TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022 by jarpin2008

TOURISM | HOSPITALITY | BUSINESS | DIPLOMACY | CULTURE

FEBRUARY 2021

DECEMBER /JANUARY 2022

TOURISM | HOSPITALITY | BUSINESS | DIPLOMACY | CULTURE

FEBRUARY 2021

DECEMBER /JANUARY 2022

ELVANA KURTI: LEAD Albania Program Soon to Hit 100 Fellows

THE TRAILBLAZING SISTERS: WE CHOSE BRAZIL AND BRAZIL EMBRACED US

WORLD’S BEST S U P E R YA C H T M A R I N A as voted by captains and crew

I N Q U I R E T O D AY F O R O U R L A T E S T B E R T H I N G O F F E R I N G A T marinabooking@portomontenegro.com W W W. P O R T O M O N T E N E G R O . C O M

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“HAPPY TO SHARE AN INTERVIEW DONE WITH THE ADORABLE RUDINA HOXHA FOR TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE!” - Valbona Dervishi – Project Coordinator on Innovation at “eu4innovation.”

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“THANK YOU RUDINA FOR THE POSSIBILITY TO SHOW THE ART OF EMA BREGU AND FOR THIS INTERESTING MAGAZINE…WISH YOU SUCCESS! “

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READ PROGRAM TO AWARD

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“THIS LOOKS AMAZING. BIG CONGRATS RUDI.” Biba Drnosek Klomp – Global Forum for Media Development

“CONGRATULATIONS RUDINA FOR THE GREAT JOURNAL! A HIGH-QUALITY JOURNAL THAT MAKES ME PROUD AS ALBANIAN AND OVERALL AS SCIENTIST LEARNING ABOUT THE INTEREST YOU ARE SHOWING FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. ALBANIA AND ALL OUR REGION HAVE SO MUCH NEED FOR SUPPORTING THE SCIENCE AND OVERALL BUILDING A SERIOUS STRATEGY FOR THIS. I WISH FURTHER COLLABORATIONS WITH YOU THAT WOULD GIVE MORE INFO TO YOUR JOURNAL READERS AND OVERALL, TO ALBANIAN INSTITUTIONS FOR TAKING DECISIONS TO BETTER SUPPORT SCIENCE.”

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MESSAGE FROM US FOR THE NEW YEAR

JOSE PINTO Founder of JPHOSPITALITY.EU Contact at: jose.pinto@jphospitality.eu jphospitality.eu

HE 2020, a challenging year for us at JPHOSPITALITY.EU / Trailblazing Magazine, is coming to an end. A year that despite all adversities we stayed true to our principles, values and commitments.

The Trailblazing Magazine project has grown in performance and goals. This could not happen without your help, support and communication. Thanks to your trust, contribution and patronage. We look forward to 2022 and to your continuous partnership and treasured friendship.

RUDINA HOXHA Editor and Co-Founder JPHOSPITALITY.EU Contact at:

We at JP HOSPITALITY .EU / Trailblazing Magazine wish you, all your associates a fantastic New Year with plenty of prosperity and health. We’re looking forward to serving you again in 2022. We can’t thank you enough for all of your support.

rudina.hoxha@jphospitality.eu jphospitality.eu

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORTED AND COOPERATED WITH US AT THE TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE DURING 2021

OUR MESSAGE TO YOU FOR 2022 IS:

2022

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R E A L E S TAT E

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WE CHOSE BRAZIL AND BRAZIL EMBRACED US BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO

n amazing “piece” of

From a trip to United States as a result

Albania pulses strongly

of the first US Green card lotery in Kukes

in the State of Ceara,

to Brazil where Albana spotted the

Brazil. This is thanks to

opportunity to buy and sell properties.

the three trailblazing

Albana, Blerina and Alida always dreamt

sisters, Albana, Alida and Blerina who

of working together. “We thought it

opened Alba Imóveis Incorporações

was going to be New York or Tirana,

Ltda. - their real estate office there on

but life showed us instead North East of

5th of August 2018. They are so much

Brazil. But it would take another decade

well known in Ceara not only for their

before I could imagine leaving NYC and

business but also for their firm support

the USA and moving again somewhere

to the respectful and dignified treatment

else starting anew,” Albana Karakushi,

of people, local community, people with

Director of Alba Imóveis Incorporações

disabilities, social care and art.

Ltda. told Trailblazing Magazine in this

Their life is quite a journey, full of hard

exclusive interview.

work, achievements, joy, challenges and

They are contributing to a healthy and

belief.

R E A L E S TAT E

THE TRAILBLAZING SISTERS:

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Alba Imoveis is a real estate agency located in Pontal do Maceio, Fortim, Ceara in Brazil. How did it happen all this? I remember like it was yesterday. On May 16th, 1995, my parents said goodbye to me at the Tirana airport. I was going

responsible real estate development in this region of Ceara. They love what

to live in NYC. A result of the first US

they do “because real estate is the

Green card lotery in Kukes. Professor

most important material good that a

of English Jonuz Kola, helped many

person accumulates.” They consider the

in Kukes navigate the application. My

property of their clients as if it were their

little sister Alida studied English and

own.

had heard about the lottery but she was 16. She told me about it and I had the

TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINES thanks the

premonission that I was finally going to

Albanian Ambassador to Brazil, H.E.

leave Kukes for good and there was a

Rezar Bregu who proposed our magazine

way to do that.

for sharing this impressive story. We invite our readers to read the story of

When I left, mom gave me a small

three Albanian fighters who try to give

suitcase all with many outdated and

people opportunities whom they did not

ostentatious clothing for a long flight,

have.

not exactly a way to blend in for an 18 year old flying for the first time. My handmade knitted sweater had my name

Full interview below:

sewn spelling it craftily Albana and just

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friend and woman was Shqipe Malushi. A woman who helped countless newly arrived immigrants find jobs and lodgings, integrate in the life of the diaspora and make of their lives a success. I owe Shqipe a lot including my first job in an for a measure of clarity between the n

office. I will never

and a spelled the missing motherland

forget her help and kindness. A few years

letter i. The inconce of what was

after I arrived and I enrolled at CUNY.

waiting out there was poetic and cruel

I got a degree in Political Science from

at the same time but also exciting and

John Jay College of Criminal Justice,

liberating, unknown and adventurous.

almost a decade later I applied and was accepted at Columbia’s School of

This is how my journey outside Albania

International & Public Affairs. Through

began. It was not an easy life but that

the years in NYC having a myriad of

of a first generation immigrant never is.

professions to make ends meet, I worked

However, I was blessed to meet kind

managing real estate for an Austrian

and generous people, of the Albanian

businesswoman Gisela Wisniewsky. When

American community that helped me

she sold her business in 2004 she moved

tremendously. Two of them come to

to Brazil’s NE in the State of Ceara.

mind especifically. Zois Shyttie who was

When I came to visit I loved it so much

the first to open his home to me and

and looked and found a little house in

introduce me to many other people

Parajuru for 22.000 USD. That is how my

that become extremely important in my

adventure in real estate in Brazil began.

life. Also a role model and an amazing

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was very profitable and interesting so we began a compay together. We worked together for 4 years learning from each other’s experiences and cultural diversity. It was a learning experience that helped shaped our lives now. All the years away from Albania I had

We dissolved our

missed my family. I went to visit back

company when we realized we had

each year but I only managed to bring

different passions we wished to follow.

my mom there. I dreamt of the day when me and my sisters would live near by.

At this point, foreign direct investments

Blerina, Alida and I always dreamt of

started growing fast in Ceara and my

working together. We thought it was

sisters and I felt the there was a void

going to be New York or Tirana, but life

for an established, registered real

showed us instead North East of Brazil.

estate agency. In May, 2019 I received

But it would take another decade before

my license as a real estate agent with

I could imagine leaving NYC and the

the Regional Council of the real estate

USA and moving again somewhere else

brokers here in Brazil known as CRECI.

starting anew.

On August 5fth, we opened our real

In one of my yearly visits to Brazil in

estate office in a small space in the

2014 an opportunity presented itself

main square of Pontal de Maceio,

to work with a French investor. He was

neighborhood of Fortim, in the State of

Emmanuel Noyant. He is passionate

Ceara.

about construction and I liked real estate. It seems the mix of cultures and abilities

My sister Blerina, is a licensed attorney

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your dream into a reality? Can you describe the real estate landscape in Brazil? I think Brazil chose us or better to say we chose one another. In the sense that we had no idea that we would want to live in Brazil. Initially I invested only because I felt that

and speaks more than five languages. Alida, perphas speaks one more foreign

someday our investment would be very

language. She is a former Fullbright who

profitable. Exactly one decade later in

studied public policy. Alida is in charge

2014 I came to sell the properties and

of PR and has a variety of experience

reinvest in the USA where I was lived

and education to bring a richness of

and worked. I started to learn about the

experience to our work and social mileux.

complexities of business as soon as I

We believe that we are contributing to

tried to sell.

a healthy and responsible real estate development in this region of Ceara.

So, I decided to reinvest to increase

We love what we do because real estate

the value of my investments in making

is the most important material good

renovations to the properties we had

that a person accumulates. The process

purchased. In the process I got to know

of buying and selling always involves

a few other French investors who were

getting to know our clients in a personal

already residing in Fortim and among

level. We consider the property of our

them Emmanuel Noyant. We decided

clients as if it were our own.

to open a construction and real estate company. Our skills and experiences were complementary. Whereas I cared

Why did you choose Brazil to put

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too much how I would be perceived when

number. Fortim has approximately 16.631

I communicated with our staff or clients,

inhabitants.

Emmanuel was direct and strategic. Both strategies have advantages and

Now local young people dont need

dissadvantages. A mix of both we

to abandon their families to move to

thought and it was a success. At the end

Fortaleza. They can work in the various

of the four years, I sold my share of the

hotels Like Vila Selvagem, the first Hotel

company to other French investors and

build by Jean Michel Chaufur, Jaguaribe

opened the real estate company Alba

Kite & Lodge, and now Jaguar India,

Imoveis together with my sisters Alida

Hotel Pausa or Vila Vera Theresa etc.

Karakushi and Blerina Luga.

all these hotels and other smaller B & B have increased all sort of tourism related jobs.

What are the major factors that make Albaimoveis a success story? The best way to measure sucess is in

We wanted to start a hotel school but

the amount of change one can bring.

for the last year and a half since the

How much have we improved the lives

pandemic situation hit, we have not been

of our families and our employees? How

able to move forward. However, I am sure

much have we improved the lives of

we will when the market picks up.

our clients? How responsible have we been with their investments? Not only has our company grown but so have the

Can you mention some of the main

investments of all our clients. Also, the

projects you are working on? Any

lives of the local people have improved

intention to intertwine with Albania

as the jobs from the tourist industry

in the future?

have provided stability and income.

We plan to open a hotel in one of the

Our company has 15 employees, so

properties our company owns. It will be a

direclty is still a modest contribution but

hotel whose principal uniqueness will be

indirectly we must have contributed in

the wild nature but with individual villas

the creation of more than 60 positions.

for couples or families of various sizes.

For a village this size it is a considerable

The idea is also to provide complete

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businesses.

I would love to invest in Albania or to have Albanians collaborate with us here. I have to say that it seemed to me more daunting to do business in Albania. I have no connections there relaxing experience within the complex

and we know how

so that it will feel like your own safe and

important those are in investing safely

wild paradise where each family member

and making a success out of one’s efforts.

can find themselves. It is a long-term

It would be great eventually to be a

project of approximately 8 million

bridge for both Albanians and Brazilians

dollars.

to get to know and work with each other.

We also have another hotel project in

In Brazil the only other Albanians we

a village near by. The main attraction

have met are Ambassador Rezar Bregu

of the Paripueira project will be the

and his wonderful family.

lake experience with untouched natural reserve on one side and the hotel on

What helps you stay driven and

the other. Finally, we plan to continue

motivated to keep going in your

throughtout the years ahead to support

business?

local art and culture as well as local

My family, my team and all the people

organizations that support youth

that we directly and indireclty touch

educational and sports activities.

through our work. I have many challenges

Associacao dos Moradores, Associacao

one of which is chronic health pain from

dos Jovens, local schools and local

severe scoliosis, at times blatant racism

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did not have. Do you have connections with other Albanians in Brazil or with a small Albanian community there? We live in the North East of Brazil in a small village whose population is aprox 16.000. We have not had the opportunity to meet other

when we tell some investors we are from Albania, and often being a woman

Albanians. However recently we met

continues to bring more challenges in

his Excellency Rezar Bregu and his wife

terms of being taken seriously or seen

Ledina Bregu as well as their sons. It was

as an equal. But all of the above only

such a wonderful meeting filled with mall

make us work harder to make of our

(saudade). The english language does

work a success. Being brought up during

not have this word as far as I know. We

communism in Kukes, living and surviving

also had family and friends from Albania

with rations, mental and material, has

visit us and each time I speak Albanian

made us strong and helped us grow

with others I am reminded of how much

emotionally. These difficulties pale in

I miss and love my motherland. It would

comparison to childhood. Yet, they are

be a dream to open a small branch of our

there and at times interfere with how

company in Albania and eventually build

great things would be had we lived in

a hotel either in the mountains of Kukes

a more just society. This is what we try

or by the beach South of Vlora.

to do. To set the example of a firm that treat its team with respect and dignity. We try to give people opportunities we

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

my own parents struggle to take care How would you describe your life

of their 5 children made me understand

in Brazil? What are your plans for

deeply the need for a community that

NEXT?

aims to take care of each other and

Since we opened our office in August

provide opportunities especially for

2018 we have been constantly working.

young people so they start from a fairer

Checking out properties. Investing in

vantage point. Towards this end our

lands and homes in and around Fortim.

company has been involved in various

On our free time we go to our beach

social projects one of which was the

house.

complete renovation of a community

I visited Albania with Iliria June when

center that serves as a library and as a

she was little. She does not remember.

center for training job seekers. At times

Hopefully we will be able to go to

also served as a center for free art and

Albania next spring. I love Tirana in April.

language classes. Another project that

Much of our quality time we spend

we were involved with together with our

getting involved in social projects in

friends and foreign investors in Pontal

Fortim. I am a member of the Council

de Maceio was the complete renovation

on Tourism. My sister Alida has opened

of the Association of Youth of Pontal de

a local media blog where she writes

Maceio. This center has a very long and

about socio economic and political issues

beautiful history as a community center

important to Fortim. Her blog is called

that celebrates arts and culture. AJPM is

Panorama de Fortim.

responsible for organizing of a 3-day arts and culinary festival in Pontal since 1985.

I find sometimes a bit of time to also write poetry. Lately more than before as I finally feel that my portuguese has

ALBANA KARAKUSHI

improved enough to scrible some verse.

www.albaimoveis.com contact@albaimoveis.com Whatsup +55 (88) 99745-6739

How can readers get in touch with you? Going through hardships and seeing

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

A L B A I M OV E I S LT DA .

With Love from Alba Imoveis LTDA. ON ITS JOURNEY, ALBA IMOVEIS LTDA. HAS ENCOUNTERED MANY PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS WHO SUPPORTED IT UNCONDITIONALLY. ON THIS OCCASION, ALBA IMOVEIS LTDA. TAKES THE CHANCE TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE:

1.PHOTOGRAPHER CHICO KFOURI

exhibition Heroes Fortinenses, held at the Association of Youth of Pontal de Maceio AJPM, in 2020, which he intends to turn into a book.

“Chico Kfouri, is a documentary photographer. Graduated in cinema from the Capilano University, in Canada. He started his photographic journey in South Asia, where he lived for four years. Currently working with fishermen in Pontal de Maceió, following the

2. Interior Architect & Decorator -KARINE SIMONOT of Maison Objet e Chantier (MOC) https://www.facebook.

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

https://www.mocmoc.fr/prestations MOC is providing: all the project plans for the Hotel (common and private spaces) • General layout of constructions • Architectural booklet • Interior designing plans • Electrical plans • Deisgn of furniture, light fixtures and decoration • Book of detail (material, colors, Art direction) 3. PANORAMA FORTIM

https://www.instagram.com/ panoramafortim/

4. HOW ALBANA MET WITH IDLIR & XHESIKA XHIKA It was fall 2012 when I met Xhesi. We had scheduled to meet in the Albanian fashion to talk work over a coffee in a cute café. As soon as we met, I was struck by her inner and outer beauty and by the perfect English she spoke. I had been living in NYC for more than 17 years so here and there I would switch to English and she would follow me. Xhesi was a web designer and knew everything about websites and advertising. Later she introduced me to her husband, Idlir.

Alida Karakushi has a long experience as

They came up with the design and the concept of the logo of the company. When I set my eyes on the design I could

A L B A I M OV E I S LT DA .

PR Manager in Albania as she has undergone and managed many projects to promote Albania abroad. She holds bachelor‘s degree in political science from the University of New York Tirana and a Master in Public Policy from Oregon State University in the USA. As a public policy analyst working as a freelancer, Alida is an independent civil society activist, and has her own blog Panorama de Fortim; a blog which contributes to raising awareness about local issues for the residents of Fortim such as environmental issues, citizen engagement and other socioeconomic issues important to Fortim. She consults for Alba Imoveis on matters of social responsibility, identifying challenges the community faces and seeking ways to address those.

com/mocmoc.fr

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

A L B A I M OV E I S LT DA .

not but love it. So the concept and logo of anything and everything I would do would be with Idlir and Xhesika. An incredible friendship rose from our work together and today they are some of my closest friends. That has not stopped us from being to do as much as possible together. Both Idlir and Xhesi visited Ceara shortly in 2018. It was enough for them to feel even more the beauty and potential of Pontal de Maceio, Fortim and of Ceara in general. Idlir is a wonderful painter and that is where his real love lies. I am fortunate enough to own some of his paintings. This has not stopped him from being creative and designing logos and managing advertising for all of our businesses. I know I would not have been inspired to work as hard as I have to get here if I did not have Idlir and Xhesika to help me transmit it to our clients.

navigate the risks and weigh the potential of our investments and those of our clients. R. Amaral Advogados is a full-service legal firm, with a solid history of growth built over its 16 years of operation in the legal market. Currently, it has a team with more 170 professionals spread in its different areas of expertise. R. Amaral is present in more than 40 countries through the Alliance of Business Lawyers (ABL), and is also certified as one of the 500 most admired law firms in Brazil, being the most admired in the Northeast, according to the most important national publication of the legal segment in Brazil (Análise 500), which gathers annual data from surveys carried out with executives of the 1,041 largest Brazilian companies. It is also internationally recommended by one of the largest legal publications in Latin America (Latin Lawyer) and certified as one of the best companies to work for, according to the international institute Great Place to Work.”

5. R. AMARAL ADVOGADOS has been our partner from the beginning of our journey. It has been a wonderful partnership that has helped our company

https://ramaral.com/contato/ Contato - R Amaral Advogados – R Amaral Advogados Av. Santos Dumont, 2456 | 16º e 17º andares Aldeota | Fortaleza-CE | CEP: 60.150-162 Tel.: +55 85 3311-9199 ramaral.com

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

sisters, the impossible turns up possible.

Though Albana studied Criminal Justice

“Especially in a field such as Real Estate,

graduating with Magna cum Laude from

while working, we have the option to

John Jay College and then followed

put all our knowledge and learn even

with a master at Columbia University in

more by meeting with people with

NYC, little would have she predicted

different backgrounds and from different

that her professional career would lead

countries.”

her towards business despite working as a Franklin Fellow for one year in DC.

Alida has a long experience as

Prior to coming to invest in Brazil, Albana

PR Manager in Albania as she has

worked as a real estate agent for several

undergone and managed many projects

years in Manhattan, NYC. Throughout

to promote Albania abroad. She holds

these years she has been accustomed

bachelor ‘s degree in political science

to the challenges that an investor may

from the University of New York Tirana

face but also have seen the potential.

and has obtained a Master in Public

Albana found that there was a void for

Policy from Oregon State University in

an established, registered real estate

the USA.

agency and to fulfill that demand she

As a public policy analyst working as

went through the process of becoming a

a freelancer, Alida is an independent

licensed broker.

civil society activist, and columnist contributing for national and regional

Blerina studied law at the Luarasi

newspapers in Europe. Via her work

University in Tirana, Albania. She also

in Brazil, she is now promoting Ceara

holds a (dual degree) Master Degree on

through interviews and articles that get

LLM for International and Commercial

published exclusively for Albaimoveis.

Law, from University of New York in

She is also in charge of the social

Tirana, Albania and from University of

responsibility for Albaimoveis, identifying

Greenwich, London, UK. Being a licensed

challenges the community faces and

attorney in Albania, as an international,

seeking ways to address those.

she speaks five languages. Blerina believes that as long as she works by her

A L B A I M OV E I S LT DA .

WHO ARE THE THREE SISTERS?

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

ELVANA KURTI: LEAD Albania Program Soon to Hit 100 Fellows BY RUDINA HOXHA

AST OCTOBER, the 11

for 5 more years. The Program intends

Fellows of Cohort 9 of

to build as a unique and prestigious

LEAD Albania Program

contributor to development of future

were selected marking

leadership in Albania and is budgeted at

another success of this

over 5 million dollars.

Program.

- Fellows spend a year as full-time,

TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE took the

paid advisors in the institutions that

liberty to look back to this Program

agreed to host the Fellows based

to date with Mrs. Elvana Kurti, Project

both on the interest of each individual

Manager of LEAD Albania Program.

and professional fit. The number of Fellows each year is around ten. The

FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:

AADF pays each Fellow salary and benefits based on the pay scale of the

1. How did it all begin with the LEAD

institution where they are placed. The

Albania Program? What is different in

experience in the host institution is

its format and structure?

supported by an education component.

- In 2012 the Albanian-American

It increases the Fellows’ exposure to

Development Foundation (AADF)

leaders from the public and private

decided to bring in Albania the model

sectors through meetings and roundtable

of the US White House Fellows Program.

discussions through the year. A series

An MoU was signed in 2012 with the

of workshops on public policy, European

Government of Albania for LEAD Albania

integration, foreign policy, security

Program (LEAD stands for Leadership

policy, decision making, leadership, soft

Experience And Development) a one-

skills development is also part of the

year Fellowship placement as Advisers

education component calendar.

to Prime Minister, President, Ministers, Tirana Municipality. After the first 5 very

2. Let’s talk in figures: how many

successful years of the implementation

fellows has LEAD Albania program

of the Program, a new MoU was signed

reported so far? More women or men?

again with the Government of Albania in

What is the percentage?

2018 for the extension of the Program

- 89 so far. 78 have been graduated from

L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T the Program and 11 are active Fellows.

3. LEAD Albania Program is a Big

By the Fall of 2022 with the 10th cohort,

Success Story which entails many

we will reach to the 100 number.

other success stories. In your view, what elements of the Programme have

- There are no gender quotas in the

made the greatest impression on the

selection of LEAD Albania Fellows. The

participants all these years?

best ones are the winners and little it

-With LEAD Albania Program we

matters if they are men or women. Saying

measure success not only with what

this, we have had some very interesting

happens with the Fellows during the

compositions of cohorts. For example,

program but also after the program.

the first cohort was composed of 9 men

Especially after the program! When our

and 1 women. The 8th cohort fellows that

Fellows receive an invitation by Host

just graduated were 7 women and 1 men,

Institution itself to continue working

the 6th cohort of 2019 had a balance of 5

there after the program, it is a success!

men and 5 women.

When the Fellows jump in a leadership

In total there have been 52 women and

position either in private sector, in

37 men.

NGOs, International Organizations or Civil Society it is a success! When our

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and interact during the fellowship year,

promoted in a new role it is a success!

and especially among themselves within

Yes, while the Program is a success

cohorts and with all LEAD Albania

story in itself, it truly entails many other

Alumni. They love it!

success stories: the success stories of our LEAD Fellows and our LEAD Alumni. As

4. What were the expectations of

the Chairman of the Board of the AADF,

this Program and are they all met

Mr. Michael D. Granoff said in his remarks

nowadays?

during the graduation ceremony of the

- As mentioned above when established

last cohort “We all have an opportunity

but also today, the Program intends

to play a role in turning the tide, in

to build as a unique and prestigious

turning toward a more positive direction

contributor to development of future

and everything that all our LEAD Fellows

leadership in Albania. We are soon

do every day, is trying to turn that tide in

reaching to the 100 number of Fellows.

a more positive direction and over time

More than 75% of LEAD Albania Alumni

we create that kind of government and

continue their career in a leadership

therefore that kind of society that we

role either in public or private sector.

would like to live in and we would like

Around 45% of them continue in public

our children to live in…”

administration, mostly in a leadership position. Today we have LEAD Alumni

-The elements of the program that have

in roles such Secretary General, Chief

made the greatest impression on the

of Staff, Advisors, Directors in the

participants all these years..? I would say

governing institutions. We have others

the trust given by the AADF to be put in

leading their own businesses and

such an important position to the highest

think tanks, others contributing to the

levels of leadership and the belief that

development of the country through

they will succeed. Also the empowerment

NGOs, civil society and academia. As

that we aim through the educational

of expectations, we set higher goals

component (trainings, meetings, support,

every day, grateful and proud of what we

coaching and mentoring). Not to forget

have achieved but eager to reach higher

the network, with everyone they meet

peaks.

L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

Alumni’ careers progress, when they are

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L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T through the years have left their mark 5. How have the winners of the

through their hard work, contribution

LEAD Albania Program impacted

and impact in these reforms. Even at

the implementation of the reforms

present, some of the active Fellows

necessary for the country to join the

who started the program in November,

EU?

have been assigned on working directly

Once they start the program our Fellows

with chapters related directly with the

are engaged directly with the work and

Albanian accession to EU.

the agenda of the Host Institution and most of them have been contributing

6. How has this Program overcome

on the reforms the country has gone

the problems created by the

through. I can mention here that the last

pandemic? Was any change

three Fellows from the last three cohorts

necessary to be taken in this aspect?

that served as advisors to the Minister

-At the AADF we didn’t stop, we

of Justice have significantly contributed

adopted. We didn’t do less during

to the Justice Reform. Our Fellow of

the pandemic, we did more and we

the 8th cohort in the Ministry of Energy

supported more. That’s what we did

and Infrastructure worked directly for

with LEAD Albania Program as well. We

the Energy Reform, and so many others

adapted and continued. We switched to

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as we will have a fellow for the first time

were providing training on topics such as

in the office of the Chief Negotiator for

Navigating Change or Leading in a VUCA

Albania’s Accession to EU.

World we were indeed living those times

8. Tell us more about the last cohort

in reality, growing through them. Some of

of LEAD Albania winners 2021/2022

this education programs adopted as well,

who were selected last October.

the yearly Emerging Leaders Executive

-The actual cohort of 2021-2022

Education Program from Harvard

selected this year started the Program

changed into Leadership and Character

in November. They are 11 brightly

in Uncertain Times. And when some time

educated, experienced and innovative

passed we used those hard unpredictable

professionals full of grit and commitment

times as lessons and opportunities and

to make the best out of this fellowship

did even more trainings and meetings

year. Below are their names and their

passing those national physical

host institutions, together with their short

boundaries and reaching out globally.

bios and photos so you can get an idea

Our Fellows supported and contributed

of who they are.

even more significantly to the institutions during these two pandemic years. “We all have an opportunity to play a role in turning the tide, in turning toward a more positive direction and everything that all our LEAD Fellows do every day, is trying to turn that tide in a more positive direction and over time we create that kind of government and therefore that kind of society that we would like to live in and we would like our children to live in…” the AADF Chairman of the Board, Mr. Michael D. Granoff said in his remarks during the graduation ceremony of the last cohort.

7. What should we do to reshape or enhance the Program given the developing times? -With the times developing, LEAD Albania Program is also developing. One example is the governing new institutions that evolve as a result of the justice reform. We soon included them as Host Institution and this year, for the first time, we will have 2 Fellows respectively in the Office of the High Inspector of Justice and in the High Judicial Council. As well

L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

virtual meetings and trainings. While we

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L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

Ms. Alba Brojka Alba Brojka holds a Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy of the EU from the post-graduate institute College of Europe. She has graduated in political science from the University of New York Tirana and in law from the University of Tirana. Alba has gained a vast experience in democracy assistance by working with organizations such as European Endowment for Democracy, OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission in Albania, National Democratic Institute Albania, and other national civil society organizations. Alba has held the

Advisor | Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

mandate of the Special Representative on Youth and Security during the Slovak and Albanian Chairmanship of the OSCE (2019-2020). She has volunteered and contributed to numerous civic and youth initiatives in Albania such as increasing the capacities and supporting the consolidation of the UN Youth Association Albania, while serving as its Director of Projects and later as its Secretary General. Ms. Brojka has contributed as guest lecturer and member of panels on different topics related to European integration, youth and gender mainstreaming and security issues.

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Donjet Gjoka holds a bachelor degree in diplomacy and international relations from the Moscow State Institute for International Relations (MGIMO) and a master degree in Advanced European Studies and International Relations in Istanbul, Nice and Berlin from the Centre International de Formation Européenne (CIFE). He has also graduated from the Albanian School of Political Studies of the Council of Europe (CoE). Donjet Gjoka has initiated his professional path at the Ministry of Interior where he has served at the Directorate for Policies and Strategies and later on, he headed the Sector for Civil Society and Security at the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism – a subordinate institution of the Prime Minister’s Office. Through a fellowship from the European Fund for the Balkans he has conducted a professional traineeship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Slovenia as well as he has received numerous professional trainings from various international institutions and organisations such as the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, Warsaw Euro-Atlantic Summer Academy, the OSCE, Council of Europe etc. Donjet Gjoka is also a Board Member for the establishment of the Alumni Network at the European Fund for the Balkans.

Advisor | Chief-Negotiator for Accession of the Republic of Albania to EU – Prime Minister’s Office

L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

Mr. Donjet Gjoka

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L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

Ms. Edlira Osmani Edlira Osmani holds a double diploma in Law and International Relations and an LL.M. in European Law and European Integration from the Karl Franzens University, Graz (Austria) and since 2018 she holds title Advocate from the Albanian Chamber of Advocates. She is currently finishing her Doctorate at the University of Hamburg (Germany). During the past five years, in the capacity of Legal Expert of the EU funded project “Consolidation of the Justice System in Albania” (EURALIUS) she has provided expertise to the School of Magistrates, High Judicial Council and High Prosecutorial Council, as well as to Parliament for the justice reform laws and the penitentiary package laws. Edlira is an experienced trainer, and she has trained magistrates in discrete fields of law and on performance measurement of courts and prosecution offices, as well as public officials on prescreening process for judiciary, human rights and anti-corruption. In addition, she has contributed to the elaboration of the curricula for the initial training of magistrates and of chancellors of courts and prosecution offices. She is specialized in teaching and research at the Europa Institut, Saarland University (Germany), in competition and regulation for the digital era at the European University Institute, Florence (Italy), in diversity management at the Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas (Lithuania) and is an Alumnus of the Albanian School of Political Studies. Edlira is the author of articles and law commentaries in national and international journals.

Advisor - Office of the High Inspector of Justice

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Entela Çeliku since 2010 is a lecturer at the Department of Chemistry at Agricultural University of Tirana in Albania. She graduated as a Food Chemist in 2009, at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Tirana followed by a Second Level Master’s Degree and Doctor of Science degree in 2017. She has received several awards and fellowships from the European Union (Erasmus Mundus, Austrian Academy of Sciences) and the U.S Department of State (Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Harvard Medical School). Her research interest is focused on the discovery of useful new molecules with a broad of activities such as anticancer, antiinflammatory and antibacterial as new drug leads from endemic plants of Albania and microbial natural products. Dr. Çeliku is a member of several EU and US scientific associations. She is an external expert contracted from the Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education in Albania for the accreditation of several programs.

Advisor | Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

Ms. Entela Çeliku

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L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

Mr. Eno Muja Eno Muja holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master of Science in Civil Law from the University of Tirana, Faculty of Law. Eno has also successfully obtained a Professional Master Degree in European Union Business Law at this faculty. In 2015, he completed his training at the National School of Advocacy, after which he successfully passed the bar exam and was immediately provided with a lawyer’s license by the National Chamber of Advocates. Eno has almost 7 years of experience in the field of law practice, giving his contribution to various law firms in Albania. Recently, for almost 2 years, Eno has been engaged as a partner and lawyer at “Muja Law” Firm. He has also collaborated as an external expert and consultant for many projects in the field of law with nonprofit organizations in Albania, as well as with other international organizations. Additionally, Eno has almost 7 years of experience in media and television. During the last 2 years he has been engaged parttime at Euronews Albania television as a moderator and journalist. He has been a speaker to national and international scientific conferences mainly related to aspects of civil law.

Advisor | High Judicial Council

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Fatri Morina holds a doctoral degree in Social Sciences, with profile in Political Sciences and International Relations, and a Master of Science in International Relations, with profile Strategic Studies from European University of Tirana. He has graduated in International Relations from the same University. Since 2013, he holds the position of lecturer of international relations, security studies, foreign policy and geopolitics courses, at European University of Tirana, where for some years he was Head of Internal Quality Unit. During the academic year 2020-2021, he has held the position of Vice Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Tourism and Sports, ‘Barleti’ University. He is author and co-author of several conference articles and journal publications, related to security issues, with a particular focus on energy security in the Balkans. He has engaged as expert in research and capacity building projects, supported by EU such as: “QAinAL”, “EUROPS”, “FINAC”, “STEPS”, “DRIVE”, “EduFootprint”, etc.

Advisor | Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy

L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

Mr. Fatri Morina

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L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

Ms. Joana Dhiamandi

Advisor | Ministry of Culture

Joana Dhiamandi is an Architect, Glass Artist, and lecturer of Architecture and Design, with a Ph.D. in Architecture and Urban Planning. She has been involved in architecture and interior architecture projects as founder of Dhiamandi Studio and in creating glass artworks in the studio ‘’Dhiamandi Glass’’. Joana has conducted her Ph.D. studies focusing on ‘’Sacred Architecture- Analysis of the Bektashi Tekke in Albania’’. During the last decade, she has held the role of Vice Dean of the Faculty of Research and Development and as the Deputy Head of the Department of Art & Design at POLIS University. Joana is an active member of civil society in Albania and has been working to engage communities and develop a common platform for discussion in architecture and design. She was the co-curator of Tirana Design Week editions of 2015 “Design now!” and 2017 “Design for an Inclusive Future”. Joana is the co-founder of ‘’WeWomen’’, a platform for the empowerment of girls and women. She has been part of several scientific and academic conferences.

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Kreshnik Skënderi graduated in Economics (MSc) at the Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana. He has also completed postgraduate studies in Real Estate Appraisal at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Polytechnic University of Tirana and Master studies in Public Administration (MPA) at the Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana. The passion for technology led Kreshnik to a diverse professional career. He served at the National Bank of Greece as an information systems specialist and later as the Head of Administration, Procurement, Real Estate Appraisal, Security and Technical Unit. In 2012-2015 Kreshnik enriched his professional

Advisor | Municipality of Tirana

profile with an international experience in the implementation and integration of core banking systems, where he served as a project manager in several countries including Qatar, Jordan and the Philippines. In 2015-2020 he leaded the IT Consulting projects department at Deloitte Albania & Kosovo and then Smartwork. During this period, he also served as a lecturer in Project Management in IT Environments course, at the Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana. In 2020 he founded BTech, a company specialized in the implementation of financial and operational systems for businesses in Albania and Kosovo. During his professional experience Kreshnik has managed over 20 large and medium projects.

L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

Mr. Kreshnik Skenderi

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L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

Ms. Ornela Bardhi Ornela Bardhi is a Marie Curie Ph.D. fellow and an applied artificial intelligence in medicine researcher focusing on cancer. Ornela has conducted various scientific research in object recognition and image segmentation, and currently in predictive analytics in cancer in Spain, the USA, the Republic of Ireland, and Finland. Her research is published in prestigious international scientific journals and conferences. Before her Ph.D., she was part of the joint Erasmus+ master program in Pervasive Computing and Communication for Sustainable Development in France, Finland, Russia, and Sweden. During her masters, she founded and co-founded two startups in Sweden and Finland, respectively. She finished her BEng. in computer engineering in Albania and the UK. She is an active member of the Marie Curie Alumni Association, where she is the current chair of the MCAA Western Balkans Chapter. Ornela organizes events to promote scientific research and European grants in Albania and abroad. She holds various awards and has received various grants from the EU.

Advisor | Ministry of Health and Social Protection

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Tedi Dobi holds a double honours degree in Law and Politics from the University of Edinburgh (UK) and an LLM from Cornell University Law School (US). Following experiences as legal counsel in the private sector, Tedi has been engaged as national legal expert of the EU funded project “Consolidation of the Justice System in Albania” (EURALIUS) in the design and implementation of the Justice Reform process, being involved in the drafting of legal initiatives in the civil and administrative law areas, professional organisation and discipline, free legal professions and legal aid. In addition, he has supported change management and capacity building of the

Advisor | Prime Minister’s Office

Inspection and Codification Directorates of the Ministry of Justice as well as supported the process of reorganization of the Supreme Court towards a more efficient structure and effective procedures in order to better tackle the backload of cases. Tedi has been an adjunct lecturer at the University of Tirana for courses in Social Security Law and Business Law during the years 2016 and 2017 and is a trainer in areas such as business law and legislative technique, delivering as of late a cycle of trainings for civil servants of the Ministry of Justice on legislative technique, constitutionality checking, interpretation and scrutiny of national law as well as interpretation and compliance checking with the acquis of the European Union, and has assisted the process of approximation of the national legislation with the EU acquis.

L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

Mr. Tedi Dobi

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L E A D E R S H I P D E V E LO P M E N T

Ms. Erblina Shehu Erblina Shehu has an MBA in “International Trade” from ESCE, in Paris; a master in “Business Management from IAE de Potiers; and a master on “Management by Quality” she obtained at Kedge Business School in Bordeaux in 2017. Erblina has 20 years of academic and professional experience in France, where she has become an expert in designing and implementing quality systems that improve the performance and efficiency of the organizations. She has worked for 14 years with international corporations, where she has occupied management roles, such as “Quality and Process” Director EMEA, Customer Service Manager Export-Import with North African Countries, Project Manager with European, American, Indian and Chinese teams. Erblina is proficient in administering complex processes and systems. She has successfully conducted several of the European Group entities to ISO9001, ISO14001 and SEDEX certifications. She has built the framework for the CSR and performance audits reports, and ensured compliance within GDPR and REACH european regulations.

Advisor | Ministry of Finance and Economy

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GREEN TECH

Steiner: Albania, a Priority Country of Austrian Development Cooperation Since 1992 -AUSTRIA SUPPORTS THE EU GREEN AGENDA BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO

n November 10, 2021,

During this tour, he was accompanied by

Ambassador of Austria

representatives of STRABAG in Albania

in Albania, H.E. Christian

and the Head of Office of Advantage

Steiner visited the

Austria in Albania, Mrs. Marlinda Zotaj.

sewage treatment plant

TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE had the

of Lalzi Bay built by Strabag – an Austrian

honor to cover this visit highlighting the

company, very well known in Austria, all

innovative work methods of this company

over the world and particularly also in

and its high-quality projects.

the Western Balkans including Albania.

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Which sectors of Albanian industry are mostly considered by the Austrian companies for investments? I think Austrian companies have quite a long tradition of investments in Albania. Sectors which of particular interest in the past have been banking, insurance, energy, also construction, services. But I think it is even more than that; we also look forward to more investments in green tech sector; also in connection with tourism. As you might be aware Albania has many problems with waste management and environmental pollution in general. Is Austria under your representation having any projects ongoing or in the pipeline to help Albania tackle with these problems? As Austria we fully support the EU Green Agenda. Albania has been a priority country of Austrian Development Cooperation since 1992, and support has been provided in various areas. Mainstreaming environmental aspects including also climate change dimensions into our intervention programs and projects is a key principle of our work as Austrian Development Cooperation.

Full interview below: Your Excellency, Ambassador Steiner, what are your assessments about STRABAG project after this tour? I am very impressed by this visit at the sewage treatment plant of Lalzi Bay built by STRABAG – an Austrian company which is very well known in Austria, all over the world and particularly also in the Western Balkans including Albania where the company has secured out a number of very useful investments in the field of infrastructure. I think Lalzi Bay is a place which lives of tourism, so I think it is particularly important that the water is treated well,

Amongst other priorities the Austrian Development Cooperation focuses on

GREEN TECH

so it creates a lot of possibilities and is used for tourism, a sector which is very important for Albanian economy.

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GREEN TECH

supporting the reform on Integrated Water Management. Together with the EU, through a dedicated project on integrated water management, we are assisting the relevant authorities, e.g. the Albanian Water Resources Management Agency AMBU, to protect water resources and to preserve ecosystems. The EU legislation with the EU Water Framework Directive provides a framework for environmental management downsized at river basin level. In this regard, we support the government in ensuring compliance of national legislation with EU requirements and in preparing 3 river basin management plans for the river basins Ishem, Erzen and Mati. Once Albania is able to identify the environmental problems at river basin level, measures for improving the conditions under a well-estimated financial bill have to be taken. Waste management is to be addressed among those measures, since uncontrolled and unregulated waste discharges will distort such environment-society-economy balance and there will be costs to be paid to restore such equilibrium again. The Austrian Development Cooperation’s Country Strategy Albania 2015-2020 has been extended until the end of 2021. As we are coming near to its termination, what is your opinion about its impact on the development of the relationship between the two countries?

During the last six years, we concentrated our efforts on three priority areas defined in our Country Strategy for Albania: Governance and Rule of Law, Integrated Water Management and labor market-oriented Vocational Education and Training linked with Employability. The Austrian Development Cooperation makes sure that cooperation is based on equal partnership and all our projects and programmes are tailored to local needs and conditions and agreed with local partners. In all our projects, we mainstream and include as many aspects of social inclusion, gender equality and environmental protection as possible. The one-year extension of our country strategy allowed us to consolidate the existing interventions together with our partners. Our main mission is and will remain to support Albania’s EU accession process - a key priority of the Austrian Foreign and European Policy - and to focus even more on areas where Austria can bring added value to Albania. In 2020 we had an external evaluation of our Country Strategy with Albania to help us understand the impact of our contribution to the development of the country. The external evaluation concluded that ADC has a unique and valuable niche due to trust, technical competence, gender experience/ commitment and its flexible and nonbureaucratic approach. The strongest added value of ADC is in the respect and trust it maintains across a range of governmental and nongovernmental actors and in the wider

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is considered innovative and exportorientated, and it lives up to its reputation as a global pioneer in the field. Companies from Austria provide practical solutions that are always focused on sustainable operation and a functional circular economy. ---

AUSTRIA, UNPARALLELED IN GREENTECH KNOW-HOW

MRS. ENIS KARIQI, FCCA, AL

Commercial Business Unit Manager at STRABAG AG Branch Albania

Marlinda Zotaj, Head of Office Advantage Austria Albania

Please can you make an introduction of STRABAG company and what are the major elements the company deals within the water technology? STRABAG A.G. is an European based technology partner for construction businesses, for construction industry. It is a leader in innovation and in its financial strength. STRABAG water technology’s primary focuses are simple solid waste

Austria has a concentration of knowhow in the greentech sector that is unparalleled. There are countless Austrian companies which are market leaders in the fields of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and environmental technology. The entire Austrian greentech sector

GREEN TECH

donor community in Albania. ADC has been able to develop a reputation for continuity in investing in areas where Austria has a clear added value, both thematically as well as some cross-cutting perspectives, most notably gender equality.

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GREEN TECH treatment plants, switch treatment plants, drinking water treatment plants in all Central and Southeastern European countries and in some specific countries

outside Europe. STRABAG provides know-how for the improvement of the environment worldwide and I could say that only in the recent years, we have

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HIMARA, THE NEXT CITY TO HAVE TREATED SEWAGE WATER Eduart GJANA Technical Business Unit Manager STRABAG AG Branch Albania

Why specifically on this area when there are many other areas with the same problems? Are they going to be the focus of your company in a near future? As you know Albania is at the first stages in the treatment of sewage water. Usually in all the countries you start and initially with the coastal cities and Lalzi Bay is one of them. In the summer, as you know, there are many local and foreign tourists visiting the area. There are foreseen other cities to be implemented in the near future. Next city at which we have expressed interest is Himara. It is a project which will be developed by Albanian Development Fund and financed by kfW. It is expected to be awarded within this year and the construction works will start beginning of the next year. So, Himara will be the next city which will have treated sewage water.

We understand that the present area covered by you is basically a portion of Lalzi Bay touristic resort. Can you tell us when the phase 2 will be implemented? What are the plans to cover the whole area? Actually, STRABAG has constructed the sewage collector for the entire area. It is about 5.8km of sewage collector which runs across the whole area and also, we have connected lately even Vala Mar Residences which is on the side of Hamallaj Area. The treatment plant is constructed for 15,000 PE and all the electrical and mechanical installations are installed for 30,000 PE. So, in order to expand the plant is rather easy, it has to be built another Combined tank and all the other facilities are already installed in there. Would you be so kind as to explain what could be the alternative use of this treated water instead of discharging it in an existing water channel? Could this water be used

GREEN TECH

after extra processes for agriculture or even to promote another green zone in the area? Theoretically it can be used. At the moment as you saw, the water is quite clean. It is discharged in the Tarin river which is discharged to the sea. Actually, there is an initiative of the European Commission to use this treated water for agriculture and green areas. Yet it is not approved. Based on the information I have, it will be approved around 2023.

implemented or installed more than 600 plants in all over the countries where STRABAG is working.

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Testimonials

As New Year is coming to an end, we, TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE, thank all our Partners, Collaborators, Supporters and dear Readers. Their testimonials, some of which you can read below, inspire us and make us excel.

We Wish You All a Marvelous 2022! 50

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THANK YOU FOR A GREAT MAGAZINE! Elsa Håstad - Ambassador of Sweden in Albania

“THANK YOU RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO. GRATEFUL AND HONORED TO BE PART OF YOUR JOURNEY!” -Nevila Dudaj - Founder & GM at Adriatik Hotel & Adriatik Tours LLC

“A QUICK NOTE TO SAY ‘THANK YOU’ FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE SUPPORT AND KINDNESS THAT YOU’VE EXTENDED TO ME. IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE SPEAKING WITH YOU REGARDING REAL ESTATE IN DUBAI AND AM SUPER GRATEFUL FOR FEATURING ME IN TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE. I HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM FRIENDS AND RELATIVES ON ALL THE COPIES YOU RAN. EVERYONE EXPRESSED HOW FANTASTIC THE ARTICLE WAS… YOUR READERSHIP IS JUST THE EXPOSURE WE NEED FOR OUR WORK-FIELD AND WE ARE INDEBTED TO YOU FOR SUCH A GREAT PIECE. @HRUDINA Raneem Bou Hussein - Real Estate Agent & Senior Property Consultant in Dubai

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“HAPPY TO SHARE AN INTERVIEW DONE WITH THE ADORABLE RUDINA HOXHA FOR TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE!” - Valbona Dervishi – Project Coordinator on Innovation at “eu4innovation.”

“THANK YOU RUDINA FOR THE POSSIBILITY TO SHOW THE ART OF EMA BREGU AND FOR THIS INTERESTING MAGAZINE…WISH YOU SUCCESS! “ - Enkelejda (Bregu) Lopari - Program Manager, Social Policies & Gender Equality at European Commission

“THIS LOOKS AMAZING. BIG CONGRATS RUDI.” Biba Drnosek Klomp – Global Forum for Media Development

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“THANK YOU RUDINA HOXHA FOR NICE COOPERATION, LOOKING FORWARD TO FUTURE PROJECTS IN TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE!!!” Stefan Milovic - Marketing Manager at Alukönigstahl BiH

RUDINA HOXHA, THANK YOU FOR THE SPECIAL INTERVIEW! YOU ARE VERY DETAIL-ORIENTED AND DEDICATED TO COME UP WITH THE BEST. SUCCESS! Jori Vila – Owner & Founder of Oz Marketing Albania

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Ghost Kitchen, What Is It. Do you know? BY JOSE PINTO *

the shift in consumer behavior due to the pandemic and also they can reduce the costs associated with dine-in restaurants expenses and capitalize on the increase in online orders. The beauty of ghost kitchens is that you’re in control of most of the operational aspects other than delivery. You don’t have to be located in a busy location, you don’t have to employ service staff and you can often customize your menu focusing on freshness, seasonality and customer feedback, focusing on food that is delivery fresh, fast and in a friendly manner.

hese kitchens are a microcloud kitchens or virtual kitchens, they cook to order and most cases menus vary often, to satisfy the needs or customer demand. There are no seated or dine-in services. They are built to offer online orders. There are no tables or walk-in customers. Previously, ghost kitchens were mainly being used by virtual restaurants, who due to the popularity of their menus and clientele demand conceded the idea of branching out into virtual kitchens.

WHAT ARE THESE NEW CONCEPTS OF KITCHENS?

Why you should think of integrating Ghost Kitchens into your business Some of the reasons are:

These kitchens concept are based due to

H O S P I TA L I T Y

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• Reduced overhead costs There are no dine-in customers; your overhead costs are significantly low and you operations are lean. You only have to ensure that you meet the food safety and health standards of the Department of Health and that your permits are up to date.

customer, you’ll be able to maximize and optimize your operations in another words be “bottom line oriented” • Improve and extend your market penetration The today’s ways and dynamics of running a restaurant have changed some due to pandemic and others due to fewer customers. Ghost kitchens can help you reach a new and untapped market audience.

• Ability to maximize work and cash Ghost kitchens allow you to focus on your core objective. Try to prepare to both in-person and online orders by using the same model will only leave you overwhelmed. The staff that is dedicated to online orders can also tend to your physical

• Consumer behavior changing. The delivery market revenue has increased more than double within time the last years along with consumer

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE H O S P I TA L I T Y

preferences. More people are leaning towards ordering-in due to the high levels of health, security, and convenience.

AFTER ALL, IS A GHOST KITCHEN THE RIGHT CHOICE TO ENHANCE YOUR BUSINESS? I believe that is ‘yes it is’. Ghost or satellite kitchens are undoubtedly the future, and since the future is today, you may start by making your market survey and see where and how you fit with your expansion. People are using food delivery services, so it’s very wise to keep up with the current consumer trends and demand. The recent pandemic is also enough proof that the business world is uncertain, and you shouldn’t put all your eggs into one basket, diversify is key.

*Founder of

JPHOSPITALITY.EU

Email me at jose.pinto@jphospitality.eu

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE A R T & C U LT U R E

AN INTERVIEW WITH COD DIRECTOR, ENA BULKU: 2022, A SURPRISING YEAR -

WE NEED TO CREATE IDEAS TO DRESS THE COD WITH LIFE -

BY RUDINA HOXHA Photos: COD

n an exclusive interview with

describe it program and vision?

Ena Bulku, Director of Center for

work and it is my pleasure to talk to you

Openness and Dialogue (COD)

today about the Center for Openness

makes a general panorama

and Dialogue which we shortly call COD.

Thank you also for your interest in our

TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE,

of 2021 with all its challenges and

The Center for Openness and Dialogue

achievements while assures that 2022

is an initiative of the Prime Minister

will be another year full of events where

Edi Rama, who transformed part of the

everyone can find the space that suits

seat of the Council of Ministers into a

them best.

citizen-centric space that conveys the message of openness, transparency and

Thank you for accepting our request

transformation.

for this interview with TRAILBLAZING

COD opened its doors on 8 July 2015,

MAGAZINE!

and since then the center have been an emblematic institution that co-exist with

Please can you tell how did Center

the citizens, inviting them to share their

for Openness and Dialogue (COD)

diversity of opinions.

come into being and how would you

COD represents a multifaceted

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE A R T & C U LT U R E

opportunity of expression for art people,

hall, a mini theatre-like cinema where

the academia, civil society, politics and

can be projected documentaries,

most important for young generations

movie promotions and videos to raise

who are the ‘open doors’ of the future

awareness; The exhibiting spaces of

generations.

the Center, including the Protocol hall and of course the meeting room, a

What sets COD apart?

place designed in a way that anybody

COD has initiated projects concerning

can feel equally important to everyone

arts, social debate and cultural

else inside. These facilities are run on

education, as well as has set quality

an integrated schedule that includes

standards in the organizations of events

exhibitions, book presentations,

and art performances.

conversations, film screenings, discussion

Offering the centers facilities for free

forums, international conferences,

to the public, such as the library of

protocol ceremonies etc.

the Prime Minister’s Office, counting more than 5,500 special books and

COD is also a space for education,

the digitalized archives of the Council

where children and young people feel

of Ministers from 1920; The ‘Forum’

free to engage in discussion, thanks

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to the interactive programs dedicated

COD is a space that is constantly

to them. For four years now, we have

evolving and changing over time,

been dedicated to create and promote

but what always remains the same is

different programs with their focus on

welcoming visitors who can always enter

educating the new generations and

for free, every day, from Monday to

giving them a space when their voice can

Saturday. At the end of this year, we will

be heard.

publish a summary catalog of the journey that COD has had during these years,

What has been its impact in these 6

from July 2015 until now. Of course,

years?

there is a lot to say and not everything

Every year COD counts over 50,000

can be summarized within the pages of

visitors, who not only came to enjoy the

a catalog, but for us it was important to

diverse exhibitions we open, but also

have a historical publication of our center

participated in various activities of the

which has already become a reference

center.

point for many citizens.

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

What can you say about the efforts

current events COD is hosting and

and work you and COD Team

what we should expect for 2022?

realized during 2021?

At COD surprises are never lacking and

The year 2021 was another year full

we are already completing the calendar

of challenges for us at COD, as the

of 2022, not only with exhibitions by

pandemic continues to be present

local and foreign artists, but also with

and we all feel the limitations that this

very interesting programs focused on

situation creates for us. We would like

areas such as cinematography, literature,

to have more guests invited at each of

education, fine arts, music and culture.

our events, we would like to welcome

I would not like to reveal more details, as

more artists from around the world, thus

we like the surprise effect we have on the

creating new bridges in international

public and our loyal visitors, but I assure

culture. But we had to adapt and also

you that 2022 will be another year full

reschedule most of our programs online,

of events where everyone can find the

through our social media pages and

space that suits them best.

through our 3D virtual tours.

A R T & C U LT U R E

Can you tell us more about the

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Despite this, I can proudly say that we

that all this commitment comes thanks

managed to be one of the spaces where

to a dedicated staff working in COD,

visitors could be present every day, even

and I want to than each of them for their

in pandemic conditions. The year 2021

unstoppable everyday work.

that we are now leaving behind, was dedicated to Albanian artists, giving

Can you elaborate on the COD’s

them the space to exhibit their works, at

vision to push new frontiers and

a time when the community of artists was

can you give an example of the new

very much hit by the pandemic. This year,

formats that have been introduced

we had present not only exhibitions from

to the audience?

different genres such as photography,

I think COD has the potential to evolve

installation, sculpture and painting, but

even more in the future. Thanks to

also concerts or film screenings and book

the innovative architecture and the

promotions. But I want to emphasize

interactive space, this is an out-of-the-

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE A R T & C U LT U R E

ordinary center where spaces are created

keeping in our focus the visitors and the

to realize programs of different natures.

public, not only those who are already

We have recently adapted a new program

permanent friends of our center, but

which started as experimental but proved

also new visitors who still didn’t had the

to be successful. I’m talking about the

opportunity to come to COD.

program titled “Performed Readings”

In the end I would like to quote what I

where every month a famous Albanian

always say to the staff whenever they

actress performs in one of the spaces of

need a shot of motivation: ‘We are lucky

the center, selecting a certain work or

to work in one of the most inspiring

writer. Admission to any show is free for

spaces here in Albania, all we need is to

anyone who wants to enjoy a different

create new ideas for dressing this center

and very special performance.

with life. ‘

We are working to constantly bring

Thank you and looking through to see

innovation in various fields as I quoted a

you soon at COD.

little above according 2022, but always

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE T E C H N O L O G Y/ I N N OVAT I O N

Tumo Celebrates its 1st Anniversary!

1. Graphic Design - Scenery

ince launching last year, TUMO Tirana celebrates over 1000 brilliant Tumoians who have attended the center to learn and explore their superpowers in programming, animation, game development, graphic design, filmmaking, robotics, music and 3D modeling.

opportunities. Students start with self-learning sessions where they are encouraged to study in an independent manner, exploring everything that sparks their interest and curiosity. In the meantime, they are guided by an AI technology learning path as well as expert coaches.

Their brilliant minds have expressed their interesting worldview through several amazing projects, some even impressing industry professionals and gaining internship

After, they can choose what disciplines they feel most passionate about and pursue workshops to further broaden their

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expanding and providing a cutting edge educational experience for the Albanian youth. The center offers an educational, after-school program, where students, ages 12-18 years old can expand their creative and analytical skills in 8 different disciplines.

The following are several projects from the students. Each piece has its own story and has been crafted with passion over several hours of work.

To find out more information, you can visit www.tirana.tumo.al or you can contact no: 044524065.

1. GRAPHIC DESIGN - SCENERY (STUDENT AGE 14) Students worked on delivering a pretty scenery using patterns and a clean colour palette.

2. Animation - Bouncing Ball

2. ANIMATION - BOUNCING BALL (STUDENT AGE 14) This project comes from the 1st level animation workshop where students learn the basics of 2D animation. They are encouraged to work on a bouncing ball that wanders in a creative environment.

3. GAME DEVELOPMENT VILLAGE(STUDENT AGE 17)

3. Game Development - Village

This is a snapshot of a Game Development project, featuring a village. The full video shows the player walking through this village and houses that have wonderful details inspired by asian elements. Another TUMO Tirana milestone is the collaboration of students with UNDP Albania. Our students created the illustrations for a book with 9 stories titled “They Lived As They Wished Happily Ever After”. This book sparks the discussion on how we can change the patriarchal mentality, gender stereotypes, and how we can end gender based violence.

3. Game Development - Village

The TUMO Tirana center is committed to

T E C H N O L O G Y/ I N N OVAT I O N

expertise. Workshops are carried out by leading experts, and students end up with their own personal project.

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE AC A D E M I C D I A S P O R A

READ Program to Award Up to 1️00 Fellowship Grants to Albanian Academic Diaspora

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call starting from January 2022.

in the World in terms of international

The end of the ceremony culminated

migration, “with more than 1.4 million

with the AADF Co-CEOs signing a

Albanians living abroad and more

collaborative agreement with University

than 2,500 Ph.D. holders of Albanian

of Tirana and University of Medicine,

origin….”. This striking fact was

Tirana to ensure a stronger academic

presented during the launching event

support to the project.

of READ Program, early this month. To engage this intellectual potential

The event and READ program in its

in the country of origin, the Albanian-

entirety were attended and warmly

American Development Foundation,

congratulated by

in coordination with the Institute of

representatives of Higher Education

International Education, has established

Institutions all over the country, Ministry

the Research Expertise from the

of Europe and Foreign Affairs, civil

Academic Diaspora Fellowship Program

society organizations and academics from

(READ). READ Fellowship Program is a

scientific Diaspora and Albania.

7️-year project that will connect Higher

Kindly find below 2 videos of READ

Education Institutions in Albania with

project:

the Albanian scientific diaspora and their

https://youtu.be/av7R6qFRRpU

respective academic institutions.

https://youtu.be/LnzBSQzCEg0

READ Program will award up to 1️00 fellowship grants to members of the Albanian academic diaspora and up to 1️00 research grants to Albanian resident scholars, aiming to raise institutional capacities and the quality of scientific research. The first Advisory Council Board was also introduced during the event, constituting of 5 members whose launched the first

AC A D E M I C D I A S P O R A

Albania is one of the leading countries

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE EXPO 2020 DUBAI

Boosting Albania’s Sustainable Tourist Destination at

EXPO 2020 Dubai

he Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA), part of the organizational apparatus of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, aims to increase the competitiveness of the private sector, strengthen the country’s export potential, promote and support foreign direct investment in Albania, as well as promote the country’s tourism potential. As an intermediary between foreign investors and the Government of Albania, AIDA provides access to up-todate information, provides an efficient way of communicating with government bodies and serves as a “One-Stop-Shop”, supporting investors throughout the investment process. AIDA (www.aida.al) is responsible for Albania’s representation in EXPO 2020 Dubai, which is a World Expo, currently hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. On this occasion, AIDA kindly

responded to the following questions of TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE: 1. What can you say about Albania’s presentation in Expo 2020 Dubai? What are the main aspects this presentation will be characterized?

We aim to boost the image of the country as a sustainable tourist destination. Additionally, we want Albania to be recognized as a key trade and investment partner in Southeastern Europe, by strengthening relations with the UAE and other participating countries, in connectivity with Expo programs, and provide a platform for business and governmental cooperation. In this way, Albanian participation aims at creating and strengthening cultural, diplomatic and economic networks with various strategic partners. Albania aims to provide an area that brings together businesses, people and knowledge, to think creatively

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE EXPO 2020 DUBAI

and learn from each other, and discuss collaborations and solutions for tackling common problems.

3. As the event spans from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, how has Albania planned to keep the interest up during all this period of time?

2. How important is Albania’s participation in an event of such dimensions where 200 participants with an estimated of 50 million visitors from around the world, are expected? Through its participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, Albania aims to present great opportunities of trade, not only limited to goods and products, but also related to the exchange of knowledge and ideas. Putting an emphasis on recent strategic investments and presenting new investment opportunities, Albania aims to have a significant impact on the Balkans and Mediterranean region through the construction of new air, road, rail and maritime infrastructure that will facilitate transport, trade, tourism and mobility.

Albania’s pavilion provides its visitors with the opportunity to embark on a captivating journey through time, exploring our country’s fascinating natural wonders, rich history, impressive cultural heritage, and abundant opportunities. As soon as they pass through the doors of the Albanian pavilion, visitors will face the vibrant colors of an astonishing variety of showcased objects, including: National historical costumes; pictures of the cultural sites and Albanian nature landscapes; unique musical instruments; floral and mineral stones installations; scale size models of castles, mountains, Albanian ancient ships, new buildings that express the

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE EXPO 2020 DUBAI

represents the natural and cultural factors that they incorporate. Albania will organize thematic days that will envisage promotion experience of Albanian cultural events and performances with folk dance and songs, culinary shows, business forums and presentations of different sectors such as tourism, infrastructure, innovation, renewable energy, agriculture, etc., with esteemed guests from Albania and with emphasis on interaction with visitors.

bold architecture present in Albania nowadays and paintings with traditional Albanian motifs. The materials will be sustainable and colorful symbolizing the relief features. By combining different materials, we seek to highlight connections and diversity. Also, thanks to video and sound presentation we wish to share the natural beauties of Albania to visitors and recreate the breath-taking feel of pure nature. Lastly, after their encounter with the Albanian culture, history and further development potentials, the visitors will have the opportunity of purchasing Albanian products, as mementos of their experience in the pavilion. This section will offer a wide variety of products, from tasty honey variations to masterlycrafted souvenirs that mirror the natural treasures and cultural values of Albania. With this last impression, the Albanian pavilion promotes the Made in Albania brands by emphasizing that their value is closely connected and emblematically

4. What about in terms of investments, how will Expo 2020 Dubai influence on Albania making it even more attractive internationally? Do you have a relevant strategy? Located at the heart of several major transport corridors, Albania has historically served as an important link between Western and Eastern Europe. Having this strategic positioning, allows the country to explore the opportunities in encouraging and stimulating an international attraction and movement towards the country. Thus, with a great diversity of nature wonders, tradition and culture inside a small territory, Albania is promoting tourism as a strategic sector of the economy, with high economic, social and community impact. The country is determined in developing a tourism sector in full harmony with the environment, focused on several priority directions such as the coastal

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6. Can you provide some key figures regarding the trade contacts between the two countries? What is the trend? Regarding the key figures, please find attached a document detailing the economic and trade relationship between the countries.

We want Albania to be recognized as a key trade and investment partner in Southeastern Europe, by strengthening relations with the UAE and other participating countries.

The Port of Durres project is one of the most important investment projects for Albania. It is obvious that Albania in Expo Dubai 2020 promotes such an opportunity for all Emirati entities.

EXPO 2020 DUBAI

5. After the announcement of Durres Port as a project undertaken by Emaar Group, is Albania’ s great participation at Expo 2020 Dubai another confirmation of the nurtured relations between Albania and Dubai? The Port of Durres project is one of the most important investment projects for Albania. This project is the first of its kind for the importance it represents and the socio-economic impact it will have on the development, not only of the Durres region, but also on the creation of a standardized infrastructure of this type in Albania. It is obvious that Albania in Expo Dubai 2020 promotes such an opportunity for all Emirati entities.

tourism product, cultural and productive tourism product and natural tourism. Therefore, the government master plan on developing the Albanian Alps and its surrounding area in the northern Albania, will boost the development of its mountainous sustainable tourism through construction of road infrastructure and other important projects such the ‘100 villages program’, that combine nature and the environment in order to turn Albania into a popular and sustainable tourist destination. Additionally, other strategic investments on Infrastructure and Energy, based on best practices, international corridors of road, air, water and railway transport and electric supply, are to be fulfilled with an impact on the Balkans and on Mediterranean region, such as: Construction of Vlora International Airport, in Southern Albania, highly visited by tourists (over 300,000 annually, according to the World Bank); Construction of Llogara Tunnel, which will be more vehicle and bus friendly than the existing road; Construction of a new railway near the Greek border, which will develop and promote environmentally friendly rail transport, providing a direct maritime and rail connection between the Port of Durres (Albania) to Port of Piraeus (Greece) and the Athens metropolitan area (over 4 million population); large solar photovoltaic power plant in Karavasta salty land; the start-up project of Electrical stations for renewable energy, building electrical substations in Albania, as an incentive for energy efficiency and for climate improvement.

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE EXPO 2020 DUBAI

ECONOMIC AND TRADE COLLABORATION BETWEEN ALBANIA AND UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 1. EMIRATIS INVESTMENTS IN ALBANIA The stock of direct emiratis investments in Albania (in million Euros) for the period 2017 – Q2 2021 is as follows:

Source: Bank of Albania

The presence of emiratis investments in our country is characterized by a fluctuating trend during the period 2017 - June 2021. This indicator has reached the maximum in 2018 in the amount of 24 million Euros. For the period January - June 2021 the stock is 20 million Euros.

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period 2017 – Q2 2021 is as follows:

Source: Bank of Albania

The inflow of emiratis investments in our country has been characterized by continuous fluctuations throughout the period under review, reaching a maximum of 3 million Euros in 2018. In 2020 there is a significant increase in the inflow of 8 million Euros. For the period January - June 2021 this indicator marks the value of 1 million Euros.

2. TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN ALBANIA AND UNITED ARAB EMIRATES The stock of direct emiratis investments in Albania (in million Euros) for the period 2017 – Q2 2021 is as follows:

EXPO 2020 DUBAI

The inflow of emiratis direct investments in Albania (in million Euros) for the

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE EXPO 2020 DUBAI

Import figures from the United Arab Emirates have increased steadily in the period 2017 - 2019, marking the highest figure respectively at 8.7 million Euros. In 2020, imports decreased by about 10.5% or 0.9 million Euros, while for the period January August 2021 this indicator marks the value of 7.2 million Euros. Exports have also had a trend characterized by continuous growth for the period 2017 - 2019. The maximum of exports to the United Arab Emirates has reached the value of 6.7 million Euros. For the period January - August 2021 this indicator reaches the value of 5 million Euros. Imports from the UAE for 2020 are concentrated on the group of ‘Construction materials and metals’ (39%), followed by the group of ‘Machinery, equipment and spare parts’ (34%). These groups of commodities continue to dominate imports from the United Arab Emirates for the period January - August 2021, respectively with 48% of the total group of commodities “Construction materials and metals” and with 31% of the total group of commodities “Machinery, equipment and spare parts”. Exports to the UAE for 2020 are mostly concentrated on the group of ‘Minerals, fuels, electricity’ (92%), followed by the group of commodities ‘Machinery, equipment and spare parts’ (2%). The group of commodities “Minerals, fuels, electricity” continues to dominate exports to the United Arab Emirates for the period January - August 2021, respectively with 83% of the total and is followed by the group of “Construction materials and metals” with 14%.

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE C U LT U R E / H E R I TAG E

PROFESSOR GABRIELA KRIST

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- I have had the opportunity to travel in the Balkans in the past but Albania is a special place for me with its natural beauty, culture and people. BY RUDINA HOXHA

ROFESSOR GABRIELA KRIST, an art conservator and restorer, from the University of Applied Arts, Institute of Conservation, Vienna started the cooperation with UNOPS in 2020. “It was great to learn that the EU4Culture programme was all about how UNOPS is supporting Albania through EU funding to conserve/preserve its cultural heritage. I was more than flattered to commence this cooperation,” Krist says in an exclusive interview with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE. According to her, UNOPS mandate in infrastructure, project management and procurement, combined with the knowledge of various cultural heritage experts and with the solid cooperation of the Ministry of Culture, is an excellent basis to deliver this very complex project. Krist also reveals another exciting plan.

“During next July (2022), we aim to organize a summer school where my students from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna together with the students of University of Tirana will be engaged in the EU4Culture programme. Our focus will be on the Ethnographic Museums of Kruja and Kavaja.” Full interview below: 1. Welcome to Albania Professor Krist! So happy to have you in our country. What is your first impression about this visit and the cooperation with UNOPS through the EU4Culture programme? I first came to Albania this summer with two colleagues, stone conservators, and our duty was to check together with UNOPS, the sites damaged by the earthquake including the museums. During our mission we had this great opportunity to travel throughout the country, from Durrës, to Kavaja, Kruja, Bashtova and Lezha castle, Durrës

C U LT U R E / H E R I TAG E

My Albania Experience with UNOPS Has Enriched me Professionally and Personally

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE C U LT U R E / H E R I TAG E

procurement, combined with the knowledge of various cultural heritage experts and with the solid cooperation of the Ministry of Culture, is an excellent basis to deliver this very complex project. I was more than flattered to commence this cooperation.

Archaeological Museum and of course the National Historic Museum in Tirana. We acquired a real impression of the richness of Albanian culture and the condition of the damaged sites. It was also important to us to discuss with local experts and communities, and hear their views. That was really an important experience for me. I have had the opportunity to travel in the Balkans in the past but Albania is a special place for me with its natural beauty, culture and people. 2. What about the cooperation with the EU4Culture programme? This whole opportunity started a year ago, back in 2020, when I was engaged to advise on conservation and restoration, although due to the pandemic crisis we had to postpone our travels. At the time it was my first experience with UNOPS. It was great to learn that the EU4Culture programme was all about how UNOPS is supporting Albania through EU funding to conserve/preserve its cultural heritage. UNOPS mandate in infrastructure, project management and

3. How long have you been an art conservator and restorer? How did you get into conservation and restoration? Oh la la, this is a good question. It had started already in high school. My wish was to do something in the artistic field because I like drawing and painting. In my parents’ house, antiquity or fine arts were always a topic of discussion. Then I got to know old conservators and developed a keen interest in that field. During high school I could see what they were doing and then in the final years there was this wish to start this profession. After my high school graduation in 1974 I finally entered the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna to become a restorer. I have not regretted a single day since then!

4. What is your particular area of expertise? I am classically educated as a painting conservator and after these studies I commenced working at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, a well-known institution in Austria where I have been a lecturer of painting conservation. One of my biggest wishes has always been to become a university professor. I finished my PHD in art history later on. I left the academy because I obtained a job at ICCROM (The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) in Rome, a UNESCO funded

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here with different materials and you have to adapt and react to local challenges. Another exciting plan we have is that during next July (2022) we aim to organize a summer school where my students from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna together with the students of University of Tirana will be engaged in the EU4Culture programme. Our focus will be on the Ethnographic Museums of Kruja and Kavaja. It will be a one month working campaign and a unique opportunity for them all to work together on the important textiles within the two collections.

5. What excites you the most about the EU4Culture Programme in Albania? I was very impressed by the substantial cultural heritage you have in this country, from archaeological sites to ethnographic museums. I found it very useful that UNOPS is coordinating this project not only to repair earthquake damage but also to establish new concepts of interpretation, display and exhibition. In addition to repairing affected cultural sites, UNOPS is also working with experts to enhance museum standards. I believe this is extremely important for this country because tourism and especially cultural tourism will play an important role for economic development and to raise living standards.

7. Based on your long experience, how would you say art conservation/ restoration has changed over the years? We are all aware that the funds for conservation or for culture are limited and they are not increasing. We must also think of the restoration part. If there is financial investment in preservation and conservation matters, that money should be invested wisely. That is why I am very pleased to see the EU’s commitment to Culture in Albania through such a great and important investment. Over the last ten years there has been a shift in the conservation approach. We do not only deal with single objects or single monuments but we have to take a holistic, more global view, caring for collections, investing money not for a single item but trying to keep the collection alive and in good condition. These are the new trends. We are more and more referring to preventive conservation, working with the environment around the museum’s objects. I think this is the best thing we can do at the moment, to deal with the collections and with new concepts to care also for monuments and sites, for example through proper monitoring and maintenance.

6. What will this experience bring to you? I am always keen to learn, and I think that we live in a time where you cannot say you are an expert or you have learnt enough. You have the possibility to see different contexts and perspectives and you must react flexibly to all the specific needs in an individual country. I feel this experience enriches me both professionally and personally. Moreover, I don’t work here alone but with a team of experts. My colleagues are with me and their contributions are very important. You work

C U LT U R E / H E R I TAG E

organization that was established after the Second World War. During my eight years working at ICCROM I got to learn a lot about working in an international context. I was responsible for the Asia region at that time and we coordinated postgraduate training programs in India and Japan. It was a good experience. After that, I worked for the Central Monuments Preservation Office (Bundesdenkmalamt-BDA) in Vienna who are in charge of all the protected monuments in our country. Finally, in 1999, I was appointed as a professor to the University of the Applied Arts in Vienna.

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Blerina Guga: JAA Stands Firm to Contribute! BY RUDINA HOXHA

HIEF EXECUTIVE Officer of Junior Achievement of Albania (JAA), Blerina Guga is happy to share the vision, the mission as well as the objective and the achievements of her team with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE in an exclusive interview.

Guga, appointed in this post in the beginning of 2020, explains that the JAA mission is to promote and support economic education and entrepreneurship among young people in Albania. “It is a broad and challenging mission, but achievable through strategic support, partnerships and innovation on the way,” she says in this interview. According to her, JAA educational

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Albania, aiming to inspire, prepare and help them succeed in the real-world job markets and entrepreneurship.

programs are part of the core curricula form preschool to 12th grade. Furthermore, Guga summarizes on the JAA projects and programs.

Junior Achievement itself is an education model and curricula that comes from the US and for 102 years is still succeeding to prepare and guide youngsters worldwide in 122 countries toward healthy understanding of finances and entrepreneurial paths.

Full interview below: Mrs. Guga, thank you for accepting our request for this interview. Please can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your new role in the Junior Achievement of Albania (JAA).

In Albania, JAA is a strategic investment of Albanian-American Development Foundation since 2012 in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports. Starting with elective courses and modules introduces to the preuniversity education curricula at the time, JAA achieved to become part of the new competence-based curricula of the preuniversity education

Thank you Trailblazing Magazine for having me! I would love to talk more about JAA first, as it will help the reader understand the passion and the commitment it inspires to me and the team. Junior Achievement of Albania is an organization dedicated to financial and entrepreneurial education of youth in

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regional innovation camps, international trade games and entrepreneurship’s fairs and competitions, just to name a few. I joined the team in early 2019, after 20 years of working experience in the NGO sector in Albania and some 2 years of public administration experience. This organization was the perfect bond of my passion for lifelong learning with its mission and development pillars “Financial Education, Entrepreneurship and Work Readiness”.

system in the country, delivering the needed support to educate and evaluate the entrepreneurial and lifelong learning competences.

What is the mission of the JAA and can you mention some of its main current projects? JAA mission is to promote and support economic education and entrepreneurship among young people in Albania. It is a broad and challenging mission, but achievable through strategic support, partnerships and innovation on the way.

Every year, since September 2018 every child in Albania, from the first to the 12th grade, meets JAA concepts, modules and activities in its core and elective curricula, namely there are 18 JAA experience during one’s school path of every Albanian young person. JAA is an education model that equips young people with the needed skills to succeed in their path, and deepen their learning experiences through practical implementation of those skills.

Since 2018, JAA due to its work and persistence, JAA programs are present full scale in the Albanian pre university education system. JAA educational programs are part of the core curricula form preschool to 12th grade, through a dedicated chapter to financial and entrepreneurial education in “Citizenship” 1-8 subject, integrated part of the “Economy 12” subject and in the elective curricula through is elective

JAA is a dynamic team of 9 that goes beyond usual suspected NGO dynamics and modus operandi, to engage young Albanians in extracurricular activities such as finance bootcamps, local and

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“JAA in High Schools’ core and elective curricula” is the second biggest project of ours, that has 2 very interesting components. The elective modules of “Students’ company” and “Job shadow” offered to 11th and 12th graders all over Albania, followed by at least 4000 young students each year, and modules of “Business Ethics”, “Success Skills”, “Be Entrepreneurial” and “Personal Finances” are integrated part of “Economy 12” subject, tough to every Albanian 12th grader each year.

“JAA in K9” is our project in basic education in Albania from the 1st to the 8th grade. Initiated in 2015 and still running, this project has successfully insert JAA concepts and chapters of financial education and entrepreneurship, in the Civic Education subject. As previously mentioned, more than 8000 teachers of the subject have been trained and accredited in teaching related skills, and assisted with toolkits and didactic materials on relevant JAA chapters. The extracurricular component of the project is related to activities held periodically out of schools, that engage pupils in local and regional finance bootcamps, competitions and entrepreneurial challenges to apply their

“Debating Economics” and “JuniorUP” are the recent projects of JAA, that enrich the offer of the center to young Albanians of the tertiary education, to learn and practice skills and mindsets needed to succeed in the 21st century. It would take me a long winter’s night to talk about each of them, but I invite the reader to jump to our webpage and social media channels to see more. Proud of our achievements, but inspired for more, JAA’s further strategic steps, that we’re slightly explored, are digitalization and gamification of learning experiences on financial education and entrepreneurship and building teachers’ digital and inclusive educational skills.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

skills.

modules “Students’ company” and “Job shadow” offered to 11th and 12th graders all over Albania.

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

If we can talk in figures, how many young entrepreneurs have been supported by JAA in facing their startup obstacles? Our “JuniorUP” or JUP project, dedicated to startups support in Albania is the youngest of our programs. It just launched in late November, and we had the wonderful chance to have AADF Chairman of Board of Directors, and a very successful businessman, Ms.Michael Granoff, to share with the aspirants, the beauty and the challenges of entrepreneurship. JUP is designed to assist and support young entrepreneurs coming from JAA’s Students’ Company Program and emerging as startups. It is still too early to claim numbers to such a fresh

initiative, but proudly we claim the reasoning and the results of JAA work in high schools’ elective programs in years. As per today there are 8 startups that emerged from JAA’s Students Company Program, that are operative in the markets, employing other than their funders, 45 persons, and still growing. JUP program, is tailored toward their support and miniacceleration, following the successful model of Junior Achievement Europe StartUp program. Do you think youth entrepreneurship is already a trending topic in the Albanian economic agenda? How is the JAA contributing in this aspect? Albania is an entrepreneurial nation in my humble opinion. Courageous, curious and early explorers of economic opportunities outside the country, it is about time to make it happen sustainably within the country. Lot of attention is being paid to entrepreneurship in the economic agenda, governmental supports scheme for startups, donors’ community highly grown attention and financing of startups, are all

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plausible, but it is just the beginning. Integration to regional and worldwide markets and entrepreneurial trends, learned and applied models of entrepreneurship of a different kind, inspired and oriented by local needs and potentials, but prepared to offer global integrated solutions. At Junior Achievement of Albania, we will continue to do our work, to apply a teaching and practicing models of entrepreneurship skills that grow gradually from early schoolyears to first professional and/or entrepreneurial attempts of young Albanians, with the support of the AADF and the collaboration of our local and international partners.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

To your knowledge, what type of support is a young entrepreneur or aspiring entrepreneur primarily looking for? Which are the main barriers, besides financing an idea, that young people face to become entrepreneurs? Entrepreneurship is a skill that can be applied to any field of activity, not only while engaging in business endeavors. Its skills are fundamental to personal and professional growth. Young entrepreneurs mainly complain for lack of financial support, no business angels’ structures in place in the country and many other missing tiles of the puzzle. Whereas it is a journey that asks for personal and team growth, coordination and communication among many actors and factors before reaching the point of investment. Exactly as you point it in your last question, entrepreneurship is a process of becoming, transforming and upgrading of one’s idea to a successful sustainable business offer. That’s were JAA stands firm to contribute! Thank you!

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Dynamic Work Between New Products and Marathons Interview with Stefan Milovic, Marketing Manager in AluKönigStahl Bosnia and Herzegovina

BY RUDINA HOXHA

arathons are growing in popularity at a record pace. Companies are embracing them enthusiastically as a way to catch up with people and contribute to the society, increase the visibility and the confidence of the company, and a great return on investment is guaranteed. At the end of the day, you have a perfect story to tell. Here is the one of Stefan Milović, Marketing Manager in AluKönigStahl Bosnia and Herzegovina:

1. Markets are characterized by various product cycles – from fast-paced to slow. That’s why you love marathons? In our marketing world, a product is an object or system made available for consumer use. It is anything that can be offered to a market to satisfy the

desire or need of a customer. Products, like runners, have life cycles. A product begins with an idea, and within the confines of modern business, it isn’t likely to go further until it undergoes research and development and is found to be feasible and potentially profitable. At that point, the product is produced, marketed, and rolled out. The product background is similar with marathons. To prepare a new product you need time and a plan, the same goes for a marathon. Most typical marathon training plans are 16 to 20 weeks long. During this time, you’ll typically run three to five times a week, increasing your mileage as you get nearer to race day. Whether you are a seasoned jogger who wants to work towards a new goal or a novice runner who is inspired by a friend’s accomplishment of winning a race, there

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Running a race can offer a number of benefits for the body, mind, and soul. That’s the reason why i love it.

you can move forward by figuring out what went wrong and then hopping right back into your training. Active running helps me to be more productive at work, to solve current problems faster and to be more inspiring in everyday business projects.

2. Do the marathons give a dynamic to your job as Marketing Manager of AluKönigStahl? There are so many reasons why people should run. I will mention just few of it like improved overall health, stress reduction, improved motivation, better sleep… It has also a big impact on my daily job as Marketing manager in AluKönigStahl. Even a bad run or race can be a teachable moment that forces you to learn something new about yourself. Although a slow or difficult run can be disheartening and frustrating,

3. How would you characterise your job and the impact of your engagement in social causes such as support to the kids without parental care, so important for the community nowadays? Since 2017, i am working in AluKönigStahl Bosnia and Herzegovina as Marketing manager, responsible for 5 countries including Albania. I really like my job because every working day is a challenge like marathon. Marketing trends come and go at lightning speed. It can be extremely difficult to stay on top of the latest strategies, tools, social platforms,

are many personal reasons as to why you would want to train for and run in a marathon.

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just about money support, but awareness too. Our company was involved in the charity runs in our country. We shared this journey on our multiple social media channels. For every person who sees our challenge, someone is learning about the charity and their cause. Raising awareness can be just as key as raising funds, and this awareness could have a long-term impact.

and viral content. Plus, you need to balance trends with meeting company marketing and business goals. Finding a way to marry trends with strategy and executing business objectives can be a tough juggling act. Marketing managers are required to assess consumers, anticipate the market, and analyze other factors that influence marketing such as political, environmental, social and economic changes.

4. AluKönigStahl brings products to life that have a significant impact on people’s lives. What are some of the good reasons to work for AluKönigStahl? Strong ideas, continuous development and targeted actions stand out in our complete range of services. We want to be the first choice for our partners worldwide across all phases of a building project. Today and in the future. Our

Today, our society is facing huge challenges, especially in the pandemic time. This is certainly maintained in our business as well. Companies need to become socially responsible in order to overcome these difficult times together. AluKönigStahl is one of them and there is always a sensitivity for support to vulnerable categories of society like kids without parental care. However it’s not

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that marathon, I plan to participate in 2 more big marathons and run one half marathon at least once a month. At the moment, I am not thinking about winning any awards and some significant results because it takes a lot of time and training. For me, the biggest reward is to run a race, meet new people and promote the positive values of this sport.

50 years ago, AluKönigStahl has formed an alliance together with the international leading system manufacturer Schüco. Schüco is one of the leading suppliers of high-quality window, door and façade systems made from aluminium, PVC-U and steel. Millions of Schüco products are used all over the world and meet the highest requirements of design, comfort, security and energy efficiency. 5. What are your future marathon plans? Will you demonstrate this journey through awards? In just four months of running, I finished 2 marathons and 5 half marathons which is a really big success for one recreational runner. The head office of our company is located in Vienna and I have already done the registration for the Vienna City Marathon in April 2022. In addition to

SOCIAL SPORTS

corporate values, which we embody every single day, show how we will achieve this goal and what we stand for. AluKönigStahl is a supplier for highquality aluminum, steel and PVC system solutions as well as components for the implementation of contemporary, energy efficient architecture and can therefore support the execution of sustainable building concepts. Due to the distribution of renowned brands AluKönigStahl ensures a high quality range, which is constantly being optimized and adapted to progressive architectural trends.

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JOSÉ ROLO: “Real Estate, My Greatest Love? It Was All!” IN 2020 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC, WE BROKE THE TURNOVER RECORD BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO

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2. Your card fits all of the following: long experience, vision, global reach, and homebuyer insight. Are these the components of your success? I’ve been in the real estate area since 2007 and my comfort zone is undoubtedly Parque das Nações. Of course, I will always help my clients to make their dream come true anywhere in Portugal. Yes because buying a house will always be a dream. I dedicate at least 8 to 10 hours a day to making these dreams possible. I am a person of affection, I like to make myself known and I try to maintain a great relationship and friendship with my clients as much as possible.

osé Rolo, Real Estate Consultant at CENTURY 21 Nações in Lisbon, Portugal, tells in an interview with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE that he is very happy and proud to belong to the Great Century21 Nações Family. “It has been an excellent journey since 2014. I am currently the C21 Ambassador, Centurion Honor Society, Rookie of the Year and Diamond Award 2014 and I will be Centurion Award for the 7th time in a row,” Rolo told TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE. Considering the house buying a persisting dream, Rolo says that he will always be by the clients ‘side to make their dream come true.

3. Can we talk about Century 21 EXPO results in numbers? What were the profiles of buyers during the pandemic and now at the end of 2021? In 2020 in the middle of the pandemic, we broke the turnover record, leaving Nações I in 3rd place in Portugal/Spain. In addition to some foreign customers,

Full interview below: 1. How was 2021 for Century 21 EXPO? How were your expectations met? 2021 has been a record year for the C21

R E A L E S TAT E

Nações Group, made up of Nações I in Parque das Nações north, Nações II in the south of Parque das Nações, Nações III in Sacavém, Nações IV in Portela de Sacavém and this year we inaugurate Nações V in Alcochete on the south bank of the Tagus river and our Business Center in Parque das Nações. Nações I is in 1st place in Portugal/Spain since January. We hope to end the year in this same place.

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possible but in the purchase of commercial property worth 500k.

most of our customers are still domestic. Portugal continues to have a lot of new construction and the Portuguese have opted to invest in the acquisition of apartments at the beginning of their construction. Thinking that the end will be in 2022 or 2023, they can make a down payment of 15%, 5% after 6 months, 5% after 12 months and the remaining 75% for payment at the time of deed. In order to obtain the GV, customers from other countries must purchase a finished property for 500k or purchase for 350k for refurbishment but property over 30 years old. Unfortunately, it will end at the end of the year in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto. From 2022 to obtain the GV it will be

4. Of all the aspects of your work, how important are emotions in your business? Do you think this is one of your winning cards when customer emotions are often underestimated? Buying a property is also emotional. The customer is not buying a simple pair of shoes, a shirt, a dress or any other accessory. He tries to find his future home. Improve your family life. Seeking more and more quality of life. We have to try to find out why to move house. Will it be work? Will it be for a better school for your children? It could also be for living close to family members or simply because your life has improved and you are looking to live in a better place. With the arrival of the pandemic and people being telecommuting, people became aware of the lack of space in their home. Living room with little area, very small rooms, but mostly lack of outside space. So, it was not surprising to look for a house with a balcony or

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at the reception of the Hotel Cidade de Vigo, Hospital Geral de Vigo, salesperson at Electrolux and also managed 3 restaurant businesses

terrace and a townhouse or villa near Lisbon. 5. After working in hotels, you’ve devoted your entire life to real estate. Why? Is it the greatest love?

My greatest love? It was all! When I accept a job, I have to be at 121% Right now, I’m very happy at Century21 Nações I. It has been an excellent journey since 2014. I am currently the C21 Ambassador, Centurion Honor Society, Rookie of the Year and Diamond Award 2014 and I will be Centurion Award for the 7th time in a row.

Yes, I started my job in 1965 as a bell boy at the Hotel Ritz in Lisbon in August 1972 I had the pleasure of being part of the opening of Lisbon-Sheraton Hotel where I was a night room clerk and later TourCoordinator, later I was head of reception at the Hotel from the Tower in Belém next to the Jerónimos Monastery. In 1974 was the year to fulfill the military obligation for 2 years. In 1976, I went to Spain where I stayed until 1994. I worked

I am proud to belong to this Great C21 Nações Family.

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Gerta Lubonja: EU AND AUSTRIAN SUPPORT TO WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IS CRUCIAL!

“EU Support to Integrated Water

Resources Management and bylaws,” she

Management (EUSIWM) project has

said.

been crucial in order to enhance the implementation of the National Water

Full interview below:

Reform and the progress of Albania towards the approximation of EU water

Can you do a panorama of Albanian

legislation requirements into the national

Agency on Water Resources

legislation,” says Gerta Lubonja, the

Management Agency in Albania

General Director of Water Resources

(AMBU)? How important is its

Management Agency in Albania (WRMA/

role to guarantee a proper water

AMBU) in an exclusive interview with

resources management of the

TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE.

country?

EUSIWM, a project co-founded by

Albania has abundant water resources,

the European Union and Austrian

split in seven river basins (Drin-

Development Cooperation, is

Buna, Vjosa, Semani, Shkumbini,

implemented by the Austrian

Mati, Ishëm, Erzeni), of which two are

Development Agency. This project,

transboundary: Drin-Bunë is shared

according to Lubonja, has been

with Greece, Montenegro, Republic of

supporting the Albanian water

North Macedonia, and Kosovo; Vjosa

authorities. “Currently, AMBU, supported

is shared with Greece. Albania is also

by the EUSIWM project team is working

home of three major natural lakes (Ohrid

on drafting the new Law on Water

(the deepest and oldest lake in Europe),

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Prespa and Skadar), 247 small natural

However, the available quantity of

lakes, and 630 artificial reservoirs. The

surface water (and to a lesser extent, of

country has access to the Adriatic and

groundwater) drastically decreases during

Ionian Seas with a coastline of 427 km,

the summer dry season (July-September),

of which 273 km on the Adriatic Sea and

with only 6-9% of annual runoff).

154 km on the Ionian Sea. The coast also homes several major protected

AMBU, is responsible for the

natural lagoons: Kune-Vain in the north,

development, management, and

Karavasta and Narta, and Butrinti in

implementation of an integrated water

the south. Groundwater resources are

resources management agenda, for all

abundant, between 9 billion m3/y and 13

surfaces and groundwater bodies in the

billion m3/y. Albania has close to 10,000

country.

m3 of freshwater available per person

The protection, and sustainable use

per year, ranking in the top 10 in Europe.

of all waters at river basin level will be

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with office at local / river basin level in Shkodër; • WBAO for Mat, Ishëm, Erzen river basins – with office at local / river basin level in Tirana; • WBAO for Shkumbin and Seman river basins – with office at local / river basin level in Fier; • WBAO for Vjosë river basin – with office at local / river basin level in Vlorë. As of 2021, the AMBU employs 64 staff members, out of 82 positions available. achieved through the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive

As the main institution responsible for

(WFD) principles – and here in particular,

policies and strategies in the integrated

through the establishment of a river

water resources management its role is

basin management planning, and

substantial for guaranteeing an adequate

implementation process as defined in

administration of the country’s resources

Annex VII of the EU WFD.

and potential in order to preserve

Institutionally, the AMBU is reporting to

quantitative and qualitative status of

the Prime Minister’s Office. Four local

water and thus contributing to the

offices (Water Basin Administration

sustainable development.

Offices) WBAOs for water resources management at river basin level are

How fast is the AMBU moving in

reporting to the AMBU Head Office in

transposing and implementing the

Tirana. In total, the AMBU consists of the

European Union Water Framework

following five offices:

Directives?

• AMBU Head Office in Tirana (central

The transposition level of EU legislation

level);

within the national one in the field of

• WBAO for Drin-Bunë river basin -

water management remains partial, in

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The transposition level was increased by the adoption of the Council of Minister’s

How important has been the impact

Decision no. 1015, date 16.12.2020, “For

of EU Support to Integrated Water

the content and implementation of the

Management project for the Agency

National Water Resources Management

you lead, in achieving a sustainable

Strategy, of the River Basin Management

financing of water resources

Plans and Flood Risk Management

management? Can you mention

Plans”, as it partially transposes four

other aspects that EUSIWM

more European Commission Directives.

has helped the AMBU? The support of the project has been

Currently, AMBU, supported by the

crucial in order to enhance the

EUSIWM project team is working on

implementation of the National Water

drafting the new Law on Water Resources

Reform and the progress of Albania

Management and bylaws. The new legal

towards the approximation of EU water

package aims the full transposition of

legislation requirements into the national

the WFD and other 9 EU Directives The

legislation.

new legal framework, once into force, will set the stage for the AWRM to prepare

EU Support to Integrated Water

river basin management plans (RBMP)

management, is a project co-founded

as key mechanisms to ensure effective

by the European Union and Austrian Development Cooperation. The project is implemented by the Austrian Development Agency and has been supporting the Albanian water authorities mainly the Agency for Water Resources Management and its Local Administration Offices - in the preparation of River Basin Management Plans for Mati/

WAT E R M A N AG E M E N T

integrated water management.

relation to some important directives.

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Furthermore, the sector has incomplete and partially obsolete water and wastewater infrastructure, inefficient cost recovery policies for water related services, insufficient financial means for infrastructure development and

Ishem/Erzen river basins in compliance

operation and

with the requirements of the EU Water

maintenance. Inadequate management

Framework Directive. EUSIWM will also

and water services tariffs are in general

focus on the Vjosa river basin for the

excessively influenced by political

preparation of a Gap Assessment aiming

considerations. Furthermore, there

at follow-up actions.

is limited integrated monitoring,

Other aspects include the continuous

weak enforcement and insufficient

support in preparing a comprehensive analyses of the budgetary framework and economic aspects of water extraction and water use at basin level in line with water framework directive principles, the tariff

coordination of planning and budgeting of investments. As an economy in transition, Albania is confronting a fast development trajectory. Rapid urbanisation, economic

structure will be reviewed and enforced.

and infrastructure development, notably mass tourism infrastructure in coastal

What are the current challenges of

areas threaten increasingly the quality

AMBU?

and quantity of water resources available,

Water management competencies are

impacting the ecological health of water

shared among several institutions with

bodies and the environment. Other

insufficient capacities and coordination.

concerns include the multiplication of

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laboratories, to designate, assess and

river basins, gravel extractions. Climate

promote good water status for all water

change is an additional worsening factor.

related EU directives and all water

There is a lack of river basin management

bodies in the country, increase access

approach and cooperation to tackle

of populations to waste water collection

situations where water bodies show

with centralised treatment systems, and

receding water levels due to climate

enhance the sustainability of water and

change, or over-abstraction or pollution

sewerage utilities.

and deterioration of river water quality

Despite all the difficulties and challenges

downstream of large urban centres.

in the sector through the support of all donors and particularly the Austrian

Do you think there is an immediate

Development Agency, Albania is on its

need for funding a sustainable

way to join the European family hopefully

financing of water resources

soon.

management? Capacities and knowledge at all levels in all River Basins have been increasing in the recent years but an adequate funding mechanisms for implementing the RBMPs and the PoMs is sorely missing. Albania needs to proceed with the completion and adoption of the remaining RBMPs including transboundary dialogue and consultations. More specifically: the full transposition of EU water legislation into national laws and regulations for all WFD related directives, completing of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) develop an operational national water monitoring system based on accredited reference

WAT E R M A N AG E M E N T

hydropower plants, deforestation in

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In BRIEF

KEMPINSKI FLOATING PALACE TO

their villas by speed boat or arrive

OPEN IN 2023

directly with their own boats. Moreover,

For the first time in Dubai, a luxury

there is also a connected floating helipad

hotel will operate as a floating building

next to a yacht parking deck for up to 16

around which 12 other floating luxury

yachts.

villas are grouped with the possibility

For more, please check at the link below:

to sail to other anchorages at times.

https://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/

Anchored next to one of the most

hotels/kempinski-floating-palace-

exclusive beach stretches in Dubai

open-2023

on Jumeirah Beach Road, guests of

Courtesy of Luxury Travel Advisor

Kempinski Floating Palace are brought to the 156-room-and-suite hotel or

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KIMMEL ESHKOLOT ARCHITECTS CHOSEN FOR THE ALBANIAN JEWISH MUSEUM IN VLORA On December 16, 2021, the Albanian American Development Foundation (AADF) announced the winners of the International Architectural Design Competition for the Albanian Jewish Museum in Vlora. During this process, AADF and Ministry of Culture were assisted by Phase eins, a specialized company in organizing design competitions for architectural projects. All design projects were submitted anonymously and were evaluated by the international Jury composed by: •️ Prof. Rainer Mahlamäki, Architect, Helsinki/Finland (Chair) •️ Prof. Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, Museologist and Researcher, New York/ USA •️ Ms. Dominique Jakob, Architect, Paris/ France •️ Ms. Elva Margariti, Minister, Ministry of Culture, Tirana/Albania •️ Mr. Martin Mata & Mr. Aleksandër Sarapuli, (one vote) Co-CEOs of AADF, Tirana/Albania •️ Ms. Adelina Greca, Architect and

Director General at the National Territorial Planning Agency, Tirana/Albania •️ Prof. Assoc. Dr. Armand Vokshi, Architect and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at Polytechnic University, Tirana/ Albania The Jury Meeting took place in Tirana on December 16th 2021 and the rankings were as follows: 1st Prize: Kimmel Eshkolot Architects, Tel Aviv/Israel 2nd Prize: Winkler + Ruck Architekten, Klagenfurt/Austria 3rd Prize: Wandel Lorch Götze Wach GmbH, Frankfurt/Germany Studio Terragni Architetti, Como/Italy The winning proposal was in line with the museum’s mission to BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. It will be a CULTURAL MAGNET for the area, a SOURCE OF PRIDE for current residents and the Albanian Jewish community. The museum will aim to create an experience that goes beyond its walls. (Courtesy of AADF)

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TOAST THE START OF 2022 AT THE

on December 31 and enjoy welcome

RITZ-CARLTON, DUBAI, JBR

drinks and oysters before heading to

This New Year’s Eve, The Ritz-Carlton,

your reserved venue at 8pm when the

Dubai, JBR is offering up a collection

celebrations can truly begin.

of dining experiences in a posh setting

For more, please check at the link below:

complemented by a gastronomic

https://whatson.ae/2021/12/toast-the-

journey, great views of the Ain Dubai

start-of-2022-at-the-ritz-carlton-dubai-

and Palm Jumeirah plus entertainment.

jbr/

Head to the luxurious hotel at 7pm

Courtesy of https://whatson.ae/

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MELIÁ CREATES INDEPENDENT

include the Maison Colbert Hotel and

LUXURY HOTEL COLLECTION

Villa Marquis, both in Paris; the Serengeti

Meliá Hotels International has

Lodge Hotel in Tanzania; the London’s

unveiled its new collection of hotels

Kensington Hotel; the Desert Palm Hotel

in which their exclusivity, independent

in Dubai and the Hacienda del Conde in

personality and strong local roots

Tenerife.

are some of the main attractions.

For more, please check at the link below:

The Meliá Collection is a portfolio of

https://www.travelagentcentral.

hotels with a distinctive personality

com/hotels/melia-unveils-

owing to their iconic location or the

melia-collection?oly_enc_

traditions and history they represent.

id=4802A7444578G3X

The members of the new collection

Courtesy of Travel Agent Central

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W ALGARVE TO TAKE BRAND INTO

complete with azure views and spacious

PORTUGAL NEXT SPRING

balconies.

W Hotels Worldwide is preparing to make its brand entry in Portugal with

For more, please check the link below:

the launch of W Algarve next spring.

https://www.breakingtravelnews.

Located on Portugal’s most coveted

com/news/article/w-algarve-to-

coastline, the property will offer

take-brand-into-portugal-next-

simultaneous seaside relaxation with

spring/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_

high-energy sophistication.

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Some 50 km from Faro International

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Airport lies a new destination with 134 hotel rooms, suites and 83 residences,

Courtesy of https://www.

breakingtravelnews.com/ 103

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Expo 2020 Dubai prepares for New

For more, please check at the link below:

Year’s Eve celebrations

https://www.breakingtravelnews.

Expo 2020 Dubai is inviting the world

com/news/article/expo-2020-

to ring in 2022 in electrifying style,

dubai-prepares-for-new-years-eve-

with round-the-clock entertainment

celebrations/

featuring a slate of world-class DJs, two stunning fireworks displays and a

Courtesy of Breaking Travel News!

midnight ‘ball drop’ at Al Wasl Plaza. The event will be held against a backdrop of extensive safety measures that will ensure an unforgettable New Year’s Eve.

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JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE H O S P I TA L I T Y

K2c: We Strongly Believe That is the

Right Time to Invest in Albania - OUR GOAL IS TO BECOME THE PREFERRED EUROPEAN THIRDPARTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY -

ARSTEN KENNEWEG

When it comes towards hotel brands,

(Hotelier of the Year 2020),

according to him, k2c has the

Director of Operations &

opportunity to choose from Marriott or

New Openings talks about

Accor portfolio of brands – combining

k2c from A to Z in an

more than 70 great brands.

exclusive interview with TRAILBLAZING

“Being an approved franchisee of

MAGAZINE.

Marriott and Accor, and our one-stop-

“We have been recognized as an

solution for owners/investors, k2c

independent European hotel operator

helps to define the right brand for each

& development company where we

project and combine with our expertise

combine excellent hotel expertise with

to develop, build and operate to

unique digitalization opportunities. Our

achieve the best financial return for the

team has received many awards over

stakeholders,” he said.

the last years for successful operation,

Asked about Albania, Kenneweg said

financial results and openings,”

that “k2c is very honored to partner with

Kenneweg said about k2c founded in

a long-term approach to be part of the

2003.

upcoming new destination in Europe and add value to the people, country, owners & investors.”

He states that what joins k2c Services is the Respect regardless of any business situation.

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together with other successful completed projects has driven the development. This spirit continues to thrive the company always to seek for solution-orientated approaches and considers crosscultural differences in the regions we are doing business. While working in various countries e.g. China, Saudi Arabia or United Kingdom, and with many different nationalities one thing has never Full interview below:

How does it feel to work for k2c services and being also in the forefront of development of k2c? What are its major foundations?

changed, and this is Respect. We might have different backgrounds and knowledge but – and this is also why I joined k2c services – is that the respect is regardless of any business situation. Before we approach with a solution, we want to understand our partner and

When k2c services was founded in 2003

his vision. Then we create tailor-made

as a small-one-man company providing

business solutions and execute while

group reservations for VIP clients it

aligning all the way.

was far away of what the company has become over the years. The major

What are the main services k2c offers?

starting point was when in 2008 we

We have been recognized as an

have been asked to provide professional

independent European hotel operator

consulting services for the owner of

& development company where we

the first five-star-hotel in Turkey (Celik

combine excellent hotel expertise with

Palace Bursa) and with the successful

unique digitalization opportunities. Our

implementation of all our task the

team has received many awards over

success story started. The spirit of the

the last years for successful operation,

start-up by coincidence remains still

financial results and openings.

within the company where over the last

In recent years we have successfully

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H O S P I TA L I T Y

years a great professionalism

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE H O S P I TA L I T Y

great brands. The same applies also in our digitalization pilar where we focus with the award- winning solutions like Mews Systems for the hotel PMS or Invenda in digital vending solutions – both are fully focused on cloudbased solutions and have revolutionized the way how we do business in their respective fields. Furthermore, we offer owners the benefits of scale combined with focused managed and completed various hotel

operating teams for every hospitality

developments, openings, hotel- and

category and being a true innovator in

project management for owners,

the hospitality industry we can make our

investors and brands. Being an approved

work a real success story.

franchisee of Marriott and Accor, and our

Our goal is to become the preferred

one-stop-solution for owners/investors

European third-party management

we help to define the right brand for

company.

each project and combine with our expertise to develop, build and operate

What place does Albania occupy in

to achieve the best financial return for

your plans?

the stakeholders.

Albania is still a hidden gem in the mindset of many travels. Having

Can you mention some of the main

developed itself over the last years and

partners you cooperate with so

with his untouched natural beauty, his

far? What kind of partnership or

amazing beaches, and his unique cultural

collaboration are you looking for in

richness we strongly believe that is

the near future?

the right time to invest in Albania. The

With our experience and knowledge

country is a perfect addition due to the

in the power of the brands we are very

close vicinity within the European Travel

proud to partner with the best in their

Map for adventure, sightseeing and

fields. When it comes towards hotel

beautiful natural highlights.

brands, we have the opportunity to choose from Marriott or Accor portfolio

As we were the first international hotel

of brands – combining more than 70

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fully faced the benefits when the

Bosnia & Hercegovina, we understand

pandemic situation hit the world.

and realized how important it is to have the right partner on the side for the

We could see and understand that the

professional and successful development

requirements of the hotel business have

and operation of the business. We aim to

changed intensively over the last months

be on side of our owners and investors.

and new opportunities have grown up.

Therefore, we are very honored to

The positive trend of travelers in asking

partner with a long-term approach to be

for serviced apartments e.g. Residence

part of the upcoming new destination

Inn by Marriott or Accor’s Adagio is a

in Europe and add value to the people,

very interesting situation as this gives the

country, owners & investors.

guests the freedom and flexibility while traveling and the investors/owners a

In your view, what changes in the

stable occupancy with an return on their

hotel world are most evident in the

investment above the market.

recent period? How are you being adapted as a company to the most

Additionally, we also believe that after all

TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

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