The International Trade Fair in Tirana – an opportunity for 22 Serbian companies

In Tirana, the International Trade Fair is taking place, where, over three days, 22 companies from Serbia are presenting themselves at the national booth.

The foreign trade exchange between Serbia and Albania in the first nine months of this year amounted to 230.9 million euros, which is 24 million euros more compared to the same period last year. Therefore, the participation of Serbian businesses in such events is of exceptional importance, Kosovo Online interlocutors say.

According to the data from the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, which, along with the Development Agency of Serbia, organized the participation of entrepreneurs in Tirana this year, Serbia's exports to Albania in the first nine months of this year were valued at 179.1 million euros, an increase of 21.2 million compared to the same period in 2022. Imports from Albania to Serbia remained approximately the same as the previous year, at 51.8 million euros.

The increase in the value of exports, for the first nine months of this year, along with a slightly changed value of imports, contributed to recording a trade surplus with Albania, which increased to 127.3 million euros.

Trade between Serbia and Albania is increasing year by year, and over the past 10 years, it has grown more than three and a half times. Serbia mainly imports agricultural products from Albania, such as salt, steel, and coal, while its major exports to Albania include wheat, corn, potatoes, non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

The Executive Director of the largest distribution company in Serbia and the region, Nelt, which has been operating in Albania for six years, Alban Ujkashej, says for Kosovo Online that, despite Albania being a 'country of brands', there is indeed space for Serbian products in Albanian stores.

"We regularly participate in this fair, which is a stimulus for the entire Albanian market and all participants. It is very significant for the economy of Albania, and the results show that thanks to it, companies in the region have significantly expanded their operations", Ujkashej said."

"Nelt has been present in Albania since 2018. Our business primarily focuses on distribution but also includes domestic products, such as Nutrino Lab and Neoplanta.

"We collaborate with international companies such as Jacobs, Beiersdorf, and Mondelez. In Albania, we have around 200 employees, and we are positioned among the leading companies in this market. Our plan is to expand our business, not only in distribution but also in logistics", Ujkashej emphasized.

He adds that regional events do not impact their business.

"Collaboration at all levels is satisfactory, and in four years, we have doubled our business and are equally represented, just like other companies in the Albanian market", Ujkashej said to Kosovo Online.

Albania and Serbia cooperate in the fields of agriculture, food industry, plastics, metals, textiles, and recently, the furniture industry.

The Serbian furniture manufacturing company "Simpo" is also presenting itself in Tirana.

"After a one-year break, 'Simpo' is once again present at the fair in Tirana, with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. What sets this year apart from previous ones, when we showcased regular items from our assortment, is that this year we decided to exhibit a hotel room. The reason for this is that at the beginning of the year, we initiated furnishing projects throughout Albania. Some of these projects include the Tirana International Hotel, which is completing the construction of its new block with 300 rooms. We submitted tender documentation for furnishing and made it to the shortlist", Simpo's Sales Manager, Filip Stojiljkovic, stated to Kosovo Online.

He hopes that work on furnishing the hotel will start soon.

He adds that, during the fair, the team that set up the booth is currently in the town of Lezhe, not far from Shkodra, assembling an exemplary room in one of the hotels.

The Trade Fair held every December in Tirana is the most significant trade fair event in Albania in terms of the number of exhibitors and visitors.

This year, it brought together exhibitors from more than 15 countries.