The UAE and Albania have strengthened their economic partnership with the launch of their inaugural Joint Economic Committee (JEC).
The meeting, held in Tirana, marks a new chapter in bilateral trade and investment relations between UAE and Albania, focusing on priority sectors including renewable energy, logistics, infrastructure, agriculture, food security, and technology.
Dr. Thani bin Ahamed Al-Zeyoudi UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade
“The UAE and Albania enjoy a growing strategic partnership, driven by a shared commitment to fostering economic growth and sustainable development. The launch of the Joint Economic Committee provides a vital platform to turn our shared vision into tangible results. By aligning our priorities in key sectors such as renewable energy, logistics, agriculture, and advanced industries, we are building a foundation for deeper collaboration that benefits both nations.”
Dr. Al Zeyoudi added that, “The UAE, with its advanced infrastructure, global connectivity, and business-friendly policies, has become a gateway to international markets. This presents a unique opportunity for Albanian businesses to expand their reach, tap into new markets, and leverage the UAE’s competitive ecosystem. Equally, we recognize the vast potential that Albania holds for UAE businesses. With its strategic location, dynamic economy, and commitment to regional integration, Albania offers promising prospects for UAE companies to invest and contribute to its development.”
Belinda Balluku, Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, said that, “The convening of the first session of the UAE-Albania Joint Economic Committee reflects our deepening bilateral relations and shared commitment to accelerating joint economic growth.”
Discussions during the meeting centered on advancing joint projects in renewable energy, logistics, infrastructure, and agriculture. The UAE’s Masdar and Albania’s KESH announced plans to collaborate on clean energy projects, targeting up to 3 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity, with an initial 100-megawatt solar plant set to launch soon.
In logistics, both sides committed to exploring opportunities to enhance connectivity, with a focus on strategic transport projects, including the Durres-Pristina railway line, which will streamline trade routes across the Western Balkans.
Efforts to bolster tourism were also a key focus, with plans to increase cross-border travel and investment in hospitality infrastructure.
Upon conclusion of the JEC meeting, Al Zeyoudi and the UAE private sector delegation participated in a networking session with Laura Saro, General Director of the Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA), and the agency’s business community members to further explore potential areas of collaboration to expand and strengthen business ties between the two nations.
