7 December 2021
On December 7, 2021, Cooperation Development Institute (CDI) organized the last B2B (business-to-business) meeting session on “Financing mechanism facility and businesses benefiting in energy efficiency in Albania” in the framework of the INTERREG IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro programme funded project ENEA – Energy Efficiency living lab – implemented by CDI Albania in cooperation with CE.F.A.S (Italy) and Expeditio (Montenegro).
This session aimed to present the primary sources of retail finance in Albania from the donor and commercial banks perspective and the facilities for businesses operating in the field of enery efficiency in Albania.
The presentations delivered aimed to provide concrete examples of the support mechanisms for the beneficiaries. The existence of these financing menchanisms facilities help to save the energy, increase the value of productivity, and reach the energy target in sustainability and better protection of the environment, by meeting so also the European standards for candidate countries such as Albania.
The meeting took place at the premises of Tirana Business University (TBU), and it hosted a large number of different stakeholders, mainly from the business sector, but as well as experts of the field, academics, students etc.
The meeting was initially greetedby Mr. Artan Hoxha, General Administrator TBU, who confirmed the priority of his institution’s approach in supporting these activities as a priority in the institution’s approach to cooperate with all business actors, and Ms.Inva Nela, Project Manager, CDI/ENEA Project Coordinator, who presented the key programme working areas of CDI and the main objectives of “ENEA” project.
The core of activity was based on the discussions of representatives of leading programs and companies in the sector, such as Ms. Alma Lulja and Mr. Arben Gazheli, from Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF), who presented the prestigious programme supported by EBRD and other donors in the WB in the field of energy efficiency.
Furthermore, Ms. Donatela Spahija and Mr. Maurizio Carito (CEO) from Infinity Power, brought a detailed presentation reflecting many investments developed by their company and the support from the strong partnership with GEFF. Likewise, Mr.Erjon Lusha, CEO Daikin, brought the main profile of his company and a direct testimony of the partnership with the GEFF.
Based on the group’s long and extensive experience, and direct involvement in the sector, Ms. Fatjona Selimaj, from ProCredit Bank presented for the attendees’ the multiple financial instruments in the green field available and the attention that is given by ProCredit Bank to the social and environmental aspects. Similarly, Mr. Avenir Lleshanaku, from BKT, complemented the framework, especially from the point of view of a financial institution in the evaluation the sustainable investments, with a presentation on the opportunities as well as the interest offered from alternative renewable sources, in particular the photovoltaic.
In conclusion, Mr. Lorenc Gordani, lecturer and advisor on energy issues, further specified the several credit lines and financing products offered by commercial banks and financial institutions to support the deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy in Albania.
The presentations opened an extensive discussion with the business community and reflected the business’s problems with interest in their work in this sector. In addition, the meeting was also attended by the Italian and Montenegrin partners.
The working language of this workshop was Albanian and English.
The agenda of the event can be found here. In addition, all presentations can further be consulted here.
