Albania approves 23.5 mln USD fund for agriculture in 2018

TIRANA, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian government approved an agricultural financing scheme worth 20 million euros (23.5 million U.S. dollars) for next year to turn agriculture into the country's main engine of growth, Albanian Agriculture Minister Niko Peleshi told reporters Tuesday.

The national funding scheme will mainly focus on developing agricultural, livestock and food exports,correcting imports and attaining food safety standards,the minister said.

Peleshi said the scheme was the largest ever fund for Albanian agriculture.

According to him, such financial support would pave the way to boost production and exports of fruits, vegetables and nuts, as well as food and agro-processing industry products in 2018.

Peleshi announced the fund at a conference on agriculture and "Made in Albania" products.

The minister noted that the government approved such fund with the aim of increasing competition, food safety, and encouraging farmers to diversify farming activities to develop new sources of income. Enditem