TIRANA, Oct 8 /ATA/ Foreign direct investments, one of the main sources of financing the economy and job creation, continued to grow during the first six months of this year.

Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhja announced that the data show a stable and significant growth.

“The flow of foreign investments has recorded continuous growth in recent years, reaching around 14.376 million euros at the end of the 6- month period, the highest level recorded in recent years. While for the 6- month period of this year, foreign investments reached 749 million euros”, said the minister.

These investments, according to him, have been recorded in strategic sectors such as real estate activities, which account for 24.1% of the total flow.

“Other economic sectors with a high contribution to FDI, Gonxhja added, are the financial and insurance activities sector at 16.8%, as well as the extractive industry, processing, manufacturing, and electricity, gas, and water supply.”

“The minister reported that the flow of foreign investments in the country has been dominated by Turkey, which has contributed 19.5% to the total flow, followed by Italy and the Netherlands, which contributed 12.4% and 8.1% respectively, and then France and Austria with 7% and 6.6% respectively.”

“Through these investments, new jobs have been created, technological standards have increased, and production capacities have improved. Albania aims to continue enhancing the business environment to attract new investments and establish itself as an economic hub in the region,” Minister Gonxhja stated.

“The flow of foreign investments has seen continuous growth in recent years, reaching around 1.5 billion euros last year, the highest level recorded in recent years. Meanwhile, by the end of the first half of this year, foreign investments reached 750 million euros.”