A representative office in the Albanian capital of Tirana is to help Bavarian companies find skilled workers. The office of the Association of Bavarian Business should form a “bridgehead between Albania and Bavaria on an equal footing”, explained VBW President Wolfram Hatz on Wednesday at the opening. According to the association, the representation serves three purposes: trade and the strengthening of Bavarian investments in Albania, the promotion of education and training and the offer of “employment prospects” for Albanian skilled workers in Bavaria.
The increasing shortage of staff is a problem for many Bavarian companies. According to the forecasts of the leading economic research institutes, a lack of workers is one of the main reasons for the expected weak growth of the German economy in the coming years.
The CSU balked at an immigration law for decades, but has changed course in recent years. In February, Prime Minister Markus Söder traveled to Albania and Romania and campaigned for skilled workers in both countries. The new agency is funded by the VBW and supported by the state government.
However, Albania has been suffering from emigration for years. A preferred destination for many young Albanians is Italy, but around 10,000 citizens of the Balkan state also live in Bavaria, as Prime Minister Edi Rama said during Söder’s visit in February. Both the state government and the Bavarian economy therefore emphasize that the economic relations should benefit both sides. “We want to promote trade, strengthen economic policy exchange and support Bavarian companies investing in Albania,” explained Hatz.