sk/n/pas/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] ALBANIAN DEPUTY PREMIER MEETS DELEGATION OF CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARIANSTIRANA, OCT 22 (ATA) - The Albanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Tritan Shehu, met Tuesday a delegation of Canadian parliamentarians, headed by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Canada, David Kilgour, Albanian Foreign Ministry press and information office reports.Shehu briefed the Canadian parliamentarians of the victory of the Democratic Party in the local elections, considering it a landslide, convincing, and overwhelming victory. On the behalf of the Canadian people, Kilgour congratulated Shehu on the victory and the success in elections. The Canadian politicians took interest in the renovation of the Albanian socialists and their return to Parliament. In this regard Shehu pointed out that their loss in the polls was a result of non-renovation, domination of their last congress by conservatives, and the removal of moderate elements from the party leadership. "We want the Albanian socialists to follow the way of the European social-democrats, because the country needs a strong opposition. We hope the socialists will return to parliament and take their seats there. But, even if they do not come, we will continue to woekinf to promote our democracy and reforms," stressed Shehu. We are interested to intensify our relations with Canada, said Shehu, focusing on fields of economy and health services. Mutual high ranking visits can be made as well, suggested Shehu. The head of the Canadian delegation, Kilgour, expressed his readiness to strengthen the cooperation and to help elevate the level of Albanian parliamentarians and perfect Albanian judiciary. /s.sh/kei/mt/xh/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT MEETS DEPUTY SPEAKER OF CANADIAN PARLIAMENTTIRANA, OCT 23 (ATA)-Albanian Speaker of Parliament, Pjeter Arbnori, on Wednesday met the Canadian delegation, led by deputy speaker of the Canadian parliament, David Kilgour, the parliament press and information office reports.Arbnori thanked the delegation for Canada's contribution to Albania over the last years, especially as regards health, and said that the bilateral Albanian-Canadian relations would be further expanded and strengthened in the future. Speaking of the elections Arbnori told the Canadian guests that all the delegations who observed the October 20 local elections had very positive considerations and declared them democratic, free and fair, conform the democratic standards. Later they discussed possibilities and fields of cooperation between Canada and Albania through attraction of Canadian assistance and investment in Albania for the intensification of the economic and institutional reform. Another aspect of cooperation was the inter-parliamentary one. On this occasion Arbnori invited his Canadian counterpart for a possible visit to Albania. Mr. Kilgour and the other delegation members hailed Albania's progress in the years of democracy and expressed the belief that the Canadian assistance would be more intensive in the future. In this context they told Mr. Arbnori that many modern equipment would soon arrive in Albania for Hospital 2 and promised to bring in up-to-date apparatuses of the nuclear type for the University Hospital Centre. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] CENTRE POLE SAYS ELECTIONS WERE FREE BUT NOT FAIRTIRANA, OCT 23 (ATA)-By M. Kora,The leaders of the Centre Pole, union of the Democratic Alliance Party and the Social-Democratic Party, have declared that the October 20 local elections were free but not fair. Despite modest results the Pole leaders have confirmed its declaration as the third political force on a national scale, winning councillors in most of the districts, municipalities and communes. Some of the pole candidates will hold runoff poll. "We restored our trust to democracy, considering the October 20 elections the first correct step on the road of establishing the new constitution and of switching onto the general elections," DAP President, Neritan Ceka, said at a news conference on Wednesday. The October 20 elections partially corrected the May 26 farce, although boycotted by a record number of voters, especially opposition ones, says the Centre Pole statement issued at the news conference. This abstention-boycott in the October 20 elections, due to the May 26 elections, showed, according to the statement, that trust in the fairness of the voting remains shaken among a great number of citizens, also practically dealing a serious blow to the whole opposition. For this dramatic boycott, the Pole also blames the Socialist Party, whose primary aim was to win over the party-state, and not to restore the voters' trust to the free vote. According to the Pole, there have been a large number of irregularities and sophisticated tricks in various polling stations and constituencies, for which it will follow the legal way of denunciation. kled/lm/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] ELECTIONS WERE FREE, WE HAVE COME OUT THIRD - GodoTIRANA, OCT 23 (ATA)-By A. Baci,The Republican Party chairman, Sabri Godo, said at a news conference on Wednesday the elections were free, calm and fair. Godo said the elections ranked the RP the third on a national scale. He said the party gained victory in several constituencies and suffered failure in the constituencies they thought would win. Godo holds that these elections brought about an easing of the political situation and will be a fresh breathing for the operation of the local government in Albania. "In the runoff ballot we will call on the electorate that, in the constituencies where we do not have candidates, to vote for the right wing forces," said Godo responding to a question what would be his appeal to the electorate in the runoff vote. Godo also referred to a meeting on Tuesday with the DP chairman, Tritan Shehu, saying that: "We have reached no agreement with any force and do not think to do this in the runoff ballots, either. I only made known to Shehu my remarks regarding the irregularities observed". Asked whether he considered positive the opposition's not boycotting the elections, he said that: "I maintain the boycott hinders the good development of democracy and allows the opponent to win more". jz/lm/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] THIS WILL BE MY FINAL REFUTATION - IslamiTIRANA, OCT 23 (ATA)-By A. Baci,The Socialist Party Presidency member, Kastriot Islami, has dismissed a report on his possible resignation from politics and the Socialist Party. "This will be my final refutation because this report is a gesture of jealousy on the part of the state power of my performance. Considering the emerging problems transitional I will continue to engage myself in politics, " Islami told ATA. "In the latest elections the SPA committed itself to take part unhesitatingly in free and fair elections," Islami said adding that "now the greatest preoccupation is to participate and prepare a SP victory in the constituencies in which we will hold runoff ballot, although we noticed numerous irregularities. "The manipulation took place in the late hours. Darkness helped it," Secretary General Mejdani said at the news conference one day after the local government elections. All the organisations that monitored the elections in Albania shared the view that the elections were free, fair and democratic. kled/lm/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] APPEAL COURT UPHOLDS JAIL TERMS FOR FOUR COMMUNIST PARTY FOUNDERSTIRANA, OCT 23 (ATA)- By Eva Allushi, The Appeal Court upholds the verdict of the Tirana (district) Court for the Communist Party founders, Sami Meta, Tomoshenko Pekmezi, Kristaq Mosko and Tare Isufi, who have pleaded innocence at the Appeals Court.Today's trial gave a two year prison term to Timoshenko Pekmezi, one year to Tare Isufi, one to Kristaq Mosko and two years and a half to Sami Meta. The four defendants, arrested in February 1995, have been accused of recreating the Communist Party since 1992. They said their aim was to recreate a new Communist Party which would be a party of a new type and that its programme was against the use of violence and that they would ask legalisation from the Justice Ministry. "The Party would operate according to the 45 year experience of the PLA led by Enver Hoxha", declared in one of the legal sitting Timoshenko Pekmezi, confirming he declared the creation of the party in 1.5.1993 in the newspaper Jehona". According to the main Constitutional provisions in the Republic of Albania, the creation of the communist parties or of similar ones in Albania is considered anti-constitutional and illegal. kled/lm/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] ALBANIAN PREMIER LEAVES FOR MOSCOW TO TAKE PART IN BSEC MEETINGTIRANA, OCT 23 9ATA)- Albanian Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi on Wednesday left for Moscow to take part in the meeting of the state and government heads of the countries participating in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the Premier's press and information office reports.Meksi will also conduct a series of meetings with his counterparts, present in this activity. s.sh/kled/lm/sh/ 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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