“Golden Bee 2014” was the special ceremony held by the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Entrepreneurship to evaluate and award prices for 50 Albanian entrepreneurs. During the ceremony, Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama, held a speech at the ceremony stressing that the relation between the government and businesses has been at its worst but now this relation has improved. He underlined the payment of outstanding debts by the government to businesses, stating that within the end of 2014, Albanian government will pay circa $400ml debts to businesses.
“In the two last decades, our society has despised the figure of a businessman or businesswoman. The relation between the government and businesses has been overshadowed by fines and clientelism, a tough and primitive relation that even media failed to change. We are here to give a strong message to entrepreneurs, a message of respect and change. The failure of entrepreneurs’ trust to the state is a big problem that we should face and solve together,” declared Rama.
In turn, the Minister of Economic Development, Arben Ahmetaj, declared that “the current government has already paid more than $300ml outstanding debts to businesses and has established the National Council as a connecting bridge between the government and businesses, which is working successfully. 2015 will be the year against informality and free competition. Our aim is the increase of production and Albanian exports, mainly in the agriculture sector,” said Ahmetaj.
The Minister added that entrepreneurship is seen as a national asset and the Albanian economy needs to develop faster. “Golden Bee” or also known as “Entrepreneur of the year” started in 2013 as a novelty in government-businesses relation in Albania. During the activity were evaluated many successful entrepreneurs, volunteers, talented people, ect.
News source/photo credits: ATA
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