TIRANA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Although the agriculture sector in Albania contributes to 20 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and employs 44 percent of people, this sector suffers from a lack of subsidies from the state, a report issued from European Commission showed Thursday.
According to the report, compared to other Balkan countries, those working in the Albanian agricultural sector receive the lowest amount of subsidies.
"Albanian agriculture receives the least support from the state budget compared to all other Balkan countries," report cited.
Referring to figures provided in the report, Albania gives as direct subsidies per producer less than three euros (3.57 U.S. dollars) per hectare. Meanwhile, the figure in Macedonia 145 euros, 31 euros in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 25 euros in Montenegro.
Experts of the field told local media that the low subsidies hampered this sector. Therefore, they said that at a time when Albania is aiming to enter a joint Balkan market, it should also enhance state support to farmers and producers so they can be competitive.
The agriculture sector remains an engine of economic growth for Albania, but statistics show financing still falls short of expectations due to the difficulties facing the banking sector. Experts are appealing for creating efficient lending models for this sector.
