The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - which sponsors the Albanian Centre for International Trade (ACIT) and Enterprise Development and Export Market Services (EDEM) – is to sponsor a new programme aimed at developing and improving the leather industry in Albania.

The reason for this sector being pinpointed by USAID is that the leather products industry is one of Albania’s largest employers – with more than 15,000 workers and exports $100 million worth of goods per year - and is seen to have the potential for development and advancement.

The goals of the development programme are to enhance the professionalism of domestic Albanian companies; identify and eliminate structural obstacles to competitiveness; and increase awareness of Albania as a desirable location for production facilities in order to attract foreign businesses.

Italian footwear and leather producers will be the first to be contacted through the programme, due to the high number of Italian companies already producing in Albania, and the proximity of the two countries. The lowest labour costs in Europe along with the geographical accessibility of Albania are seen as being strategically advantageous in increasing foreign investment in the country.

 

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