September 21 (SeeNews) - Albania's government has submitted an application to the European Commission for 71 million euro ($79.2 million) in EU pre-accession funds for agriculture, the country's finance ministry said.
Through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in Rural Development (IPARD), the government plans to support 2,055 investment projects and thus create 800 jobs, the ministry said in a statement, published on Tuesday.
Under the programme, farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs and food processing plants could benefit from a grant of between 10,000 euro and 2 million euro. Recipients should be active in dairy production, processing of meat, fruits and vegetables, or of protected plants varieties. The programme also aims to support investments in aquaculture, natural and rural tourism and renewable energy production.
If approved, the implementation of the programme will start in 2017, when all farmers and companies, which meet the requirements, will be invited to apply for funding.
In June, the EU ambassador in charge for Albania, Romana Vlahutin, announced that the country could get an IPARD grant of 71 million euro.
"This is a huge investment, which - if used well and wisely - should lead to a substantial change in the structure of the agricultural economy and the quality of food in Albania," Vlahutin said back then. "We encourage the Albanian farmers and agribusinesses to be aware and proactive and take full advantage of this great opportunity."
($=0.897 euro)