During midweek a body of delegates of the Albanian state, led by the Prime Minister Mr. Edi Rama conducted a two-day official visit in the State of Kuwait.
On the course of the visit Mr. Edi Rama met with the Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and other leaders of the State of Kuwait.

The meeting was very fruitful and extremely important to enhance the relations between the two countries. In the process, several agreements were signed in different fields such as in economic cooperation, sustainable development, healthcare and in removing visa restrictions.
Among the Albanian delegation in this important visit were also a body of representatives of the Albania - Kuwait Friendship Association, which was led by its Chairman Dritan Pashako, the Head of the Body of Directors Mr. Renis Tershana and the Secretary-General of the association Mr. Ervis Xhelo.
The delegation also included a group of investors and entrepreneurs, which enjoy a great reputation in Albania. As far as the Albania-Kuwait Friendship Association and the Albanian entrepreneurs were concerned, the peak of the visit was materialized in the introductory meeting which they held with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuwait.

The Secretary General Mr. Xhelo in his speech at the meeting stressed the importance of the establishment of this association, enumerated the target areas of cooperation and highlighted the prospects for the future of relations between the two friendly nations. As pointing out that these amicable relations originated around half a century ago, Mr. Xhelo was hopeful that they will continue towards further strengthening in the future.
In his speech, Mr. Xhelo expressed his gratitude to the warm hospitality that the highest leadership of Kuwait showed towards the Albanian delegation.
"In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Peace and blessings of God be upon you!
Dear gentlemen, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuwait, it is my pleasure to express my highest appreciation of the warm and fraternal hospitality that you have offered us. This is what our delegation has experienced at first hand throughout this visit to the State of Kuwait. In fact hospitality and generosity are not new traits to the Emir of Kuwait, the Kuwaiti government or Kuwait people themselves".

- Furthermore, Mr. Xhelo talked briefly about the historical relations between the two nations:

"Albanian-Kuwaiti relations date back many years ago, more precisely almost over half a century ago, and they are characterized by mutual respect and constructive cooperation. In this context, clear evidence of these relationships comes from the unshakable support that Albania showed in defending the right of the Kuwaiti people during the outrageous invasion which your country suffered in the early nineties of the last century. Next, these fraternal relations took on a new stage of development and consolidation following the collapse of the communist system in our country, especially in 1993. This period is noted for the growing number of development projects carried out by the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development. These projects are evident even today. In fact, your government has not stopped supporting our country on key issues that we have encountered. In this context it is worth highlighting the recognition of Kosovo's independence. This brave and just decision of the State of Kuwait had a very positive impact on the Albanian community, and also influenced neighbouring countries and more to recognize the independence of Kosovo.
Another factor in helping with the vital goal of further enhancing the relations between the two peoples, was introduced by Mr. Xhelo with the forming of Albania - Kuwait Friendship Association. Members and partners of this association are Albanian and Kuwaiti businessmen and intellectuals. It was noted that this non-political and non-profit entity aims at facilitating tangible bilateral cooperation and increase bilateral investments in all areas, respecting during the process the laws of both countries.

"Given the desire to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in all areas, we have taken the initiative of establishing Albania-Kuwait Friendship Association, with the goal of making it the cornerstone to the crucial process of translating these cordial relations and friendship in visible achievements that would satisfy both sides. Albania - Kuwait Friendship Association represents the first structure in the Albanian-Kuwaiti relations that has non-political and non-profit objectives. The activity of our association is focused on providing a favorable environment for strengthening relations between Albania and Kuwait in all fields, especially in the economic field ".

- During this cordial meeting the President of Albania-Kuwait Friendship Association Mr. Pashako, highlighted the endless opportunities that Albania, as a developing country, offers for investment, and its need for logistical and financial support, which come with mutual benefits for both countries.
"Albania offers various areas of cooperation ranging from agriculture, industry, extraction and processing of minerals, energy and tourism.  Albania also is very favourable to a fruitful cooperation in economy. Albanian climate can accommodate the planting and cultivation of fruits, citrus and aromatic medicinal herbs. Albania is a lively place where you can breed and cultivate cattle.
Albania has great riches above ground and underground. A very important collaboration could be on the extraction and processing of oil. Also, of great importance may be the extraction and processing of numerous underground minerals (chromium, bitumen, nickel, etc.).
Cooperation in the field of energy and environment is also very important. In Albania there are numerous sources and major opportunities in the production of clean energy (hydropower).
In Albania it can be invested in setting up small businesses and medium sized organizations or even huge firms considering that the labor force does not have high cost expenditure. Investors should also make use of tax related facilitations that the government has introduced for businesses which conduct their operations in Albania and have regular contracts with their clerks.
Albania is a country where the historical, the mountainous and the coastal aspects of tourism are combined perfectly. In this regard doors have been opened not only to welcoming tourists from all over the world but also to serious investments that may turn Albania into a place which cannot be missed.
In this framework, Albania needs to develop a clear vision as well as devise medium term projects and long-term ones. Albania has need for investments that come with mutual benefits as well as for a sincere cooperation. Drawing courage from the fact that a friend state smaller than Albania has witnessed such enormous developments in every field of life, we think that we can find here a worthy partner for a comprehensive cooperation.”
- Furthermore, Mr. Xhelo listed some of the main areas of cooperation as well as the main goals that Albania - Kuwait Friendship Association wants to promote and achieve.
"Our presence here today with a group of entrepreneurs from different sectors in Albania is convincing proof of the success of our joint initiative. Following I’ll be mentioning briefly some of the areas of activities of the Albania-Kuwait Friendship Association:
- Promoting Albania’s tourism resources, agriculture, agro-tourism, project ideas, business-plans related to certain areas of investment etc.
- Promoting Kuwaiti investments in Albania.
- Planning and organizing various exhibitions in Albania and Kuwait for promoting products and businesses of both countries, as well as for stimulating mutual tourism.
- Facilitating and providing information in order to identify the places and opportunities for cooperation and mutual investment.- Exchanging experiences between Kuwaiti and Albanian institutions and holding training programs in various fields such as agriculture, education, tourism etc.
- Creating a fund to help small Albanian businesses through various financial grants.
- Lobbying in both states of Albanian and Kuwait for investments with mutual benefits".

- At the end of his speech, Mr. Xhelo assured that this society will be an ever-increasing catalyst and worthy partner for materializing all bilateral cooperation based on the intellectual and human potential that the society has at its service. According to Mr. Xhelo this is an opportunity to join the association as a worthy and valuable partner.

“I want to inform you that Albania-Kuwait Friendship Association guarantees the taking of right and successful decisions for all those who are serious in investing in Albania, because we have a group of consultants and experts with long experience in market valuation, investment , real estate and legal and financial monitoring. I take advantage of this opportunity to invite you to join our common society and contribute to the realization of its objectives ".