TIRANA, JUNE 25, 2010     Entrepreneurs and representatives of five banking and non-banking institutions met today in Tirana to share information on financial resources available for businesses to invest in new technologies and expand their operations. The event, supported by USAID’s Rritje Albania program and Regional Development Agencies (RDA), is the final of a series on business roundtables held over the past three months in Elbasan, Gjirokaster, Kukes, Pogradec and Vlora to raise awareness in Albania’s business community about new financing opportunities.

“The financial resources available to Albanian businesses include not only the traditional loans and credit lines from banking institutions and their partners, but also leasing and equity participation, a new tool currently under-utilized to its full potential by Albanian entrepreneurs,” said Rritje Albania’s Trade and Investment Advisor, Dr. Anila Kaba-Bashllari.

These resources can be used by businesses to invest in new and improved technologies and other assets that support business expansion and competitiveness in national and international markets.

USAID’s new program offers technical assistance tailored to business needs.  In the coming months, Rritje Albania will organize regional Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings and trade fairs.  USAID will also be launching the “Authentic Albania Quality Mark” program to support businesses in the tourism industry.  Entrepreneurs interested in receiving technical assistance from Rritje Albania can contact the project at: info@rritjealbania.com.

About Rritje Albania:  Rritje Albania, USAID’s Competitive Enterprise Development project, advances sustained, broad-based economic growth in Albania by expanding trade and investment, increasing enterprise productivity, and improving Albania’s workforce.  The project assists non-agricultural enterprises in becoming more competitive, increasing sales, and creating additional jobs.

About the RDA Network: The Regional Development Agency network is a group of 6 local business service providers that promote social and economic development initiatives in Albania. RDAs provide professional training, counseling, technical support and disseminate information with its partners across a variety of sectors.  RDAs also operate as regional resource centers, facilitating the exchange of information among its network of partners and providing local level support to communities. For more information on the RDA network, contact Ilir Rembeci (ilirrda@albmail.com)