On January 25-26, the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) organized the Consultative Forum on Business and Tourism Development Areas (BID/TID).
Mr. Aleksander Sarapuli and Mr. Martin Mata, AADF Co-CEOs and Mr. Erion Veliaj, invited as Chairman of the Association for Local Autonomy, discussed the BID/TID concept as a model for urban areas management and the support provided to the businesses operating in these areas. AADF, as the initiator and catalyst of this model, has invested in the cities of Berat, Korça, Shkodra, Kruja, Tirana, Gjirokastra and Vlora, interventions that have improved services and investments in various commercial and urban areas. Forum participants were Administrators and Local Consultants of BID/TID associations working with AADF and the Municipalities of these cities. The activity focused on experience- sharing between BID/TID, for an improved work experience; Presentation of new administrators and consultants of BID/TID associations; Understanding relevant issues and support / training needs; and Orientation on 2018 Challenges. During the second day of the meeting particular focus was on the financial and procurement procedures of the associations, as well as measurement and reporting of the project indicators, presentations held by the AADF staff. The forum concluded with common agreement on the 2018 list of specific objectives to be followed by business associations, based on the key challenges. Future meetings will be planned periodically, in order to improve local capacities, also to measure and monitor the BID/TID associations performance, according to the objectives set together. BID/TID projects are financed and coordinated by AADF and respective municipalities.