Local products entry to the market lowers the price of vegetables.

TIRANA - Entry into the market of domestic production has decreased somewhat vegetable prices in the country. For three months, the price of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, green salad, etc.., were in maximum increasing further the cost of living in the country. It seems that this phenomenon is stopped when trader’s stalls are filled with local products which are normally sold at cheaper prices.

Banks and Albanian citizens circulated around 202 billion Lek in 2010

TIRANA - Banks and Albanian citizens circulated around 202 billion Lek over the last year. This amount is divided into different denominations of banknotes and coins.

According to the Bank of Albania, citizens and banks circulated about 270 million pieces of coins and banknotes, of which about 153.4 million pieces are banknotes and 116 million are coins.
There was a 40% increase compared to the previous year on replaced notes by the banks.

UNDP to Support ‘Digital Albania’

The Albanian Minister for Information, Communications Technology and Innovation Genc Pollo and United Nations Resident Coordinator, Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun signed on Friday a project that will support Albania’s National Digital Agenda, Tv Scan reports.

The project foresees technical assistance to create a complete legal framework, strengthening the public and private partnerships in this regard as well as the application of the most advanced standards in the area of Information and Communication Technology.

Kanye West in relationship with Miss Universe Albania Angela Martini

Kanye West has a new gal pal: Miss Universe Albania Angela Martini. Sources close to the NEXT Model Management brunette say Martini and West have been seeing each other for a few months, though it's unclear how serious things are.

A policeman caught transporting drugs

Police in Gjirokastra announced on Sunday (May 15th) that a fellow police officer was stopped and arrested while transporting drugs. Ervin Hysa was allegedly carrying 75kg of cannabis as he tried to leave the city. Officials say the drugs, bought in the nearby village of Lazarat, were bound for Tirana.

"An Albanian-American Dream: From hardship to Nobel Prize"

Brooklyn, New York

In the oak paneled Robert F. Furchgott Library full of manuscripts and scientific devices encased behind glass that only a scientist could appreciate, SUNY Downstate Medical Center welcomed Nobel Laureate Dr. Ferid Murad. For me, and many of my colleagues, this was a dream come true: we were about to meet a Nobel Laureate! However, this meeting held a deeper meaning and significance than just the adrenaline rush of being in the presence of this sage.

Sigal Holding demonstrates strong growth & performance in 2009

Elina Demai, ALBANIAN TIMES

Although year 2009 was a difficult year for the world economy and therefore also for the Albanian economy, it appears that Sigal Holding, which operates in Albania, Kosovo & Macedonia, has managed to escape the decline in markets and perform higher than expectations. SIGAL Holding which is an insurance company grew by over 21% in 2009 grew by 21 percent. At the AGM, attended by Director General, Mr Avni Ponari & also directors of departments and branches of SIGAL uniq GROUP AUSTRIA Albania (Non-Life), Life uniq SIGAL Austria Group (Life), uniq ad Skopje (Non-Life) and SIGAL uniq GROUP AUSTRIA Kosovo (Non-Life), performance in 2009 was analysed. Premiums increased by approximately €32 million. This increase has occurred in three markets of three states, in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia

Albania Dodges Recession & Forecasts Further Economic Growth in 2010

Elina Demai, ALBANIAN TIMES

The Minister for Economy, Trade and Energy, Mr. Dritan Prifti, said yesterday that Albania will be the country with the highest economic growth in Europe in 2010. The minister, who was attending a ceremony in Veneto bank, also attended by other members of government, business representatives, and representatives of the banking group Veneto, spoke of how Albania was the country with highest economic growth in 2009 and how it is expected to be even higher in 2010, in the region of 4 - 5%. Growth was 3% in 2009. He added 'Albania is a country that grows.'

EP: The removal of visas for Albania: A technical, non-political process

Erind Kurti, ALBANIAN TIMES

The European Parliament has categorically expressed that the abolition of visas for Albania is a technical process and should not be confused with the political process.

In a phone interview for Albanian Times, the European Deputy of the Green Group, Marije Cornelissen, found that the progress she has seen in Albania has been very impressive and as such, the group will recommend voting in favour of lifting the visa.

Berisha: Main Square in Tirana in a catastrophic status

Erind Kurti, ALBANIAN TIMES

This is the picture today of Tirana’s main square which has been described by the prime minister as being in a catastrophic status.. Berisha has charged the minister of public works and transportation Sokol Olldashi with the task of getting the main square on its feet. This is the main square of the capital and it is a shame that the 10 million dollars donated for the project of Tirana’s main square renovation by the Kuwaiti government has not been done yet.

Is Albania to become an Energy superpower in 5 years

Elina Demai, ALBANIAN TIMES

There has been renewed discussion surrounding the somewhat controversial plans for Italy to build a nuclear power station in Albania. Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berluscone has said that Italy will set up a nuclear power station in Albania. In an interview with Italian newspaper, Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno "Berlusconi has thrown light on the previous uncertainties concerning the possibility of establishing nuclear power plant. According to him, the plant will be established in the framework of a cooperation project in a friendly country, as is Albania. He has rejected the idea of establishing the plant in Pulia, acknowledging that the region is already energy-independent and does not need such a plant".

Advances in the Telephony Market mean Savings for Customers

Elina Demai, ALBANIAN TIMES

Increased competition in the mobile telephony market in Albania, as a result of regulatory requirement for reduction of tariffs, has brought visible benefits to the customer. These benefits for clients of cellular companies in the country have been estimated in the region of 35 million euro by the Authority of Electronic & Postal Communication (Autoritetit ne Komunikimin Elektronik dhe Postar). Selami Xhepa has commented that mobile tariffs in Albania are now below the European average. As a result of the decrease in tariffs, AKEP has determined an increase in outgoing calls by customers from 30 to 60 minutes compared to previous years.

Berisha: Future budget to concentrate on major projects

Erind Kurti, ALBANIAN TIMES


Albanian Premier, Sali Berisha, said that next year budget is going to be concentrated on some important projects and is not going to be divided in pieces, as has been the rule in the past. Albanian Premier considered this practice as a wrong one. “Next year budget will concentrate on major projects and will not be distributed in 1800 projects, as has been the practice on the past.

Keeping drivers moving with digital theory tests

Elina Demai, ALBANIAN TIMES

Albanian authorities have now introduced digital driving test theory in most centres. Until now Albanians have been taking the driving theory test in papers but now this is been introduced in computers in digital format. Road and Safety authority in Fier completed the operating system through which applicants for driving licenses will answer theoretical questions in front of a computer rather then writing it in a paper.

First steps to a new Southern Motorway - Tirana to Elbasan

Elina Demai, ALBANIAN TIMES

A new stretch of highway, running from the capital of Albania, Tirana, to Elbasan, further south, has been presented and is expected to be completed within two years. The first phase of this project will see a new highway stretching approximately 31km, consisting of 4 lanes, with two tunnels extending 2.3 and 2.1 miles being constructed between these two cities, with further stages planned to extend the motorway to Berat and Tepelene.

Another hurdle to EU membership: Investigation into Organ-Trafficking reopened

Elina Demai, ALBANIAN TIMES

Albanian Foreign Minister Ilir Meta has confirmed that Albania will cooperate with international institutions on the organ trafficking investigation. The investigation relates to allegations that ethnic Albanian fighters killed and then trafficked the organs of Serbs captured in the 1999 Kosovo conflict. The claims first arose six years ago in the memoirs of former UN chief war crimes prosecutor Carla Del Ponte, entitled 'Madame Prosecutor'

Serbian officials say up to 400 Kosovo Serbs vanished during the war, and a number of those may have been subjected to the practice in the alleged "yellow house" in Albania. Carla Del Ponte portrayed the "yellow house" as a building in Albania where organs might have been surgically removed from the victims.
Kosovo and Albania have strongly denied the allegations of organ trafficking.

Based on the evidence and testimonies of more than 130 witnesses collected by Serbia’s war crimes prosecutor, Serbia had requested an investigation to be reopened but this was rejected by officials in Tirana last year. The Council of Europe has since announced that an investigation will be opened and led by a former Swiss prosecutor, Dick Marty.

Albanian authorities believe that the allegations have no foundation and have denied the claims at all times. Outsiders have suggested that to make this issue die, Albania will need to show their cooperation and demonstrate they will work with an independent investigation team. As Albania strives to join the EU, a lack of cooperation could only serve to delay this dream for the people there.

Over aged Albania outclass Northern Irish youngsters

March 03, 2010| Altin Zeqiri, ALBANIAN TIMES

Albania beat Northern Ireland 1 - 0 in a friendly match in Qemal Stafa, Tirana.
All odds were for northern Irish side to win in Tirana but the classy Albanians were unbreakable.

British newspapers predicted 2 - 0 to the Irish side but they were basing the facts of better side in the FIFA world ranking with Northern Ireland ranked at the 39th place whilst Albania on the 96th place.

The only goal of the match for Albanians came on the 28th minute. The 33 year old Ervin Skela on his 60th international cap curls home a magnificent 25-yard free-kick after George McCartney had been hauled back for a challenge on Erion Bogdani. Albania gets the goal their first-half play deserves.

In the second half Stephen Craigan headed against the bar and then fired a shot against a post with Rory Patterson almost scoring from the rebound.

The match was played on a quagmire of a playing surface and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Maik Taylor was called into action on 24 minutes when he tipped over a long-range dipping effort from Skela.

Substitute goalkeeper Tuffey saved a Salahi header, and also a low drive from Bakaj.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington saw his side outplayed by Albania in the friendly in Tirana.

Albania were well in control and Angolli dragged a shot wide in the 42nd minute with the defence all at sea.

Northern Ireland’s record scorer David Healy was back in the starting line-up but Sammy Clingan was a late withdrawal with a virus and was replaced by Michael O'Connor.

Albania was by far the better side in the 90 minutes and had many chances to double the scoring. A well deserved win for the home side.

Albania: Hidi, Lila, Dallku, Vangjeli, Angolli, Lala, Curri, Bulku, Duro, Skela, Bogdani. Subs: Beqaj, Cana, Kapllani, Hyka, Bakaj, Vila, Salihi.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, Little, McGivern, McCartney, Craigan, O'Connor, McGinn, Davis, Healy, Lafferty, McCann. Subs: Tuffey, Carson, Kirk, Shiels, Patterson, Evans.

Referee: Elir Pilav (Sarajevo)

FIFA World Cup 1966
The first time that Albania competed for a place in the world's elite, for the 1966 World Cup in England, was in a match against Netherlands on 24 May 1964. Drawn in Group 5 with the Dutch were also Northern Ireland and Switzerland. Albania's only point in the qualification round came from a 1–1 draw at home to Northern Ireland in Tirana, which denied Northern Ireland a place in the Finals.

Rank – Team – Pts
1 – Switzerland - 9
2 - Northern Ireland – 8
3 - Netherlands – 6
4 – Albania - 1

Greek crisis enters Albania

March 03, 2010| Elina Demai, ALBANIAN TIMES

Greek economy crisis is entering in Albania. Found unemployed in Greece emigration is returning back home increasing the numbers of unemployed in the live registers in Albania.

The crashed economy in Greece has now entered Albania and if the Greek tourism which employs 500 000 Albanians, doesn’t pick up quickly the number of unemployment in Albania could rise at all time high. Albanian government is taking all the necessary steps to accommodate those returned from Greece in the tourism sector whilst they bring the experience back home but the number entering every day is much higher then Albania can afford at this time in the tourism sector.

Tourism is now contracting at high with the season preparations but how long is the this going to continue is the question!? How many Albanians will come back is what everyone is asking? Will this have an effect on the 8% growth in Albanian economy that was published at the beginning of the year?

No one can answer those questions but what the government is saying that visitors entering Albania is doubling every year, this will create jobs. At the moment sector of tourism alone employs 350 000 and this will increase to 500 000.

The sector of agriculture is the second largest which employs 400 000 Albanians in Greece and this has been hit the hardest. The reason this has been hit the hardest is that Greek banks are low on capital and loans are hard to get hands on. This has caused businesses and factories shutting down and imports/exports crashing at the bottom with no money in their hands to do business. Greek banks are using the money wisely, at least that little that is left! Economist Andrea Papagalis told Albanian Times: If a loan is given in agriculture sector another is needed in the exporting that product to the consumer, there is not enough money for both! either we produce the tomato or transport the tomato!

The Greek government has announced there will be cuts in civil servants' salaries. This is to ease the financial crisis facing the country but will also mean that people will have less money to spend and this will effect every business and hit the economy even worse overall. If a couple is working in the school they will get a cut of about 10% which means 20% less income in the in the family! Well they afford to go on holidays? Will this effect tourism!? We don't have the answer to that but you can guess!

Albanians who have worked in agriculture in Greece returning back home could find it easier to get employment. Albanian banks had a growth even at the year the banking system collapsed worldwide. Albanian bank have plenty of capital for country's businesses and whilst the economy is on the growth is very easily to secure a loan at a low rate. The government has introduced the tax for unused farm land and this should create jobs for those returning from Greece and bring home the experience gained working in agriculture in Greece. The government has also introduced loans at 0% rates used for agriculture and this sector is forecast to double the product from last year.

The government of Albania has taken all the right steps but the number of Albanians working and living in Greece is 1 200 000 and if half of those returned back home Albanian unemployment registers could hit the roof!

Albania is developing and the economy is on rise. Agriculture and tourism are the two sectors on the rise contracting the double from year on year but is that enough. Albania is not well developed country and with half a million on the registers the unemployment could have an effect in the growth forecasted for 2010.




Tourism in Albania is doing all it can to promote the country, millions are being pumped in to make sure that Albania represents itself in every international forum and makes itself competitor to other Mediterranean countries. TV advertisements about “Europe’s Last Secret” and “Mediterranean Love” Albania, are promoting the country in most prestigious TV channels such as BBC, EuroNews and CNN. This will increase the number of visitors entering Albania which is making itself competitor to the neighbouring countries but will this employ everyone returning from Greece? This remain to be seen!


Albanian economy is on a growth of 5-9% year on year and this is not showing a sign of slow down. Albania was not affected in the 2008 bank crisis and it took all the mandatory steps in preventing a crash in the banking sector.

The director of Bank of Albania Adrian Fullani, declared yesterday that from today the currency of the secondary (arm) banks transferring funds outside Albania is open whilst this was stopped in 2008 caused by the unrest in the world markets and banks loosing big in shares.

Banking Crisis:
In the banking sector in Albania 38% is connected to greek banking system as the secondary banks. Whilst Greek economy is at the edge of disaster the luck of those banks in the hands of Athens! Although Tirana bank, subsidiary of Pireus bank had a growth of 6% last year it has seen job cuts in attempt of cost saving plan.

Business Crisis:
Albanian business has seen a slow down in exports to Greece. Businessman Koço Qirjako whose company exports Mermer tiles and stones to Greece has seen a decline by 40% in exports. He says he is looking into different markets to get rid of the storage he has piled up in the warehouse as he doesn’t see the end of the tunnel in the Greek market. Pallets of tiles are stock on my warehouse and there is no more room for storage but I have no choice but stop production and to pay my employees for staying home. I have 6 months worth of exports piled in my warehouses and I have no where to sell it he says. I have been contacting different markets to get rid of my storage as there is no hope in Greek market to pick anytime soon. Times are tough at the moment and the Greek imports in general have dropped by 40%.

Reportage on Albania showed in CNN and BCC:


All eyes on tourism in Albania:
CNN:

CNN:


EuroNews:


BBC:

Where everyone is hundred years old!

March 03, 2010| Erind Kurti, ALBANIAN TIMES

Plyku is a small village in the district of Fier, about three kilometres outside the city of Fier in the south west of Albania. A village first habited just before the 1800 has taken its big name from the long life of its people. The population of the village increased to 10 000 in the last few decades with 2500 houses but most of those now empty because of the immigration and only used as holiday homes in the summer. In the village only old people can be seen! When you first arrive you feel like you are in a different planet! You don’t hear babies crying, you can’t see kids running, no teenagers playing and not a young man standing in the street flirting as can be seen in most villages around. This is a particular one hence the feeling of a different planet!

Albania Press Review - February 22

February 22, 2010 | Erind Kurti, Albanian Times

Headlines of today’s newspapers in Albania:
Here are the top stories in Albania’s main newspapers.


Gazeta Koha Shqiptare:
Macedonia removes Kosova from the map in the school texts. In the texts of the primary school books, Macedonian authorities have removed Kosova as a neighbor by only mentioning Serbia as their neighbor country in the north. “Koha Shqiptare” published that Macedonian authorities in the last two decades has created tensions between Macedonians and the Albanian population in Macedonia which count for 40% of total population.

Gazeta Shekulli:
Talks between the Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the opposition Socialist Party Edi Rama continue with the mediation of the country's president. The talks aim to find common ground and resolve Albania’s political stalemate by the end of the week.

Gazeta 55:
Italian media choose Albania as must visit 2010 place. Italian media has ranked Albania in the first place for the must visit places for Europeans in 2010. It’s rich Archaeology and the cheap prices Albania is at the top of the window in every Italian holiday tour agency.


Gazeta SHQIP:
North of Albania could be hit by floods again. Authorities of the main hydro-central stations have open the gates due to the water being too high caused but the heavy rains in Macedonia and the level of water in the central stations increasing intensively.

Albanian authorities have open the gates of the hydro-central stations of Fierza, Koman and Vau i Dejes, which might contribute to more flooding in Shkoder and several villages near the Adriatic Sea.

Gazeta METROPOL:
Diplomatic passports removed from Opposition party. The government has issued a warrant to remove the diplomatic passports from the members of parliament of opposition party if they do not enter the parliament by the end of the week.