Albania is the third country in the world for the largest diaspora. 1.7 million citizens live and work mainly in Italy, Greece, the United States of America, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom and Belgium. However, every bad thing has a positive side behind it.
Gjin Gjoka, from the Diaspora Business Chamber, told A2 CNN: "Many immigrants from Dukagjini, Shala, Shoshi, Malësia e Madhe, etc., which are over 230 of them, who have lived and worked abroad for over 10- 12 years, they have returned and invested, mainly in agro-tourism".
Albania's economic benefits from the diaspora also extend in other directions, to capital, knowledge, experience, foreign investments, tourism and above all to the money they bring to families in their homeland. To understand the size of remittances, it is enough to remember that only in the first half of the year they reached 444 million euros.
Adrian Civici, an expert on the economy, emphasizes: "Having a diaspora, or an emigration of over 30 years and more, of course it is no longer the first generation that only sent money and was struggling to integrate in the host countries , but already an important part of the remittances are coming in the form of investments and collaborations in Albania".
The data show that most of the investments from Diaspora Albanians, especially in the last five years, have gone to projects in sectors such as agritourism, tourism, agriculture and financial services.
However, the connection with the origin, especially in terms of the economy, continues to be hindered mainly by the lack of data, the lack of recognition of the capital of origin and the lack of a functional strategy for the integration of the diaspora with the socio-economic life of Albania.
In the wake of the reliefs to be offered, for one of the founders of the Economic Chamber of the Diaspora, there is also the "fiscal amnesty".
"We are still lobbying. We received the promise of Prime Minister Edi Rama. I think it is an obligation we have to the Albanian immigrants", said Gjoka.
According to INSTAT data, which is also accepted by the government, the main reasons that prevent the return of immigrants are the lack of trust in state institutions and corruption and organized crime.
The diaspora, as in its last summit held in Tirana, is being described as "Noah's Ark" for the Albanian economy, which is going through good days, but there are no shortage of increased risks on the horizon. (A2 Televizion)
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