The Event’s Moto: “In every difficulty lies opportunity”
On Wednesday, May 21st, 2014 at Sheraton Hotel Tirana, FIAA organized the “Speakers Forum” a new networking format.
The event aimed on bringing together Key Governmental Representatives and the Foreign Business Community. The key Speakers were the Minister of Innovation and Public Administration, Mrs. Milena HARITO and the Minister of Energy and Industry, Mr. Damian GJIKNURI. The Ministers were asked to speak on their main challenges while managing these two key Ministries.
The Forum was chaired by Mr. Dietlof Mare, a Board Member of FIAA and CEO of Vodafone Albania, being also a Supporter of the event.
Minister Harito in her speech highlighted as main challenges, significant progress for electronic communication mentioning e-learni
ng initiative and broad banding for sustainable development.
“The development of broadband has a direct link with economic growth. These innovation initiatives will bring progress and growth of revenues. A priority for us in this moment is the digitalization of all public services to be online and accessed by citizens and mostly, improved online services for businesses and investors”, expressed Mrs. Harito.
Key strategies presented by Minister Gjiknuri included: Reforms, Transparency and Attractive Investment Business Climate.
“Opportunities in the Power Sector are a priority for the investor’s climate in Albania. Here, he mentioned the project of cooperation with Kosovo to exploit and combine power resources to be used by both countries.
Energy sector is a regulated sector facing many difficulties for public and private investors. He also mentioned that they are working for open dialogue in order to make investments secure and sustainable. He assured business to being part of discussions with inputs and issues to be improved and treated. A wide and liquid market will be created aiming to liberalize market with 20% for the coming year. In a few years Albania will have a better position related to power sector –Minister said.
Oil and Gas sector present many investing opportunities. The latest oil discoveries for instance from Shell/Petromanas have grown interest and for this reason the Government is developing competitive auctions for free oil areas.
Concessions based on competitions will be good for public and business and will guarantee transparency. We are working to build a transparent electronic register for concessions allowing everyone to check online for implementing contracts and due deadlines, aiming for transparency and security of contracts.
In the Mining sector, some legal amendments are being undertaken in order to stop fragmenting of the mining areas and increase serious investments”, expressed Mr. Gjiknuri.
The Chairman of the FIAA Energy Committee and Representative of Verbund AG/Energji Ashta, Mr. Dietmar Reiner addressed some questions to the Minister related to the correction rate in the distribution system of power sector, and to the new Energy Law for power sector.
Minister Gjiknuri answered that the correction rate is very important for the power sector and all necessary steps will be considered to adjust it, whereas related to Energy law, FIAA members will contribute with their inputs in the discussion sessions.
The event continued with friendly and informal discussions among the Ministers and the Present Investors. Other Forums will follow in the near future among the FIAA Members and Different Governmental Executives.
FIAA would like to thank Vodafone Albania for sponsoring this event.