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The Albanian city that the pandemic hit the most economically

The Albanian city that the pandemic hit the most economically

The capital of the North of the country, Shkodra seems to have been most affected by the coronavirus pandemic crisis.

While across the country, the number of businesses last year increased by 2.5% (including agriculture), in Shkodra 214 businesses were closed, the largest number nationwide, reported INSTAT.

Of the 61 municipalities in the country, in 6 municipalities the total number of businesses decreased, while in 54 others it increased and in only one municipality, that of Dropulli, the same number of businesses was reported as in 2019.

As can be seen from the data, large municipalities have coped well with the pandemic crisis, except in Shkodra. For example, the Municipality of Tirana expanded with 491 new businesses with an increase of 1.1% of the business stock. Even in the Municipality of Durrës, which suffered double shocks from the earthquake of November 26, 2019 and the pandemic crisis, 42 new businesses were opened last year. 96 new businesses were opened in Korça, 147 in Elbasan, 86 in Vlora.

Only Shkodra and a few small municipalities in the North experienced a decline in the stock of active businesses. The largest decrease in percentage was in the Municipality of Klos, where 10.5% of businesses were closed in 2020, in Fushë-Arrës by 10%, and Skrapar by 4.7% and Shkodër by 3.2%.

On the other hand, the largest increase in the number of businesses was seen in Tirana (+491), Lushnjë (+467), Berat (+212), Divjakë (+204) and Maliq (+189).

Shkodra, which owns numerous natural and cultural resources, has the most negative performance from the 12 counties, in terms of unemployment, business climate and high emigration during 2020 but also during the last decade.

From the census of 2011, until the middle of 2019, the population of Shkodra Region shrank by 16.7% from emigration, ranking it first in terms of the large number of citizens leaving the country. Recent floods and higher exposure to natural disasters have further damaged the city.

The Mayor, Voltana Ademi, previously told "Monitor" that the deterioration of economic and demographic indicators in Shkodra is coming from the high activity of organized crime. Many businesses in the city are forced to pay hefty fines against criminal organizations, in addition to taxes to the government. This situation, according to her, has aggravated normal living in a city that inherits history and culture, so many citizens choose to leave.

In the last 10 years, inequality between counties and regions has deepened. It takes the North 15 years to reach the level that the center region has today. Experts advise creating value-added jobs for young people.

* Received from Monitor.al