The Fifth Diaspora Women’s Summit will gather key leaders and representatives in Tirana on October 11th, marking an important moment in empowering women and promoting Albania’s integration into the European Union. This two-day event will offer a valuable platform for in-depth discussions on the role of women in business, innovation, and digitalization, as well as the opportunities and challenges they face. From various panels to business visits and personalized meetings, the Summit promises to bring new initiatives and innovations for successful collaboration between the diaspora and Albania. We conducted an interview with the Vice President of the Diaspora Chamber of Commerce, Elisabeta Katiaj.
When will the summit be held?
The Fifth Diaspora Women’s Summit will take place on October 11th in Tirana at 10:00 AM and will last for two days. This format has evolved into a tradition. On the first day, the summit will consist of three panels and B2B meetings. On the second day, it continues with visits to member businesses based on interest and pre-arranged meetings organized by the secretariat for the women coming from the diaspora.
Who is expected to participate from Albania and the diaspora?
The participants will include prominent figures from the Albanian diaspora and leaders from various fields in Albania, including government representatives, women’s rights activists, entrepreneurs, and successful professionals from different sectors. Additionally, successful Albanian women living abroad will be part of the summit.
What will be the key themes and topics addressed at the summit?
The theme of this year’s Summit is “Leading the Way to the European Union,” and it will be addressed in three panels with the following sub-themes:
Guiding Businesses Towards Integration into the European Market (Panel I)
This panel aims to highlight the role of diaspora women entrepreneurs in the successful integration and internationalization of Albanian businesses into the European Union market.
Women in Innovation and Digitalization (Panel II)
The second panel will explore the role of women in innovation and digitalization, discussing strategies to advance their position in the digital economy in Albania.
Strengthening Public-Private Dialogue: Diaspora Women’s Engagement for EU Integration (Panel III)
This panel will discuss commitments and conclusions from the Fifth Summit, focusing on improving dialogue between the public and private sectors, with a focus on the role of diaspora women in Albania’s EU integration.
What new developments are expected from this summit?
New initiatives may include improved collaboration between the diaspora and Albania, new projects to support women in business and their rights, as well as platforms for broader networking among Albanian women worldwide. The surprises are left for the Summit.
What is special about this format is that it doesn’t end after these two days, but there is serious engagement before and after the event. The technical study and analysis on the defined sub-themes, as well as the treatment of the agenda stemming from conclusions and recommendations, form part of the working group’s commitment to achieve tasks and offer a real and measurable contribution to the country.
How do you see the opportunities and space for the diaspora in Albania? Is there concrete interest in investment from them, and has the pace changed?
The interest, need, benefit, or space for leveraging the Albanian diaspora in the country’s economy is under-studied due to the lack of a registration system that offers ways to identify individuals by category and more broadly. As the Chamber, we took the first steps a year ago, a task born from the last summit, to create a platform and database. The platform, www.addw.al, is the registration platform for the Chamber members.
Today, we have about 1,500 members from the Albanian diaspora who have joined the Chamber for support through an information channel for tender calls, grants, dedicated announcements, startup services, and even addressing personal requests. The Chamber is also following steps to profile its services in internationalization and standardization for SMEs, thanks to the main supporters GIZ and CIPE.
Opportunities and spaces are experienced in our daily lives, as today in Albania, under the profile of entrepreneurs, freelancers, directors, etc., many have lived abroad, studied abroad, and have returned to practice their careers in both the public and private sectors. Innovation in our country has been brought by returnees, and contemporary European-standard investments, which have opened markets, come directly from the Albanian diaspora or through their direct mediation.
What are the main obstacles for the diaspora, or more precisely, what do they ask from us when it comes to investment opportunities?
The main obstacles for diaspora investors include bureaucracy, lack of transparency, and legal infrastructure. They ask for a more stable business environment, tax reliefs, and legal security for their investments.
Will the issue of diaspora voting be addressed?
The issue of diaspora voting is an important topic and is expected to be discussed in the context of greater political and civil engagement of the diaspora in the country. There will also be discussions at the Summit on advancing this process and creating easier mechanisms for their participation in elections.
What are the challenges faced by diaspora women, and what can be done to empower them?
Challenges include a lack of representation in decision-making structures, cultural and social barriers, and the absence of supportive networks. Their empowerment can be achieved through training programs, mentoring networks, and creating opportunities for economic and social collaboration. Engaging in investments in their countries of origin requires dedicated treatment policies, including fiscal advantages or direct grant offerings for the startup phase. One of the ideas we are promoting, but which requires financial support, is partnerships between women aimed at preparing for exports and securing international contracts through this partnership.
What are the objectives of the Diaspora Chamber in the next 2-3 years?
The main objectives of the Diaspora Chamber will include strengthening economic ties between Albania and the diaspora, creating opportunities for sustainable investments, and improving Albania’s image in WorldWide AWARDS, the Albanian Women’s Diaspora Summit, as well as the “With Heart and Mind from Albania” Economic Conferences, organized in at least two strategic partner countries with a significant Albanian diaspora presence. Additionally, a group of women experts is being trained to standardize and qualify the “Export Readiness” service for SMEs, assisting in the growth and development of business partnerships, particularly for women and young people.
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