La Chamber of Commerce di Bari hosted a today high-level meeting which saw the participation of a Albanian government delegationee of twenty Apulian companies, with the aim of starting a strategic collaboration in the infrastructure and transport sector. The meeting, promoted by Unioncamere Puglia and Uniontrasporti, is part of a framework of growth in economic relations between Italy and Albania, consolidating a partnership that has already shown significant results.
The companies that participated in the meeting were selected based on specific quality criteria, including a minimum turnover differentiated for each sector.
Italy-Albania Cooperation for Infrastructure Development
The meeting took place in the light of the abilateral agreements signed between the two countries, which laid the foundation for an intense cooperation program in the infrastructure sector. In particular, Albania is launching a major plan for strengthening their networks road, rail and maritime, as well as focusing on the digitalisation of infrastructures and processes. Italy, and in particular the Puglia, is proposed as privileged partner to offer technical expertise, innovative solutions and supplies essential for the success of these projects.
The Albanian delegation was led by the Deputy Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Enkelejda Muçaj, who underlined the importance of collaborations such as the one underway for the modernization of the Albanian infrastructure system. “The strengthening project concerns not only the internal infrastructure, but also the connections with neighboring countries. Today we saw the enormous potential that Puglia has to offer in this area,” Muçaj said.
Growing economic exchange
In 2024, thecommercial interchange between Italy and Albania has exceeded 3,3 billion euros, with a fundamental role of Lombardy and Puglia. The latter has recorded a exchange of over 500 million euros, consolidating itself as one of the main economic drivers for bilateral relations. Puglia, with its strong infrastructure and technology sector, has a privileged position to play a leading role in strengthening economic and trade ties between the two countries.
Focus on logistics, transport and ICT
During the meeting, the following were discussed in depth: strategic issues such as logistics, freight transport and information technology. Puglia, with its leading companies in the logistics and transport sectors, has shown its ability to support Albania in the modernization of infrastructure and the development of digital connectivity. The meeting has therefore offered Apulian companies the opportunity to present their know-how and to evaluate potential collaborations with the Albanian government, which has expressed strong interest in the adoption of Italian solutions in these areas.
“We want to improve freight flows and promote greater collaboration in the sectors of logistics, transport and ICT,” he said. Luciana of Bisceglie, President of Unioncamere Puglia. “Our goal is to create the conditions for lasting cooperation that benefits both economies.”
In addition to the infrastructural issues, the strategic issue of energy interconnection between Italy and Albania, especially in the context of the agreements signed between the two countries and the United Arab Emirates. The improvement of energy connections across the Adriatic is part of a cooperation framework that also includes the energy and sustainability sectors.
