ALSWISS TO ORGANIZE AN ECONOMIC FORUM ON ALBANIAN TOURISM IN 2021

Fatjon Demneri, the Co-Founder of the Albanian Swiss Chamber of Commerce (ALSWISS) says that there are more than 1,700 companies in Switzerland established by Albanian entrepreneurs, as well as around 100 Swiss companies operating in Albania.

ALSWISS was co-founded in the heart of Geneva, Switzerland thanks to the conception by the entrepreneur and financier Mr. Erenik Yzeiraj, who has vast financial experience and supported by Fatjon Demneri coming from the world of multilateral diplomacy with a legal background.

“ALSWISS was constituted due to a lack of an institutional basis in terms of commercial relationships between Albania and Switzerland. Until recently, every business agreement or commercial initiative was fragmented. ALSWISS fills the void by channelling the various bilateral commercial relations of both markets,” Demneri told TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE. Taking into account the current policies of Albania, as well as the business climate, Demneri underlined, ALSWISS concentrates its activities in areas such as tourism, agriculture, culture, real estate investments, the services industry and others.

The Swiss development and cooperation program with Albania 2018-2021 envisages a total investment of CHF 26 million per year.

FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:

What is the story behind the establishment of the AlbanianSwiss Chamber of Commerce? Is it a joint initiative?

ALSWISS was constituted due to a lack of an institutional basis in terms of commercial relationships between Albania and Switzerland. Until recently, every business agreement or commercial initiative was fragmented. ALSWISS fills the void by channeling the various bilateral commercial relations of both markets. ALSWISS was co-founded in the heart of Geneva, Switzerland as a joint initiative thanks to the conception by the entrepreneur and financier Mr. Erenik Yzeiraj, who has vast financial experience and supported by myself as someone coming from the world of multilateral diplomacy with a legal background. This great initiative has been well supported since the beginning of its journey by the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Switzerland, the Geneva Canton Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIG) and dozens of representatives from Swiss and Albanian companies.

Can you describe the objectives and projects of the Chamber for 2021 and beyond?

The main objective of the Chamber is to serve as a networking organization. ALSWISS aims to establish and develop business and commercial relations between the Swiss Confederation and Albania.

At the core of our activities are events on different business topics, or VIP events with company executives, that we organize mainly in Geneva, Switzerland. These events provide excellent opportunities to meet business leaders from different regions and industries. Taking into account the current policies of Albania, as well as the business climate, ALSWISS concentrates its activities in areas such as tourism, agriculture, culture, real estate investments, the services industry, etc.

In 2021, ALSWISS will try to organize an economic forum with a focus on Albanian Tourism. The idea will be to have panellists from the world of business, Albanian Government representatives and various entrepreneurs from both countries.

What are the main issues the Chamber is advocating for? What is keeping it busy?

Right now, the Chamber is undertaking market analysis and conducting research of the Albanian market on how to introduce certain recycled Swiss products. Dealing with these kinds of products should always be easy as they meet sustainability criteria and preserve the environment.

Sustainable development remains at the heart of the Chamber’s core principles. Albania has taken some steps on thinking ‘GREEN’ and is embracing and developing new policies aimed at facilitating tariffs and taxes for the introduction of products stemming from recycled materials.

Moreover, for the benefit of our members, we are creating platforms where company executives and individuals can meet, connect and generate business opportunities.

How is Albania in the eyes of the Swiss investors and what does the Chamber plan to do to further promote the Albanian image in Switzerland?

Swiss investors see great potential in Albania and this is key for us. ALSWISS will try to promote as much as it can on what Albania offers. This couldn’t be achieved without the support of the Albanian Embassy in Bern. The Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Ilir Gjoni, has always shown a readiness to cooperate with ALSWISS and to facilitate the promotion of the Albanian image.

With the current, challenging situation in Switzerland caused by Covid-19, social media advertising is very helpful. ALSWISS tries to keep its followers up to date with the latest information about Albania on tourism, agriculture, culture, investment policies and so on.

Albania is a hidden gem and Swiss investors are very interested to explore the different opportunities that the market offers. Primarily, the focus of Swiss investors is on the Albanian agriculture sector, the BIO products and the medicinal plants.

Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you are taking on in this position?

The pandemic situation itself is a limitation, per se, for ALSWISS activity. Having two hats in an institution is never easy. Starting an association from scratch requires hard work and lots of effort.

On one hand, as a co-founder I would like to see ALSWISS achieve and deliver what has been in place from the beginning. On the other hand, as a General Manager, I must complete the duties asked of me and have to report periodically to the Board of Directors.

Switzerland is a highly demanding country when it comes to standards and quality. So, if an Albanian product has to be introduced into the Swiss market, it should meet certain criteria and for this, as a Chamber representative, you need to be well informed and simultaneously convincing to the business people about the policies in place to help them meet the criteria at the lowest cost possible.

Do you have a message for the Swiss business community interested in investing in Albania?

The creation of ALSWISS in this difficult global economic situation is an example of faith and conviction and will serve as a generator of new energy and opportunities for Albanian and Swiss companies in the future. It will be an open door and a valuable instrument for entrepreneurs and investors wishing to carry out commercial and economic exchanges between the two countries. There are currently more than 1,700 companies in Switzerland established by Albanian entrepreneurs, as well as around 100 Swiss companies operating in Albania. The Swiss development and cooperation program with Albania 20182021 envisages a total investment of CHF 26 million per year.

I see ALSWISS growing little by little and progressing in a Strong, Healthy and Sustainable way. ALSWISS will be the perfect hub not just for commercial exchanges, but will also serve individuals interested in business relations between Albania and Switzerland.

Fatjon Demneri, the Co - Founder of the Albanian Swiss Chamber of Commerce (ALSWISS)

Sustainable development remains at the heart of the Chamber’s core principles. Albania has taken some steps on thinking ‘GREEN’ and is embracing and developing new policies aimed at facilitating tariffs and taxes for the introduction of products stemming from recycled materials.