Albania and Italy aim to strengthen cooperation in the field of agriculture and increase trade exchanges.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Anila Denaj, was part of the delegation led by Prime Minister Edi Rama during the official visit to Rome, Italy, where she expressed special thanks to the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry of the Republic of Italy, Francesco Lollobrigida, for the support in increasing the export of olive oil “Made in Albania”.
Albania has increased its exports to Italy from 60 litres a year ago to 5200 tonnes in just 8 months this year.
Minister Denaj stressed that this is an expression of the excellent cooperation between companies in the agricultural sector between Albania and Italy. She expressed her full confidence that the cooperation platform discussed between the two countries will contribute to the development of the agri-food and fisheries sector in order to open new markets.
In her speech, Minister Denaj devoted a special place to discussing the opportunities that Albania offers to Italian companies in priority sectors of the rural economy, such as agro-processing, fisheries and agriculture.
“I would like to express my special thanks to my colleague, Minister Lollobrigida, for her support in achieving this result, and I am confident that the cooperation platform discussed will contribute to the development of the agri-food and fisheries sectors in order to improve quality, achieve economies of scale and open up opportunities for new markets,” said Minister Denaj.
During the meeting of the Albania-Italy Joint Committee for Investment, Economic and Social Affairs, highlighting Albania’s role as a strategic partner of Italy in the Balkan.
Minister Denaj was part of the delegation led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, which also included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani, Minister of Finance and Economy Ervin Mete, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Business Climate Delina Ibrahimaj and Minister of Culture Elva Margariti, at the meeting of the Joint Committee for Investments, Economic and Social Affairs, Albania-Italy. The Prime Minister of Italy, Antonio Tajani, where the investment opportunities offered by Albania in the energy, transport and agriculture sectors were discussed in order to further develop the economic potential.
The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, confirmed the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, which have never been at a higher level of cooperation than at present.
Italy is a privileged economic and commercial partner for Albania, as it is one of the main bilateral donors supporting the social and economic development of the country through the financing of a number of programmes.Italy has a consolidated position in the level of foreign direct investments in Albania, being positioned among the 5 main contributors for FDI. Italy is also one of the main partners in the trade exchange, which has increased in recent years, reaching almost 3.5 billion euros in 2022.