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EBRD President Lemierre to visit Albania
EBRD President Jean Lemierre begins a three-day visit to Albania on Wednesday
during which he will meet the President of the Republic of Albania, Alfred
Moisiu, Prime Minister Fatos Nano, as well as other senior government
officials. Mr Lemierre will also meet with representatives of the country’s
largest companies and banks, and members of the international community based
in the Albania. It will be his first visit to the country.
The visit will serve to underline the importance the EBRD attaches to the
development of the Western Balkans and the Bank’s support for Albania. During
the visit, Mr Lemierre is expected to sign a deal that will support Albania’s
cement industry, helping to meet the country’s growing demands and reducing
the country’s reliance on cement imports. This project comes on the back of a
€40 million loan signed just two months ago to Korporata Elektroenergjetike
Shqiptare, the state-owned power utility, to help improve power supply for
residents and businesses across the country.
Mr Lemierre is also expected to encourage the authorities to continue to push
on with reforms and tackle corruption to establish a business environment that
will attract much-needed domestic and foreign investment.
The EBRD is one of the largest investors in Albania, having approved around
€210 million in 17 projects, in sectors ranging from power to telecoms and
insurance and banking to property and tourism.
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