USAID and Creative Business Solutions (CBS) introduced yesterday the Brand Albania Project in order to support agribusiness and tourism development in Albania.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Niko Peleshi, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Blendi Klosi and USAID Mission Manager in Albania, Catherine Johnson, discussed the importance of the project and the important role of agriculture and tourism in the development of the Albanian economy.The project will create a national troupe for a unified brand of authentic Albanian agricultural products and their integration into tourism initiatives.
Seven public and private institutions will co-ordinate the work to successfully implement the Brand Albania Project. The main partners as members are the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the Albanian American Development Foundation, the Albanian Tourism Association, the General Directorate of Industrial Property and the Agricultural University of Tirana.
The USAID Mission Director in Albania, Dr Catherine Johnson, assessed that through this project it is urged recognition the true values of authentic Albanian products in international markets. This is an important knot in the intertwining and development of agro-tourism in Albania.
"We want to say how much the European Union and the international markets are demanding and attracting traditional products that are certified for their quality and standards. It is precisely this project that will highlight these qualities to promote authentic Albanian products at home and abroad. We know very well how important the agriculture is in Albania and of course its products. The identification of authentic, high quality products will also bring a positive appeal to the Albanian special products.