Albanian-Croatian ties, an economic point of view

Nga: Gjergj Buxhuku

I see in the latest visits of the representatives of the Croatian government to Albania an expression of the will to promote the historically very good atmosphere between our nations and countries, including Kosovo, even in the economic and trade exchanges. For the sake of truth, the latter has plenty of space to be exploited. 

The Illyrian roots exist among Albanians and Croats and they have similar geostrategic long- term interests which create conditions for economic cooperation in the mutual interest. In my work contacts I have found that it is true that Albanian businesses have not discovered and have little information on the Croatian market and the partnership for investments and bilateral trade. For well known reasons, the situation is different in Kosovo.

Trade between Albania and Croatia is at low levels. And it is precisely this the task of the institutions like those of the state, economic diplomacy and business organizations. Work must be stepped up on learning on each other, finding of the cooperation spaces. Konfindustria is ready to cooperate having as a goal the recognition of the industrial, technological, trade capacities of the Croatian economy and vice versa. Business forums can be organized to present industries, technology, equipments, machineries and other goods in Albania and Croatia.

On the other hand, I think that now the partnership between the businesses of our two states and Kosovo can be established for joint investments in the region. I would like to underscore that time is ripe to be prepared as businesses of the two countries to participate even in big projects which are being prepared by the EU and international institutions like the Ionian Adriatic Pipeline (IAP) natural gas pipeline, the Adriatic motorway network etc.

Albania and Kosovo need to receive the experience of the EU integration process, the impact of the EU integration process on economy and especially on local production and industries, the preparation of the trade and economic legislation to cope with the added competition in the European common market, the preparation of public and private public strategic markets in all integration stages of the process, the role of the regulatory authorities of the markets etc.

The past experience of Croatia is an added value which should be exploited by the businesses and governments of Albania and Kosovo. 

Also, the experience and connections of Croatia for the construction of joint projects should be exploited to profit from international financings, particularly from the EU. We should not forget the necessity to profit from the Croatian experience in such sectors as environment protection, tourism, seaport industries etc.  

Konfindustria is ready to cooperate to start work on knowing better each- other for common economic, business and institutional profits of two historical friendly nations of Albania and Croatia that share long-term strategic interests.

Author is General Administrator of Konfindustria

Albanian Daily News