A feasibility study for the Tirana Exhibition Center, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and conducted by the University of Verona in collaboration with Verona Fiere and the Albanian Investment Corporation (AIC), was recently presented to a broad audience. The study outlines the macroeconomic context, business model, financial plan, management and operational strategy, and offers recommendations for launching EXPO Albania.
EXPO Albania is set to become a key exhibition venue in the Balkans, strategically designed to foster trade, promote international partnerships, and drive sustainable development. Located 7 kilometers from downtown Tirana and near the international airport, the facility will cover a 17,000-square-meter area with exhibition halls, conference rooms, and event spaces. Planned events range from major industrial shows and agricultural fairs to business conferences and festivals, positioning EXPO Albania as a central hub for Albania’s crucial sectors, including tourism, energy, and agriculture.
The presentation event was attended by Albanian business leaders, three Albanian ministers, a representative from the Italian Embassy in Albania, and Verona Fiere consultants. AICS Tirana Director Stefania Vizzaccaro emphasized that the Italian Cooperation has supported Albanian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for over two decades, offering technical assistance, training, and funding in sectors such as agribusiness, tourism, culture, and the environment. “We firmly believe that economic development can and must be sustainable, both in production and consumption, with social inclusion and the protection of vulnerable populations as essential components,” said Vizzaccaro. She also noted that engaging the private sector is a key new element in strengthening Italy’s development cooperation strategy.
