FIAA, (Foreign Investors Association of Albania) would like to inform you on the success of the 3rd Edition of the Albanian Natural Resources ExpoConference, which was held on April 19th, 2012, in the Palace of Congresses, Tirana, Albania.
Part of the panel of the Opening Session of this important event were the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha, the Ambassador of Australia, Mrs. Jenny Bloomfield, The Deputy Minister of METE, Mr. Neritan Alibali and the FIAA Board of Directors presided from its President Mr. Patrick Pascal.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Berisha highlighted that Albania is on the threshold of exploiting its numerous natural resources in water potentials, renewable energy resources, gas, hydrocarbons, minerals etc and converting them into real values for the Albanian citizens is their main governing scope. Albania presents numerous opportunities for sustainable growth, in particular for green and renewable energy resources, gas pipeline, world chrome deposits surpassing the quality of Canada production, for iron-nickel potentials etc. “We are hardly committed to become member of the EITI and we are very grateful to the Netherlands for this initiative”.
The Australian Ambassador expressed her will for a future collaboration among Australian companies and Albania and also shared some insights from their experience in natural resources and sustainable development.
FIAA underlined that Albania is a good destination for investments and the conference has highlighted some remarkable success stories.This multidimensional real opportunity, built in cooperation with the Ministry and many other partners provided Albania with serious and committed investors.
When FIAA first started doing this conference in 2008 there were companies coming for the first time in Albania, some others with their projects in papers and some others only in their minds. It is our pleasure to confirm that today some of these projects are facts on the ground.
This year the Conference counted more than 100 delegates and the Exhibition more than 50 companies and functional agencies. Their presence aimed to attract new investors seeking for the Albanian natural resources and support the political visions of the government to expand transparency.
Major projects in Albania were in the center of attention, mainly Devoll Hydropower, Tirex Resources, Petromanas Albania GbmH and its new partnership with Shell, the global oil giant who is entering the Albanian market now and the first major Hydropower project after 30 years which will be opened soon at the Drin River by the Austrian Concessionaires EVN and VERBUND, ARMO, Amadeus Group, Fushe Kruja Cement Factory which celebrated their 15th years experience in Albania, Antea Cement part of TITAN Group, Albanian Chrome, Wenerg sh.a, JAB Resources, Selenice Bitumi sh.a, Stream Oil & Gas, Emporiki Bank, Societe Generale Albania, the Independent Mining Organization of Kosovo, etc.
FIAA emphasized the need for a continuous improvement of the investment climate and welcomes the renewed drive for competiveness led by the Prime Minister and especially the removal of VAT for imported machinery which will considerably facilitate major investments in Albania.
The announced economic reform package is of strategic importance to the Investors community in Albania. Albania has a unique track record in SEE in realizing major infrastructure, industrial and energy investments and FIAA is appealing for a national consensus to support such projects beyond daily politicking.
FIAA would like to reassure you about our sincere commitment to be your first guide in this country and an important drive for its economic activity.