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USAID and Embassy of Sweden Announce Call for Proposals for Albania's Tourism Sector

Albanian traditional dancers
Over the next five years, USAID and Sida will invest USD 6 million, to be matched with USD 3 million of funds from ‎winning projects.
Elton Baxhaku

For Immediate Release

Thursday, October 8, 2015
Stephanie A. Pepi
+355 4 224 3384

TIRANA, OCTOBER 8, 2015 - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in Albania, is seeking concept papers to implement activities to promote sustainable tourism in Albania. The purpose of the activities is to contribute to improvements in Albania’s tourism sector, including improvements to the country’s business enabling environment and workforce capacities, to serve as catalysts for job creation and economic growth. Over the next five years, USAID and Sida will invest USD 6 million, to be matched with USD 3 million of funds from ‎winning projects.

USAID Country Representative, Marcus A. Johnson; Head of Development Cooperation for Sweden, Birgitta Jansson; and Minister of Economy, Trade, and Tourism, Arben Ahmetaj, delivered remarks today at a ceremony to launch the Annual Program Statement, a call for concept papers and ideas.

“I see this call for grant proposals as a contest of ideas,” said USAID’s Country Representative, Marcus Johnson. “We are looking for the very best innovative ideas to tap Albania’s huge touristic potential. We look forward to receiving ideas from across Albania that will create jobs, spur local economic development, improve the enabling and regulatory environment for tourism, and increase agro-tourism.”

Albania’s government has prioritized job creation and adding value in key sectors including tourism and agriculture. The direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in 2013 was 4.8% of GDP while the total contribution (including wider effects from investment and the supply chain) was about 17% according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. It is expected that the contribution to GDP from this sector will increase in coming years.

Further information on the Annual Program Statement can be found at http://www.grants.gov and http://www.usaid.gov/albania/partnership-opportunities

Last updated: December 22, 2016

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