ALBANIA Full country name: Republic of Albania Area: 28,748 sq km Population: 3.6 million Capital City: Tirana People: Albanian 95%, Greeks 3%, other 2%: Vlachs, Gypsies, Serbs, and Bulgarians Language: Albanian, Italian, English Religion: Sunni Muslim (50%), Bektashi Muslim (20%), Albanian Orthodox (20%), Roman Catholic (10%)

ALBANIA Government: Emerging democracy Head of State: President Alfred Moisiu Head of Government: Prime Minister Sali Berisha GDP: US$18.7 billion GDP per capita: US$4,900 Annual Growth: 5.5% Inflation: 2.4% Major Industries: Textile, Tobacco, food, machinery Major Trading Partners: Italy, Canada, Germany, Greece, Turkey Member of EU: No Currency: Lek (121 Lek = 1 Eur)

FREIGHT FORWARDING ACTIVITIES  Mainly trucking from Italy and Greece and some northern European countries  Some container moves directly to Durres port. Most sea traffic is being handled through Italy and/or Greece  Courier service – Dominant integrator is DHL  Air freight forwarding almost non existent  Logistics services in premature phase

FREIGHT FORWARDING ACTIVITIES  Competition: Kuhne & Nagel (Transalbania), DHL, local forwarders concentrating mainly in road transport from Italy, Greece, Turkey and Balkans areas  Air Freight: Tirana Airport (TIA) is served mainly from AZ, TK, OA, MA, JP, OS, LH. All of the above carriers are flying with narrow body aircrafts. Efforts are being made from SBA and LH to establish a RFS to Tirana via Thessaloniki (SKG) airport.  Sea Freight: Durres is the main port. Only CMA CGM is calling Durres presently. MSC and Maersk will probably operate to Durres in the near future.

OBJECTIVES Aim: To develop international mind thinking freight forwarding and to become the first specialized air freight forwarder in the country. Scope: Air, sea, land freight activities at the first stage. Logistics and special cargo activities during second phase. Target: To become the biggest independent local freight forwarder in the market

THINKING POSITIVE…  New market for air and sea freight forwarding  Low competition in air and sea freight forwarding  Fast developing market in terms of business and economy  Cash payments  Low operational costs  Support in terms of business knowledge and finance stability from the mother company in Greece

Thinking Negative…  Insufficient industry knowledge from airport (mainly) and port authorities  Airport itself is acting as the sole Terminal Handling Agent and General Sales Agent for all carriers  Low capacity for inbound and outbound traffic due to aircrafts limited loading capabilities  Lack of experienced personnel in terms of industry knowledge, and sales activities  Corruption

SBA Sh.p.k. Myslym Shyri Str, P.124/2, Sh3, Apt41, Tirana, Albania Main Phone Number : Main Fax Number : Main adrress: Web Site : (under construction) Director: Eng Arben Lapi Mob: +355 Overseas Director: Mr Makis Mavroidis Mob: