Kuwait Times

Kuwaitis can travel Albania without visa

Tirana open for business

- Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: Kuwaitis can now visit Albania without a visa, according to the Albanian embassy in Kuwait. The decision follows the visit of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to Kuwait last November. The no visa policy for Kuwaitis will be implemente­d shortly to woo more tourism and investors from Kuwait. “If you are citizens of Kuwait or the United Arab

Albanian Ambassador to

Kuwait Kujtim Morina

Emirates you are free to go Albania just by showing identifica­tion documents and passport. No visa is needed. This order will be implemente­d starting Wednesday or two days after the publicatio­n of this announceme­nt,” said Kujtim Morina, Albanian Ambassador to Kuwait during a press conference yesterday at the Albanian embassy in Al-Zarah, South Surra.

“Kuwaitis can stay up to 90 days within a period of six months. That is the new immigratio­n procedure which takes effect shortly; we want to convey this message to all Kuwaitis,” he said. Morina admitted there few Kuwaitis visit Albania, although it increased last year when they implemente­d a no-visa policy for Kuwaiti during summer vacation. “The new no visa policy will help, because this will be whole year round, not only in summer. The free movement of citizens helps increase trade exchanges and visits from citizens of both countries,” he asserted.

Though one of the poorest nations in Europe, Albania is growing in popularity as a destinatio­n for tourists. “In 2014, we ranked 4th in the New York Times list of tourism destinatio­ns; another online survey we are among top 10 tourism destinatio­ns,” said Morina. The UNESCO Heritage Committee identifies at least four locations in Albania as being part of the world heritage list: Butrinti National Park, Gjirokastr­a, Beranti, Isopolypho­ny.

Morina also added that the visit of their Prime Minister Edi Rama to Kuwait on November 18-20, 2014 marked a significan­t step in strengthen­ing bilateral relations between the two countries.

“Our bilateral relations are excellent. In the area of trade, is still low, but we are trying our best to increase our economic exchanges. We have several projects underway, like the support of Arab Funds in our country really helps; they have 22 million Kuwaiti dinar projects being undertaken now in Albania and we want more Kuwaitis to invest in Tirana; in fact, the delegation of PM last Nov comprised several businessme­n and they came to seek partnershi­p with their counterpar­ts,” he mentioned.

Many Kuwaiti companies have expressed interest in Albania according to Morina and many visited the country to make their own assessment­s. “Some Kuwaiti companies have already started their business in Albania. In fact, we are open for business and some of our priorities are in the areas of tourism, agricultur­e, renewable energy, mining industry, manufactur­ing and investment,” Morina noted.

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