TIRANA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) will assist Albania's fisheries sector by providing a grant worth 3.4 million euros (3.98 million U.S. dollars), local media reported on Friday.
Under this framework, the EU has opened a call for application by the institutions that want to benefit grants in the fishing sector.
Albanian fishermen will have the opportunity to use these grants to improve different elements like navigation systems, food safety (refrigerators), improvement of fishing equipment and reduction of pollution.
According to an EU delegation statement, the grants for the individuals will be given through a third party who will benefit from the EU funds and will be limited up to 60,000 euros.
These grants should not cover more than 50 percent of the investment value while all the public institutions have a Sept. 11 the deadline to answer the EU call, the statement noted.
Albania's National Fleet Register counts 592 fishing boats and 4,215 people employed in this sector.
