Premier Pledges to Make Albania “Key Exporter of Energy”

Text of report in English by Albanian state news agency ATA

[Report by Maela Marini: "Berisha: Government Developing Ambitious Projects on Energy"]

Tirana, 9 May (ATA) — Prime Minister Sali Berisha said during a meeting with students at University Campus on Thursday [9 May] that “the government has developed ambitious projects on energy sector to turn Albania into a key exporter of energy”.

According to the Premier “energy potentials of our country are enormous. Even though Albania’s rivers are not big and navigable, they represent great opportunities for construction of hydropower plants”. “Hydropower plants with a capacity of 20 billion kilowatt will be constructed. Meanwhile, Albania is rich in minerals such as chrome, nickel, steel and other mineral resources. I am not here to promise that Albania will become a paradise, but to express my deepest conviction that its good people and citizens will make Albania rich, beautiful and clean.” Premier Berisha said.

According to him, biggest reforms have been carried out and “the government is changing the country’s face as we are changing the road infrastructure”.

“The government I head is investing in Albania’s roads infrastructure this year about USD 1.2 billion, or lek 89 billion, against lek 11 billion invested in the best year of previous governments,” he said.

According to him, “the government is greatly investing to improve environment, to make Albania an environmentally clean country”.

Originally published by ATA, Tirana, in English 0841 9 May 08.

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