TIRANA, Dec 12 /ATA/ The vegetable sponge produced in the fields of Berat is the newest product that is gaining ground in the European market under the “Made in Albania” brand.

The cultivation of natural sponge, a substitute for synthetic sponges, has been made possible through the initiative of engineer Rakip Belishaku from Kuçi, Berat.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama turned the spotlight on this new venture, praising hardworking individuals like engineer Rakip Belishaku, who returned to his hometown and invested in the cultivation of natural sponge, an eco-friendly product that replaces synthetic sponges.

Rama stated, “Thanks to his collaboration with a German company, this product, marketed under the ‘Rinora’ brand, is gaining traction in the European market with the ‘Made in Albania’ label.”

The vegetable sponge is produced in Albania from a rare Asian plant and is regarded as an eco-friendly and nature-conscious product.

The vegetable sponge is made from the luffa plant, which comes from Asia. Resembling a pumpkin, its fresh fruit can be used in cooking, while once dried, it develops a fiber that functions as a natural sponge.