A delegation of the Government of Azerbaijan chaired by Mr. Abbas Abbassov, first Prime Minister of the country visited Albania from October 3-6, 2004. The purpose of this visit was to exchange views and gain first-hand experience in the area of rural microcredit. This project has been rated as one of the best projects not only in the Bank’s portfolio for Albania, but also for the region (ECA). This project has had a tangible impact in the development of agriculture with regard to increased agricultural activities, increased employment, and higher income for the credited farmers.  | The delegation focused mainly on field trips in the rural areas of Tirana, Elbasan, Fier and Lushnja. The delegation met with beneficiaries, members of the Credit-Savings Associations, and representatives of the board of the Credit Savings Union. During the field trips, the delegation saw first-hand the activities of the borrowers such as: winery and wine-processing, green houses, handicraft, livestock, and other services. The delegation members were briefed and saw for themselves the steps in the development of crediting and in particular the mobilization |
of the farmers’ savings, especially after the winding-down of the fund-raisers. They admired the selection of local people working in the credit savings association committees. The delegation took interest in the qualification and training modules used in Albania in the context of this project. The delegation met with experts of the Supervision Department in the Bank of Albania. Prudential rules and regulations and manuals of supervision of SCA supervision were shared with the Azeri delegation. Also, the delegation was received by the Albanian Deputy Prime Minister, Namik Dokle, and met with the Deputy Minister of Finance, Adriana Berberi, and the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania, Fatos Brahimi. In these meetings, the Albanian side commended the plausible achievements in the context of rural microcredit project, while view were exchanged on the period of transition, and more possibilities and opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the future in areas of shared interest. During these visits the Azeri delegation was accompanied by the Executive Director of Rural Finance Fund |  |
Ms. Zana Konini and World Bank Senior Project Officer Mr. Ibrahim Hackaj. This is the second time Albania exchanges its best experience in projects financed by the World Bank, with countries in transition. Some time ago, a Macedonian delegation visited Albania to gain experience form the achievements of the Irrigation and Drainage projects. |
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