AATDA - Albanian American Trade and Development Association

Stability Pact’s Busek Expresses Interest in LED Corridor VIII Activity

In answer to a recent letter sent to him by our Network describing the objectives and activities of the “LED Along Corridor VIII” project, Erhard Busek, The Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, responded that he was very interested to learn about the Network’s activities in support of the corridor. He commended the group for our regional approach and our efforts “to ensure that local communities benefit from the potential created by this vital transportation project.”

Mr. Busek went on to point out that the development and strengthening of economic cooperation among the countries of the SE Europe region is central to the objectives of the Stability Pact and that “the close co-operation among local governments and communities stimulated by your network reflects our view that considerable progress is being made in the region.”

Bulgaria and Albania sign Trade and Transportation Cooperation Agreements

In a late March visit to Tirana by Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg, three agreements were signed between the two countries covering issues related to trade, transportation and education. During his stay, Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg met with Albanian President Alfred Moisiu, Prime Minister Fatos Nano, and Parliament Speaker Servet Pellumbi. Discussions were held on a variety of issues including regional infrastructure projects, organized crime, and bilateral economic and political relationships.

Albania Appoints New Customs Director

The Government of Albania announced in late March the appointment of a new Director of Customs, replacing the previous director who resigned two weeks previously. The new director will be Tatjana Kongoli, who previously served as Economic Assistant to the Permanent Representative of the International Monetary Fund in Tirana. She announced that her top priorities at the Customs Department will be to fight against corruption, smuggling and evasion of custom duties.

Achievements and Problems Noted on Trade and Transport Facilitation In Southeast Europe Project in 2002 Progress Report

A progress report for the year ending 2002 was recently issued on the Trade and Transport Facilitation In Southeast Europe (TTFSE) project citing positive achievements. TTFSE is a four-year initiative funded by the World Bank and other donor agencies that aims to strengthen and modernize the customs administrations and other border control agencies in Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania. The program seeks two development objectives: to reduce non-tariff costs to trade and transport, and to prevent smuggling and corruption at border crossings.

The project hopes to achieve these objectives by: supporting customs reform; strengthening mechanisms of interaction and cooperation between private and public parties at regional, national and local levels; disseminating information and provide training to the private sector; financing infrastructure and equipment at selected border crossings and implementing, at pilot sites, an integrated set of new customs procedures, information technology, human resource management techniques, supporting infrastructure, and cooperation mechanisms for agencies at border crossings. It is hoped that the Customs reform and decreases in trade and transport costs will lead to transparent customs procedures, a more reliable business environment, and economic growth as a result of lower prices of imports and more competitive prices/services for exports. Pilot sites included in the project are active in Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania.

The progress report notes that after almost two years of implementation, the TTFSE program has resulted in very positive achievements, such as: improved dialogue among Customs administrations; constant monitoring of performance through indicators; a public survey published in 2002; training of SMEs’ staff through the Trade Facilitation component; and preliminary evaluation of the economic impact of the program.

Although assessed as globally satisfactory, some recurrent issues were highlighted such as: lack of cooperation in some countries between border crossing agencies; excessive turnover of staff in Customs administration; and insufficient progress in fighting smuggling and corruption.

The full report is available on the TTFSE website at: www.seerecon.org/TTFSE. Also available on the site is a very useful TTFSE Manual and related documents helpful in improving trade facilitation.