USAID Albania and CBS launch Brand Albania

USAID and the Creative Business Solutions (CBS) launched Wednesday the Brand Albania project to support agribusiness and tourism development in Albania. In their remarks at the presentation event, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Niko Peleshi, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Blendi Klosi, and USAID/Albania Country Representative, Catherine Johnson, put emphasis on the project's importance and role of agriculture and tourism in the development of the Albanian economy. The project will create a national marketing and labeling of unique and truly autochthonous agricultural products and their integration into tourism development initiatives. Seven public and private institutions will coordinate and work together on implementation of the Brand Albania project. The main stakeholders in the project's Steering Committee include the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the Albanian-American Development Fund, the Albanian Tourism Association, the General Directorate of Industrial Property and the Agricultural University of Tirana. USAID/Albania Country Representative, Dr. Catherine Johnson, said that project will promote the true values of Albania's autochthonous agricultural products in the international markets. The project will also help in the development of agro-tourism in Albania. "We want to show how much the European Union and the international markets are demanding traditional products that are certified for their quality and standards. It is precisely this project that will highlight these qualities to promote authentic Albanian products at home and abroad. We know very well how important agriculture is in Albania and of course its products. Identification of autochthonous and high-quality products will also create a positive image of the Albanian products," she said in her remarks. This is a unique project that combines agriculture and tourism, two sectors that USAID has long been strongly supporting and we are convinced of their great potential," Johnson said. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Niko Peleshi, described the project as an exceptional opportunity for the Albanian agro-tourism. Peleshi noted that the project will put the stamp of identity on standardized and branded products not only to domestic market and the supermarket chains, but also to new markets.

Source : Albanian Daily News