On 24 - 25.06.2021, MRD officials attended the study visit to the offices of the Albanian Development Fund - Shkodra Regional Unit. The welcoming speech was given by Mr. Shpëtim Quku, Director of the “Albanian Development Fund”, who among other things emphasized that the RDF in the course of its work has achieved progress in terms of increasing the competitiveness of the regions by enhancing better use of competitive advantages and development potentials, in the North development region of the Republic of Albania. Also, through an introduction remark, the meeting was greeted by the Director of the Directorate for Planning and Development, Mr. Ridvan Sokoli, municipality of Shkodra, who revealed before us some inter-municipal projects that are taking place in the North regional unit.

The greeting speech from the Kosovo delegation was given by the Head of the Division for European Integration, Mr. Arbnor Sadiku, who among other things emphasized that MRD is in the process of finalizing the document “Deepening and advancing cooperation between MRD and RDAs”, and as a result we have come today to the offices of the Albanian Development Fund - Shkodra Regional Unit, to exchange the experiences of Albania with those of Kosovo, in terms of the functioning of Regional Units and the Albanian Development Fund in the Republic of Albania.

Further, the functioning of the Regional Unit and the Albanian Development Fund in the northern part of Albania was presented to the audience by Mr. Spartak Sokoli - Head of the Regional Unit - North, who emphasized that “The territory of the Republic of Albania is divided into four development regions”, and development regions are the territories for which National Policy for Regional Development and Cohesion are drafted, implemented and evaluated.

The meeting was also attended by Ms. Rreze Duli, Head of RDA - North, as well as other MRD officials: Mr. Butrint Marmullaku and Mr. Xhevat Sefaj.