Ornella Darova, a Ph.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania, consultant for the World Bank for the growth of firms in the Western Balkans, and consultant for the OECD on issues of regulation and competition in the economy, tell exclusively for the DIELI newspaper - Organ of the Pan-Albanian Federation of America "VATRA in New York - about her studies in Italy and America, her experience in Uganda and Sierra Leone, work at the World Bank, by analyzing Albanians in the diaspora, Albania's economic model and the energy crisis.
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| Ornella in her office in Washington |
An Albanian consultant for the World Bank
ENERGY, GAS, NATURAL RESOURCES AND PRICE CRISIS IN ALBANIA
There are some aspects to mention, and the issue is not at all simple, also due to the fact that information and journalism specialized in the economic field in Albania has some shortcomings and citizens have limited opportunities to be informed in this field. I will start with electricity. Considering the electricity balance that has been published by State Institute of the Statiscics of Albania for the two quarters of 2021, ie the last that has been published, we can observe that Albania in this period has not shown an energy crisis of this kind - even the opposite happened: net production domestic has more than doubled compared to the corresponding periods in 2019 and 2020. However, we may notice some problems. First, and most important: there is no well-thought-out strategy for the differentiation of energy sources, even almost all electricity is produced in hydropower plants, while the failure of the Vlora power plant not only did not contribute to energy production but also caused and continues to cause very large losses that accumulate as a result of the need for maintenance and repayment of the loan taken for its construction. Even the World Bank, the lender for the construction of the power plant, has concluded that the debts accumulated by Albanian Power Corporation (KESH), the electricity generating corporation in Albania, are the main cause of the high cost faced by the consumer. The fact that KESH, which is responsible for generating the vast majority of energy consumed in Albania, bears such huge debts for decades, makes clear the scale of the problem. Albania is also considered by field organizations as a country with a lot of potentials to produce electricity with renewable sources, but it is clear that this potential is not being used. An increasing problem is the mismanagement of infrastructure: grid losses in transmission and distribution are approximately 20% of the total energy, a figure that in the EU and the US is approximately 5-6%.
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| Ornella Darova in the Gjirokastra bazaar dressed in traditional clothes, August, 2020 |
GAS, A SOURCE IN WHICH ALBANIA HAS MINIMUM ACCESS
Another important chapter is gas, a source to which Albania has minimal access. Even in this case, the damage caused by the failure of the Vlora power plant is clear: if it had been active, would have had the golden opportunity to connect to the new flow of Azerbaijani gas from TAP, replacing also a portion of oil consumption. Last but not least, oil: in fact, the first source of energy consumed in Albania. Albania is known for the highest fuel prices not only in the region but in the world. This record of Albania does not exist since yesterday, but for many years, especially from the burden of excises, turnover tax, and carbon tax, which is worth noting, that is also reflected in the price of various goods, which are transported by vehicle of high tonnage in Albania in the absence of other forms of transport. Lack of diversification, high prices exacerbated by debts and unrenovated infrastructure, leave the Albanian consumer in the hands of fate and the international market. So a tragic situation adds to the burden of rising global prices.
ALBANIANS IN THE DIASPORA AS A REFLECTION OF THE BEST VALUES THAT CHARACTERIZE OUR PEOPLE
Initially: the number of Albanians outside Albania is definitely greater than the number of those living in the homeland. This fact is enough to show how important the Albanian diaspora is. But when considering the names that can be mentioned in the Albanian diaspora, mainly among those who have participated in the association Vatra and the newspaper Dilli, so passing from quantity to quality, I believe it can be said with certainty that the contribution of the Diaspora is fundamental. It is clear that many Albanians are valued and realize their dreams more abroad than in Albania: as long as this is true, it seems that the diaspora will be a national asset with great potential. However, to exploit this potential, it is necessary the desire of these Albanians to give their contribution from abroad: a healthy patriotism and hope for the improvement of Albania are necessary factors, which must be nurtured by genuine and articulated strategies. The Diaspora is left with a task that I think every responsible individual should carry throughout their lives. Albanians everywhere should serve as a reflection of the best values that characterize our people. We must be aware that the burden of preserving and improving the image of Albania falls on us.
VIRTUAL COMPROMISE BETWEEN INTEGRATION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY AND CONSERVATION OF OUR CULTURE
During the relatively short time I have lived in the US, I have noticed a great desire among Albanians to unite and organize as a community. At my university, there is an Albanian student association; also, in many other universities, there are analogous associations. I have also noticed the presence of Albanian professional associations, Albanian language schools for children or traditional dances, and events and celebrations of the Albanian community. Although there is a very large diaspora in Italy, I have the impression that there is a similar organization, but not so strong and proud. In America, diversity is not as taboo as in Italy, and communities are somewhat more aware of protecting their identity. I believe that these values are to be upheld, and it is important that as a community we find a virtuous compromise between integrating into American society and conserving our culture.
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| Ornela (third from the left) while in Uganda with colegues and local residents |
ALBANIA CAN BE DONE ONLY BY ALBANIANS
Unfortunately, Albania suffers from so many 'diseases' that it is impossible to mention them all. But I believe we have the solutions inside, not outside. Although today Albania suffers from a very pronounced lack of values, from misgovernment that holds cynicism as its pride, and from unscrupulous corruption, Albanians have faith, cooperation, and altruism at the core of their culture. I believe it would be better to look more within ourselves, analyze ourselves more, and consider our heritage more, rather than waiting for judgment or resolution from the outside. After all, Albania can only be made by Albanians.
GRANDDAUGHTER OF THE DAROVA BROTHERS, EXCELLENT MUSICIANS, THE BEATLES OF POGRADEC
I am the granddaughter of the Darova brothers, great musicians, the Beatles of Pogradec. My grandfather's brother has been in prison for more than 30 years for agitation and propaganda, and the whole tribe has suffered from communist persecution. A savage persecution that hated my family as every family from the Albanian elite hated. It is this contempt for individual success, wealth, and achievement that has been a hallmark of communist ideology and is unfortunately a feeling that many individuals continue to carry, for a variety of reasons. Mediocrity, a certain security and stability are aspects that in some situations are desired by human nature more than freedom and the opportunity for personal improvement and growth, especially in conditions of hopelessness.