World Bank managing director visits Albania

To stay ahead in an increasingly integrated world, Albania will require a more sophisticated strategy to create the foundation for long-term competitiveness and sustainability, World Bank managing director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said on January 11 2011 at the close of a three-day visit.

"Some key elements of this strategy would be further reforms in education, skills creation, information and communications technologies, and the energy sector. It is also important to improve the enabling environment for businesses, including secure land property rights and the effective implementation and transparent enforcement of existing laws and regulations," Okonjo-Iweala said.

The visit was part of her first trip to some Western Balkans countries.

The aim of the visit was to emphasise the importance of Albania’s new Growth Agenda as well as reiterate the Bank’s support to the government under the new Country Partnership Strategy, the World Bank said.

In addition, Okonjo-Iweala expressed the Bank’s solidarity with people affected by the recent massive floods in Shkodra area, and discussed possibilities for additional support to mitigate the risks of future floods.

Okonjo-Iweala met prime minister Sali Berisha, key members of the government, the governor of the Bank of Albania Ardian Fullani, leader of the opposition Edi Rama, and representatives of civil society, and private sector.

The discussions during these meetings were centered on the progress in the implementation of the new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and the challenges that Albania faces to resume high rates of growth in the post-crisis world, the World Bank statement said....

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