TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

TOURISM | HOSPITALITY | BUSINESS | DIPLOMACY | CULTURE

TOURISM | HOSPITALITY | BUSINESS | DIPLOMACY | CULTURE

FEBRUARY 2021

FEBRUARY 2021

NEVILA DUDAJ:

OCTOBER 2021

OCTOBER 2021

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

ARBEN

MERKOÇI:

Quite Ambitious to Create a Nanotech Center in Albania Photographer: Alisa Dudaj

Photographer: Dr. Begüm Koçak

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ELEMENTS OF AI

TUMO TIRANA

EU4INNOVATION

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BIBITA GROUP

ASTRID LINDBERG

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MEET MIKAELA KARLSSON

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WINE TOUR

MILTIADH PRIFTI

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DR. ALDA ZANI

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TWINSET & ACTITUDE

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VILLA REVIEW

ELIAV RODMAN

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LUFTHANSA GROUP

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ANORIA SHOWROOM

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TIRANA INC. PAGE

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GREEN TECHNOLOGY

RANEEM BOU HUSSEIN

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SWISSA

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Come and visit us!

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EMA BREGU

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OZ MARKETING PAGE

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DIDIER GUSCHING

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EMBASSY OF SWEDEN.

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SILLICON VALLEY – TEL-AVIV – TIRANA

BY RUDINA HOXHA

spoke with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE highlighting that they are working to do more things in a short span of time while he put the stress on the important of Albania’s going into the high-tech scene.

The Ambassador states that due to the high-tech, Israel did not feel the impact of the world economic crises in the years that started in 2008.

“If you take into consideration the world economic crises in the years that started in 2008, Israel did not feel it.

The economy grew by 4.5 % average every year. Why did it happen so? Because of the high tech. Even now, if we talk about this, I think that we lack over 100.000 people in the tech scene because, imagine, Israel cannot produce enough engineers and programmers and people like that for the industries,” Gendler said.

According to the Ambassador, “we have to go into the high-tech scene.”

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n the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Israel and Albania, the Ambassador of Israel to Tirana, H.E. Noah Gal Gendler

“I was Ambassador to Bulgaria and we assisted entrepreneurs to establish some 12-13 companies. Today I believe there

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In addition, the Ambassador is waiting for the moment when the first and the second Israeli major investment occurs, “then we will have a flow. This is the secret.”

Mr. Ambassador, what are the most demanded fields of cooperation between the two countries so far?

Normally we talk about tourism and agriculture but my feelings as we discussed earlier is that we have to go into the high-tech scene as well and of course other types of investments like in construction.

Full interview below: Last September Israel and Albania celebrated 30 years of diplomatic relations. How can you describe this moment?

According to my experience, I see immediately the difference between states that have 70 + years of relations with Israel and states that have 10, 20 or 30 years. And the difference exists here as well, especially taking into consideration the period before the establishment, i.e. the Enver Hoxha dictatorship and the confinement of Albania not only towards Israel but towards the entire world. There is a lot to be done. What I try to accomplish is to expedite the process because if we do not do it in the coming years, it might be too late for both of us. This is what

The secret is to listen to the Albanian demands to bring Israel in. In a sense it is very easy. Because if you take into consideration the world economic crises in the years that started in 2008, Israel did not feel it. The economy grew by 4.5 % average every year. Why did it happen so? Because of the high tech. Even now, if we talk about this, I think that we lack over 100.000 people in the tech scene because, imagine, Israel cannot produce enough engineers and programmers and people like that for the industries. So, we go abroad. For that, we have two ways.

One way is to bring people to Israel. We don’t like it. Better if people would stay in their own country and work. In the high-tech scene, there is no need to meet each other every day, instead you meet online. That’s what we plan to do. I have this experience because I did it when I was Ambassador to Bulgaria and we assisted entrepreneurs to establish some 12-13 companies. Today I believe there

“The secret is to listen to the Albanian demands to bring Israel in” 7

D I P LO M AC Y

D I P LO M AC Y

We are Working to Create the Triangle –

we are working on. Of course, the initial instincts of the Albanians and Israelis vis-à-vis are very positive, very friendly, but it is not enough. If you want to keep these relations warm and ongoing, you have to do more things in a short span of time. This is our goal here.

are more. They worked as a triangle: Silicon Valley – Tel-Aviv – Bulgaria. The same can be applied here,” Ambassador Gendler said adding “The economy would profit because this would be an income generating aspect.”

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Israel is very innovative even in health, one of the most demanded sectors right now given the ongoing pandemic.

Do you think it is the right time to bring some Israeli experience in this aspect?

I am not aware about such efforts because to begin with, Albania is a very small market. We have a very developed scene of medical tourism and most of the people go to Israel for this. The scope of your question is not this, but viceversa. We are trying to do something but the market is so small that you have to have a very good starter. And there are some ideas like online medicine through which you get a second or a third opinion before you start a medical treatment.

are more. They worked as a triangle: Silicon Valley – Tel-Aviv – Bulgaria. The same can be applied here. Of course, it takes time because you have to prepare the proper personnel, the right people. If we do so, the main achievement would be that the young generation will not leave the country anymore because they would have a very good job and a very good salary. Then, why should they go abroad? The economy would profit because this would be an income

I think that the point is to walk on the basement because the moment you have a startup atmosphere, let’s say, you have startups in many fields, like Fintech, Cyber, AI and others, then it is easy to push forward here and there. The moment you do not have this, then you think twice before you do something.

Israeli people still see Albania as an enigma wondering what is this small country in Europe, but we should overcome it. My feeling is and I am sure about it, the moment we will have the first and the second major investment in this country, then we will have a flow.

This is the secret.

How has been this time for you Mr. Ambassador and what are your goals right now in your mission?

The time has been very difficult because of the pandemic and the earthquake before. But slowly we are trying to get out of this situation. The moment the conditions will be better, we will be able to bring more and more people to visit Albania and this is the number one priority: to bring tourists back and to bring businessmen to see Albania because there is a lack of knowledge about this country in Israel.

We are satisfied with our past and our historical relations despite of the fact that both countries did not have diplomatic relations for so many years.

But if you judge by history, you see that the love and the courage of the Albanian people towards the Jews in very difficult days, when it was not very easy to take care, help and protect, encourage in my people and myself the feeling that we have to pay back. This is what we are trying to do. The secret is to find proper fields and areas where we can do so.

This can be easily implemented. Israel has done it with many other countries.

We have some ideas on our minds. But

“But slowly we are trying to get out of this situation” 8

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D I P LO M AC Y

D I P LO M AC Y

generating aspect.

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“Lead by Example”

BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO

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a professional and intellectual audience like yours in Trailblazing Magazine.

or 20 years, Nevila Dudaj has been the representative of the 64 years old Hotel – Adriatik Hotel in Durrës, the icon of Albanian Tourism & Hospitality, and one of the most architecturally admired buildings during Communism times. An experienced entrepreneur for more than 20 years, she has managed successfully in different fields, like real estate, marketing, sales, beauty business, and as a hospitality professional.

This interview marks some important events to me and my family, the first one is the 5th anniversary of our presence in America with our Tour Agency, ADRIATIK TOURS LLC. ADRIATIK TOURS LLC is established

“I couldn’t have been prouder, being the representative of our 64 years old Hotel”

From US where Dudaj was working, she gave an exclusive interview to TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE to depict the 20-year journey running two businesses at the same time, almost 5,000 miles apart, Adriatik Hotel in Albania, and Adriatik Tours LLC in the US while sharing with our readers the new added amenities and facilities in the Hotel, one of which a Casino by the end of this year.

I couldn’t have been prouder, being the representative of our 64 years old Hotel, the icon of Albanian Tourism & Hospitality, and one of the most architecturally admired buildings during the Communism times.

Adriatik Hotel, built in 1957, well known

for its structural integrity, was designed by the best group of Albanian Architects and Engineers, who have graduated in renowned Russian, Italian and French Universities, led by the talented Architect Gani Strazimiri who was influenced and inspired by the Italian charm, class and style of Luxury

“Making my guests happy, drives me in my work. I love what I do. Passion is the key ingredient for success,” Dudaj says in this exclusive interview.

Full interview below: What is unique about Adriatik Hotel in terms of its history, location, guest experience, authenticity and other aspects? What makes it so different from other hotels in Albania?

First of all, Rudi & Jose, thank you for the opportunity, it’s a great pleasure reaching

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in USA 5 years ago, serving as a representative/sales office of Adriatik Hotel in U.S and the branch of Adriatik Tours, our tour agency located in Adriatik Hotel Lobby.

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T O U R I S M / H O S P I TA L I T Y

T O U R I S M / H O S P I TA L I T Y

Nevila Dudaj’s Advice After t20 Years of Experience:

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them if we can do anything to improve their stay, if we are meeting their expectations during their stay.

A lot of foreigners who used to visit Adriatik at that time, still visit us with great pleasure.

Many environmental specialists at that time, highlighted as reasons for this selection, the high iodine in air and sand, quality of the sea, and the superb, enviable location right on the national road, only 25 km from the International Airport and 5 km from the port of Durres.

Adriatik Hotel was the preferred vacation spot of foreign diplomats, artists, famous people or Presidents, and until the fall of Communism in 1991 didn’t allow any Albanian citizen to enter as a guest or visitor. That was the intriguing part of our story.

Couples who’ve met in our hotel 35 years ago, like Stephan and Marie from Germany, like Heins and Christy the couple from Sweden, who fanatically visited for more than 41 years the hotel, since their first time, when they fell in love with each other… and so many others. Honestly if I mention all of them, there will be no more pages left on this magazine…

“Treat the guests like you would like to be treated.”

Now, we host not only foreigners from all the continents, but we are very proud to host the largest number of Albanian Diaspora living all over the world, in USA, UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Australia and others.

In 2000 the hotel was privatized and totally reconstructed by our family, Dudaj family. It took a lot of work and efforts until its glamorous inauguration as an international 5-star property on July 31st 2003, and ever since, we continue to run Adriatik Hotel independently, complying with the highest international standards.

What are you doing to keep your customers loyal and make them return year after year?

Our motto and business philosophy are simple and effective, and generate from our heart: “Treat the guests like you would like to be treated.”

This is what we share with our staff of 120 people, the ones whom we prefer to call coworkers, as we feel being part of a big and beautiful family, working and sharing together our happy moments.

We share and receive good energy.

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We celebrate their special moments, birthdays, prepare for them cakes and surprises, Royal Breakfast served in their rooms, on the terrace, these are things they never expect, but won’t never forget, and will associate that good feeling with us, with Adriatik Hotel, their happy place, they will return year after year with their families and friends, to celebrate their kids wedding, with us in their favorite beachfront Hotel in Albania…

I can assure you, that we have plenty of happy moments throughout the day, as we receive a lot of thanks and gratitude from many happy couples being surprised with a welcoming gift in their room and a special décor.

Entertainment is offered by our events team with traditional music, dance, live music, during all the year.

We are the only independent hotel in Albania who offers direct bookings through our own official website: www.adriatikhotel.com and this is our main advantage. We are present in all GDS’s, well connected with the best OTA’s.

Happy kids, surprised by our Chef Bunny who cooks with them the best pizza.

Happy old couples, families, friends, who find the right place to relax and experience amazing meals cooked with love and passion from our kitchen staff, food cooked from the scratch with first quality products.

The best farm & organic fresh fruits and vegetables, daily fish from Adriatic Sea baked in salt and served in a spectacular way, signature dishes, as our oven baked shrimp casserole, traditional desserts like Zup or Bakllava, prepared with the same recipe as 60 years ago.

What are you doing to empower your staff, to create a greater empathy and attitude towards the guest experience and to make the staff loyal to Adriatic Hotel?

Being an experienced entrepreneur for more than 20 years, and managing successfully in different fields, like real estate, marketing, sales, beauty business, and as a hospitality professional, the most effective management advice I could give is, to lead by example.

Our guests see and feel that we care for them, they notice the little gestures, the smile and kindness in every staff member’s face that they meet, who asks

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T O U R I S M / H O S P I TA L I T Y

T O U R I S M / H O S P I TA L I T Y

Hotels of the Italian Riviera.

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and packages during the pandemic were couples’ romantic celebrations in our rooms, organized also on the beach, garden, next to the pool.

the management positions the ones who lead and succeed successfully are women. Supporting and empowering women is part of my life, my daily actions, and I will never stop doing it.

I’m very grateful to my team for their great & hard work.

We also offer a great training option, to our co-workers at Adriatik Hotel in Albania, to be hired to USA, and have 9 month-12 months of work experience in luxury hotels, in cooperation with large brands, looking to find professionals in the hospitality industry.

“The empathy model in management to me, comes natural.”

I’m happy for their achievements and encourage them to take further steps toward their career goals, taking courses, become more professional in their fields, or encourage them to explore other opportunities inside the hotel.

They know that we never leave them alone, and the most recent challenge we faced, was when we provided for them regular salaries during Covid-19 closure of two months and a half, in March 2020.

We were in all this together.

Professional Trainings make wonders too.

My personal and lifetime mission is to support and empower women, starting from my own team, where the majority in our team are women, and

Can you elaborate on the additional features that you most recently added to the Hotel? How have these new features influenced the enhancement of your perception in the market versus your competitors? Are they influencing an increased occupancy?

Well, we are famous, because we take so much care of the details, that’s why after our extensive renovation and refurbishment of 2017-2018, we added in September 2019 the new luxury SPA at Adriatik Hotel, an area of more than 400

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We re-decorated and launched 10 new rooms. New Romantic rooms overlooking the sea, breakfast and dinner are served in the room for maximum intimacy and guests satisfaction.

Once the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted we re-started to organize successfully with our dedicated Events team, many amazing and classy weddings, parties, birthdays, bachelorette parties, on the beach. We are the favorite place for events and we advise our guests to make a reservation way ahead to get their favorite date booked for them.

meters square, named after our Illyrian Queen, “Queen Teuta SPA”.

There you will find a heated sea water Thalasso pool, Sauna, Massage and Exclusive Skin Treatment rooms, Forlled –Luxury Japanese high end skin products and facials, the only exclusive Forlled SPA in Albania, Hammam, a modern Gym, and last but not least our expert beauticians, who are rated only 5 out of 5 from our guests.

We had good figures in 2020, and were fully booked during 2021, because we used our creativity a lot.

My Events team is very creative and successful in planning and operating the events, offering a one stop shop for any kind of event, from decoration, details, fresh flowers, photographer, videographer, make-up artist, band, musicians, dancers and all is offered according to your favorite budgets and preferences…

We are the only Hotel in Durres who continues to offer on weekends during all year, on Fridays Folk Traditional dance with a performing group - Albanian Night, and on Saturdays Live music with a lovely and talented band from Durres.

From May 1st to the end of September we offer daily entertainment during dinner time and animation for kids and adults during the day.

Our best new and innovative products

Our Tour Agency in Albania, Adriatik

If you look for a special place, an oasis of serenity, luxury treatments and exclusive products, you’ve come to the right place.

We also pay a lot of attention to wellness programs, healthy diets, yoga, mindfulness and meditation. We are part of a Global Wellness Program and organize on request retreats, of any kind for companies, individuals and families.

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T O U R I S M / H O S P I TA L I T Y

The empathy model in management comes naturally to me and that leads my co-workers toward their best judgment, attitude, reflection of their best communicative skills with the guests, and as a result they feel safe, at ease, supported, respected for their efforts and work; they feel connected, happy to share our achievements, and willing to experience their path toward their career goals.

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being published in our highly followed social media sites , in Instagram and Facebook page: “Hotel Adriatik Durres” page, show very clearly that we make a simple and effective marketing, making all our guests happy.

Operating as a concierge and a Tour Agency, offers daily tours and customizes the trips for every guest’s preference. The comfortable options to pick up guests once they land at the airport, stay in our hotel, than bring them in daily tours with a specialized Tour Guide and Driver with a luxury car, to visit Durres our 3,000 old city, Vlora, Berati the UNESCO heritage city, Prizren, Prishtina, Shkoder, Saranda ,Gjirokaster , Montenegro ..etc. We take care of everything….

They meet influencers, famous guests, celebrities in our hotel, take pictures with them, dance with them during our entertaining dinners, become part of our life and our long term memories.

“The empathy model in management to me, comes natural.”

What makes the Adriatic Hotel memorable? What will guests rave about the Hotel to their friends and families once back home?

What motivated you to go into the hotel industry?

What puts a smile/a frown on your face? What is next for you?

Hospitality is my first job, my first love. Adriatik Hotel to be precise…

I started from scratch at Adriatik Hotel in 2000, right after my graduation in Economics, in 1998. I was very humble and eager to learn, I loved everything I did, and if I would go back would do it over and over again. I was not afraid to learn and work, and it served me well. I learned how to be a barista, a waitress, a receptionist, manager…

Memorable for our guests are the smiling faces of our team, each of the moments described above, the best impressions from our Pools filled with Seawater, the slide, the comfort of rooms, the view, kids playground, the doctor onsite, food and special moment created for them.

There are incentives for our returning guests, once they’re back with us, free appetizers, discounts in our SPA services, surprises in their room, for them and their kids… They are part of a VIP guest List.

In the meantime, my husband, my father in law, and my brother in law, were working for the reconstruction the hotel, I was working in my home office, using Dial up Internet line, ( if anyone still remembers it ), had to study hard first, how a hotel should be set up.

A lot of guests pictures, tags in Instagram at @adriatikhotel, @ queenteutaspa , @travel2albania , their reviews and video testimonials, who are

I’ve read a lot, traveled a lot, attended courses online from Cornell University in

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US, than I had to translate, recruit staff, send faxes, work until 2 am, being a full time mom, when my daughter was only 2 years old, and pregnant with my son.

country. The hotel will be available in the BW distribution network by the end of 2021 as a Best Western Premier Collection”.

Until the soft opening of the hotel, in July 31st 2003, I worked as project manager, as an HR, selecting an experienced General Manager from Germany as the first Foreign general Manager in Albania at that time.

The news above were the last important events I wanted to share with our readers…

Thank you

I did Administrative work, and whole Preopening period for the hotel, I had to learn a lot more and put in practice everything I studied in the University.

Speaking 5 languages worked in my advantage completing all that work.

This interview marks the 5th anniversary of our presence in America with our Tour Agency,

Running two businesses at the same time, located almost 5,000 miles apart, Adriatik Hotel in Albania, and Adriatik Tours LLC in the US, at the end of the day, is rewarding when you feel happy with what you do.

ADRIATIK TOURS LLC .

ADRIATIK TOURS LLC is established in USA 5 years ago, serving as a representative /sales office of Adriatik Hotel in U.S and the branch of Adriatik Tours, our

What drives me in my work, is to make my guests happy.

I love what I do. Passion is the key ingredient for success.

tour agency located in Adriatik Hotel Lobby.

Starting from December 1st, a Casino will be operating in our Hotel on the Top Floor of Adriatik Hotel, and we just signed the Agreement with Best Western International and this is the PR wire published on November 10, 2021: “Best Western Southeastern Europe is proud to announce the expansion of the Best Western Hotels & Resorts in Albania. Adriatik Hotel in Durres is the second member of the chain in the

Adriatik Hotel was the preferred vacation spot of foreign diplomats, artists, famous people or Presidents, and until the fall of Communism in 1991, it didn’t allow any Albanian citizen to enter as a guest or visitor. That was the intriguing part of our story.

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T O U R I S M / H O S P I TA L I T Y

T O U R I S M / H O S P I TA L I T Y

Tours office is located in our hotel Lobby.

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due to involvement first of best research

sat with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE to

Albanian groups but attracting also

talk of the benefits of this Conference for

talents from all over the world.

Albania and what he is doing to create an excellent nanotech center that will follow

So far, NANOALB, a virtual center,

the model of excellent centres that exist

has been created. “NANOALB,

in Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain.

( https://nanoalb.al/nanoalb/ ) is the Albanian Institute of Nanoscience and

Arben Merkoçi:

Quite Ambitious to Create a Nanotech Center in Albania

“We are quite ambitious in this direction.

Nanotechnology with 24 research groups

The centre we want to build would

in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia

strictly follow the rules and operation

that I am very proudly directing and

principles that guide excellent EU

coordinating with two co-coordinators

research centres in all the direction. This

in Tirana (Prof. Vasjari and Xhaxhiu),” he

includes not only the infrastructure and

said.

all the facilities but overall, the human

Full interview below:

resources quality, both those who will be involved in science but also in other important aspects of the centre running,”

From 4 to 8 October 2021, the

Merkoçi told TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE.

International Nanotechnology

This centre, according to him, aims to be

Trends Conference (TNT2021) was

a referent centre in the entire Balkan area

held for the first time in Albania bringing together about 210

A

BY RUDINA HOXHA

scientists and researchers from 21 different countries of the

with the International Nanotechnology

cad. Prof. Dr. Arben

region. What did this prestigious

Trends Conference (TNT2021) which was

Merkoçi, ICREA Research

event conclude and what will be

held for the first time in Albania bringing

Professor and Group Leader

its impact on Albania science

together about 210 scientists and

Institut Català de

development?

researchers from 21 different countries of

Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2),

the region.

Barcelona, Spain was in Tirana early last

TNT2021, organized by Phantoms

October. He got all the media attention

Foundation and ICN2 in Spain and

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N A N O T E C H N O LO G Y

N A N O T E C H N O LO G Y

At the sidelines of the big event, Merkoçi

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Particularly interesting was the School of

the foundations for the development

countries in the framework of

Nanobiosensors during which practical

of nanotechnology in Albania as

NANOALB, it was a great help

lectures and even demonstrations

well?

because it helped in putting in

were done for those interested to

Since many years based on the

contact the Albanian scientists

initiate their activity in the area of

identification of nanotechnology

with many colleagues from

the development and applications of

related research activities in Albanian

abroad that may bring new

nanobiosensor, important devices for a

universities, thanks to the support of

collaborative projects in the

lot of applications. In addition, during

the Academy of Sciences of Albania,

future.

this workshop, students (10-15 years

NANOALB, a virtual center is created.

old) of an international school in Tirana,

NANOALB, ( https://nanoalb.al/

were invited and some simple lectures on

nanoalb/ ) is the Albanian Institute of

nanotechnology were taught to them.

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology with

the several workshops organized within

of Albania and with the support from

24 research groups in Albania, Kosovo,

the 5 days TNT2021 Conference.

the Embassy of Spain in Albania, was a great success. First of all, at international level it gathered scientists all over the world working in different areas of nanotechnology that go from health, environment, energy and other industries. They showed the recent developments in the mentioned areas, shared the expertise between them and overall with young scientists interested in nanotechnology. Secondly, at regional

The workshop “Medical Doctors meet Nanotechnologists” also was very interesting

This is quite important for scientists:

North Macedonia that I am very proudly

The first workshop was related to the

transmitting science knowledge to

directing and coordinating with two co-

new generation of nanomaterials, so-

young students and overall transmitting

coordinators in Tirana (Prof. Vasjari and

called 2D Materials, a very important

them the love for science is crucial for

Xhaxhiu). We have now a strong support

group of materials with great interest

future developments of science. Based

from Academy of Sciences of Albania and

for those working in nanotechnology. It

on the previous collaborations and

Albanian institutions and government to

is related to graphene, the material, the

to enhance these now, two trilateral

go ahead with the creation of the real

discovery of which gave the Nobel prize

collaborative workshops Albania-Japan-

center, that will have the proper building

to two colleagues in Manchester and now

Spain and Albania-Czech Republic-

in Tirana. We are trying to collaborate in

in this conference excellent colleagues

Spain were held putting the bases for

this direction also with the centers where

collaborating in this area with them

further collaborations with interest for all

I work in Barcelona, ICN2 ( www.icn2.

showed the recent advances.

involved countries.

cat ) and CERCA ( https://cerca.cat/en/ ).

The workshop “Medical Doctors meet

This conference put now Albania, Kosovo

Moreover, a Horizon Europe project is

Nanotechnologists” also was very

and North Macedonia, all involved

already submitted as collaborative effort

interesting. In this workshop the recent

countries in the NANOALB, in the map of

between various Albanian institutions

advances of nanotechnology applied in

nanotechnology.

and international centres that would ensure additional funding for building

medicine were shown.

NANOALB. This would be a real centre,

What are the steps needed to create

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N A N O T E C H N O LO G Y

level, overall for the involved

Of particular interests have been

by NANOALB, Academy of Sciences

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creation, collaboration with industries,

follow the model of excellent centres we

dissemination and all outreach activities

have in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

as my centre in Barcelona already is one of the best in the world in the area of nanotechnology. We want to have

We are quite ambitious in this direction.

a similar kind of centre in Tirana. In The centre we want to build would

addition, we want to be ambitious. The

strictly follow the rules and operation

science is collaboration and excellence.

principles that guide excellent EU

“These may be excellent Albanian scientists working in nanotechnology but also international colleagues”

characteristics: Real-time connectivity,

overall in Barcelona.

and Robust, for example stable during

Ease of specimen collection, Affordable by those who need to use such devices, Sensitive with very few false-negatives, Specific with very few false-positives, User-friendly tests that are simple to perform and require minimal training, Rapid, to enable treatment at first visit, temperature change, Equipment-free,

This centre is aimed to be a referent

research centres in all the direction.

Delivered to those who need it.

centre in the entire Balkan area due

What are you and your team

This includes not only the infrastructure

to involvement first of best research

currently working on?

and all the facilities but overall, the

Albanian groups but attracting also

The team I am directing in Barcelona,

For this reason, we are working in the

human resources quality, both those who

talents from all over the world. These

Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors

research and development of devices

will be involved in science but also in

may be excellent Albanian scientists

Group ( http://www.nanobiosensors.

using nitrocellulose (paper), a green/

other important aspects of the centre

working in nanotechnology but also

org/ ) at ICN2, is focusing its

sustainable material with great interest to

running. This would include excellent

international colleagues that either would

research in the development of

be coupled with nanomaterials offering

people to be involved in management,

like to come and create their research

innovative diagnostics devices based

innovative sensing approaches. One

ethical issues, technological transfer,

groups at NANOALB or create a joint

on nanotechnology for important

example is lateral flow, well known as

spin off/technology incubation &

group that may be supervised from

applications related to health,

pregnancy test or recently for rapid

abroad together with Albanian

environment and other industries. The

COVID19 tests well spread all over the

scientists/group leaders working

peculiarity of the research we are doing

world. We are working on important

in the place, at the center

is that we believe that we can address

innovation in this technology with the

that will be located in Tirana.

important challenges nowadays the

objective to offer such devices also for

There is too much work ahead

society has in relation to in situ / point of

important health related applications.

but we believe first of all to

care applications. The biosensors we are

our big efforts and of course

developing aim to fulfil the REASSURED

An important project we are working

the support that is offered

criteria. Ideally nanobiosensors, to be

together with other EU colleagues is

by Albanian institutions and

used as point of care diagnostics, should

MICROB-PREDICT (https://microb-

our international collaborator

meet the REASSURED criteria. This

predict.eu/) in which we are developing

institutions and colleagues

means, they should fulfil the following

new diagnostics devices with interest for

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N A N O T E C H N O LO G Y

N A N O T E C H N O LO G Y

as an excellent nanotech center, that will

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JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

biomarkers etc.). In the field of

on microbiome studies by our clinical

environment monitoring we have offered

partners in the consortium. Another

simple nanobiosensors (in collaboration

Prof. Merkoci, you have published

decisions related to therapies or offer

technology in my group is offering

with USA, Japan partners etc.) for the

more than 300 articles so far

strategies to remediate the contaminated

innovative nanosensor device fabrication

detection of dangerous contaminants

while you have supervised 35 PhD

environment (water, soils etc.). The

based on printing or patterning

such as pesticides, heavy metals,

theses. You are also involved in

development of wearable devices

technologies that would allow in-situ

bacteria, virus etc.

teaching PhD courses in the field of

is also another research area where

nanomaterial-based biosensors in

we are putting efforts trying to offer

production/fabrication of sensors with

step to solve these problems, to make

interest for various applications including

Nanotechnology is indeed pioneering

several Spanish and international

integrated systems that would include

COVID19 related biomarkers with high

the recent development with interest for

centres. What would you most

also other technologies such as wireless

sensitivity and multidetection capability.

both fast diagnostics of COVID19 or the

like to achieve in the field of

connections, antennas and also internet

development of the new vaccines.

nanomedicine?

of things, all through connection with a

The objective my research in the field of

smartphone.

You have contributed so much even in the field of nanomedicine, what

The rapid test of COVID19 spread

nanotechnology has is to offer the next

do you think the most exciting

now all over the world contains gold

generation of diagnostics devices, that

What is, in your opinion, the most

developments have been? What

nanoparticles. These are the tiny gold

thanks to the use of new nanomaterials

important nanotech invention to

are some ways nanotechnology can

nanoparticles, a pioneering product of

and combining interesting concepts

date?

help people cope with the present

nanotechnology, that give that red colour

related to light or electricity, would

There are several inventions I would

pandemic?

that indicates/guides us in knowing if we

be able to solve real society problems

say of nanotech today. Nanoparticle

We have been working so far in

are infected or not with COVID19. Some

related to the human or environment

(ex, gold nanoparticles, polymeric

various EU projects together with

other nanoparticles (lipid nanoparticles)

health. Both our planet and we people

nanoparticles) are revolutionizing already

other colleagues. Some of the

have been crucial component of some

living in it, have urgencies either related

Nanomedicine in both diagnostics and

advances we have brought in the area

vaccines (ex. the Pfizer/BioNTech and

to clinical diagnostics or environment

therapy. Graphene, a 2D material, is now

of nanomedicine include the use for

Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines).

offered as an advantageous alternative

the first of time of nanparticles as

These nanoparticles are product of

material in many applications including

important tools, labels, as alternative

nanotechnology studies and are playing

electronics (new transistors etc.),

to other materials, with advantages

an important role in protecting and

diagnostics (biosensors), constructions

in terms of the higher signal while

transporting the mRNA in an efficient

(lighter, stronger materials for various

being applied in cancer cells detection

way directly to the cells. Such nanotech

industries) etc.

(including circulating tumour cells,

concepts are with interest and under

neurodegenerative disease related

study for several other therapeutic

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N A N O T E C H N O LO G Y

monitoring. Diagnostics is the first

applications.

early diagnosis of liver cirrhosis based

ARE YOU DEVELOPING A SUCCESSFUL HOTEL CONCEPT?

BY JOSE PINTO*

For more, write to us at: jose.pinto@jphospitality.eu 27

F O U N D E R ’ S N OT E

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E

everywhere. My question is why?

ach year exciting destinations are creating and developing new and fresh hotels and Resorts.

Albania is since long doing it and in its own way.

You can see beautiful coastal spots being transformed into everything without deep thinking about the future and or optimization of the return of investment.

So much of the “same of the same “design and concept can be witnessed

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The challenges of the previous 20 years were mainly tied to one overarching paradigm shift – digitization – the decade ahead brings with it a number of industry disrupting trends and events that are changing what it means to be a hotel investor or operator. Still many private investors are not yet seeing it and continue acting as if nothing happens.

A decade or decades ago, Hotel and Resort investors and operators were wondering if they should invest in inroom Wi-Fi and entertainment and

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charge guests extra for the service or (no).

What is a nail biting today is whether or not to become a full year Hotel or seasonal place with co working spaces, meeting and convention place or even put up a casino? The changing of customer expectations to concept and interior design is a huge challenge for whoever deeply listens to the experts and thinks about their investments as well as the consolidation of their business.

what variety services it will offer, how it presents in markets and how will staff interacts with guests is part of a concept that should be taken into consideration from the first moment.

WHY DO YOU NEED A HOTEL CONCEPT? Not only do you need one, in the modern hotel landscape you must carry out concept development that sets your property apart as unique, remarkable and a place that creates “excitement” and make guests and customers return.

Hotel investors and hoteliers face huge challenges. On past decades investors and hotels didn’t have to worry about today’s challenges, today not only the Competition is or will be fierce but also customers and travelers demand difference, to book and pay premium rates.

All travelers are in search of unique overall experiences. They don’t only decide between Hotels and Resorts brands but look deep into this or that Hotel offer.

The NEW generation AND OR GENERATIONS are now the most prominent economic cohort and they force hotels to reconsider their approach.

They are a tech-savvy, who get bored quickly and aren’t as loyal to brands as previous generations.

BUILDING A CONCEPT A concept not only integrates the elements of hotel management into a coherent and compelling whole, but should build into a long and wide vision and the creation of a unique story. The definition of what a hotel looks like,

So, you MUST make your hotel to stand out. And you ONLY can do this through

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E D I TO R ’ S N OT E

F O U N D E R ’ S N OT E

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the beginning. Don’t pour money just because you, your friends and family like the idea, hoping that, “someday” you actually see profit. Establish the right concept it drives revenue.

leisure and or business trip?

What does your geographical area want from a hotel also? How can you target and call the attention of different groups or individual visitors who have a wide variety of different tastes, behaviors and look to new excitements?

hotel concept development that aspires to be innovative and offers a unique experience.

The legacy form of segmentation was simple: business or pleasure. But, TODAY it’s not enough. To be effective, it must go much further. Holistic, deep segmentation will go a long way towards informing your hotel concept.

FOR A SUCCESSFUL HOTEL CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT YOU MUST;

What are your future clientele and/ or what are the desired clientele?

Your concept MUST help guests on

REDEFINE YOUR SEGMENTATION

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May I recommend to you to make a brilliant concept that can separate yourself from the mediocre competition or the ones that just do what a Hotel Designer thinks it’s better?

A brilliant concept can bring boundless benefits: it makes you or the operator have full year business; it gives you the right to charge premium rates that will support your partners in having steady supply of customers, visitors guests and it will also attract and retain talented employees looking for a unique place of work.

Embrace criticism of your ideas Always ask for feedback and embrace constructive criticism. Always our own concept or idea seem brilliant to us, but if guests and customers don’t agree, it doesn’t matter? It is VERY important to seek opinions and actively search for criticism from different parties or experts.

It will provide you with vital information for your concept development and the decisions that you are near to take. It’s your money, invest it wisely.

*Founder of

JPHOSPITALITY.EU

Email me at jose.pinto@jphospitality.eu

I have witnessed during decades how many hotel owners or investors running into financial problems by not embracing criticism and feedback from

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E D I TO R ’ S N OT E

F O U N D E R ’ S N OT E

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AN ONLINE COURSE LIKE NO OTHER

T E C H N O LO GY

Elements of AI -

A

intelligence is, what it can do and what it can’t, and how it affects our lives – all in easy-to-grasp terms, with no programming or complicated math. This course, which is available in all official EU languages, lowers the trouble to learn the basics of AI.

Free and open to all, well designed Elements of AI is an online course like no other. It explains what artificial

In Finland, the Elements of AI website and articles written about it have been shared online tens of thousands of times.

The online course itself has been by far the most popular Helsinki University has ever been organised. Hundreds of Finnish companies have signed up for the #AIchallenge to educate their employees about AI. Globally, over half a million people have signed up for the Elements of AI online courses.

different sectors and create new revenue streams. Entire industries are challenged by new technology-backed brands.

The impacts are changing not only the economy but the society as a whole.

In summary, governments should weight AI as heavily as other economic and social improvements.

Unleashing the potential of AI the access to data and proper computing capacity are the keys. The Digital Transformation outlines the strategy for the country with the aim to digitize and make the full use of public administration data. Increasing the computing capacity, make it available for the students, scholars and entrepreneurs and supporting to create innovation ecosystems are all central pillars of any successful digital strategy.

Economic growth will be established with increased work, labour productivity and new investments, as well as the ability of both companies and the public sector to utilise new technologies.

Factors such as investment in research, development and innovations, tech literacy and computing capacity are key to ensuring economic growth and wellbeing of people.

In order to avoid issues such as accuracy, human control, transparency, bias and privacy challenges, its use needs to be carefully and ethically managed.

AI can be used to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of decision-making and to improve lives through new services.

It can be used to solve some of the thorny policy problems of healthcare, infrastructure and climate change. the governments have to find ways to build AI expertise and understanding, both within the public sector but also within the wider community.

Information and communication technology (ICT) is the most significant single technology on which the improvement of growth and productivity can be built.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is like a turbocharger in an ICT engine.

Leaders in all industries need to be thinking whether how and where they should be investing in AI technologies.

They also should understand that AI has the potential to disrupt their businesses in case they do not take the chance.

AI increases the efficiency how things are done. AI generates new products and services. The economy will also benefit from the diffusion of innovations, which will affect

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T E C H N O LO GY

T E C H N O LO GY

I and machine learning are widely acknowledged as key technologies in the future.

A belief that AI is important to business success is increasing. Yet too few people truly understand how AI works.

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JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

The course explains the implications of AI in everyday situations with interactive exercises, so that the students can make informed decisions as workers, voters, media and product consumers.

The Elements of AI course has been prominently featured in over 500 global media outlets, won multiple international awards, and global acclaim.

Now with over 760,000 students and best user ratings around the world, Elements of AI is the benchmark for making complex issues easily understandable and fun to learn.

AFTER TAKING THE COURSE, STUDENTS CAN: • Understand some of the major implications of AI • Think critically about AI news and claims • Define and discuss what AI is • Explain the methods that make AI possible 250+ companies Like us, the State of Finland believes in the value of education.

As a gift marking the end of Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Finland will extend free access to the Elements of AI course in all EU languages during 2020/2021.

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“During Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2019 (the beginning of July until the end of December 2019), many initiatives were introduced including Elements of AI. In Finland, the Elements of AI website and articles written about it have been shared online tens of thousands of times.

The online course itself has been by far the most popular Helsinki University has ever been organised. Hundreds of Finnish companies have signed up for the #AIchallenge to educate their employees about AI. Globally, over half a million people have signed up for the Elements of AI online courses.

The language translations

for the initiative have been provided by the European Commission, more specifically by the Directorate-General for Translation in collaboration with the Directorate‑General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology.

In addition, the initiative was supported by the Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation.”

The Elements of AI (https://www. elementsofai.com/) is

a series of free online courses created by Reaktor and the University of Helsinki aiming to encourage as broad a group of people as possible to learn what AI is, what can (and can’t) be done with AI, and how to start creating AI methods. The courses, which can be done in all the official EU languages.

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ALBANIAN YOUNGSTERS CHOOSE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION, TUMO REGISTERS ITS FIRST 1000 STUDENTS! The Center for Creative Technology TUMO Tirana brings together 1000 creative minds, 1000 youngsters, fond of innovation, technology and art!

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T E C H N O LO GY

T E C H N O LO GY

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exactly the novelty this Center brings over: the intertwining of the art with the technology aiming the acquiring of the proper knowledge by the youngsters while developing the creative and analytical skills in a totally modern and unique place in the heart of Tirana.

opportunities where the youngsters, aged between 12 to 18, can develop the skills of 21st century, can socialize, get to know new friends, get inspired from the work of each other and build strong foundations for their own future.

At TUMO, the Albanian youngsters make a safer and more prepared step towards

TUMO offers

I

n a swift developing world in the field of technology and information, the digital skills are no longer an instant passion but the key to open the doors of possibilities and the personal and professional development.

Acquiring the digital skills of 21st Century is a priority for the Albanian youth. When less than a year has passed by (TUMO kicked off in October 2020), the Center has managed to reach its maximal capacity, bringing together 1000 TUMO students. But such an early success of TUMO is not a coincidence.

teaching laboratories equipped with the most contemporary technological tools, classes, musical and recording studios and open study grounds. The variety of study fields such as Animation, Programming, Filmmaking, Robotics, Graphic Design, Game Development, Music, 3D Modelling makes TUMO a necessity for the community providing the youngsters with new possibilities, contemporary platforms, creative work methods and usual experiences.

Through TUMO Path, an interactive program, created with AI, the students carry out their personalized teaching plan.

The curriculum makes it possible that the teaching plans can be built up through learning during the individual sessions, workshops, laboratories and projects.

All the teaching sessions intend the development of youngsters’ creativity, the teamwork, the analytical thinking as

The traditional teaching system shows that it does not meet the market demands to master the digital skills. If we aim a generation which gets trained sturdily for the future, the efficiently educational premises of teaching development are very necessary. This is

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well as the discovery of their passions and their training in the fields they like most.

TUMO’s professional instructors and mentors encourage the students to develop their performance and orient them in the course of exploring for the information and their creativity.

During their experience at TUMO, the students create their own digital portfolio with their own works and projects. This personal portfolio helps the students to document their acquired skills and facilitate the process of applying for a school or job in the future.

TUMO is not simply a teaching school but a community which offers limitless

the digital world!

Do you want as well to be part of the most innovative center in the country?

Fill out your data in the address https:// tirana.tumo.al/join-us/ and become ready for a different teaching experience.

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T E C H N O LO GY

T E C H N O LO GY

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Eu4innovation’s New Project Coordinator: INNOVATION ALWAYS WILL NEED THE DONOR SUPPORT

BY RUDINA HOXHA

V

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development, humann rights and gender

TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE.

equality and my goal is to see them fulfilled in Albania.

Please talk a bit about your new role within the eu4innovation and what is your goal?

In your view, what benefits do the

I am the Project Coordinator on

eu4innovation offer to the startups

Innovation at “Eu for Innovation Project”

and young entrepreneurs in Albania?

which aims to strengthen the innovation

Do you follow up and measure the

ecosystem and boost start-up creation

success of the supported startup or

in Albania. This project is funded by the

company and if yes, how?

European Union with additional support

First of all, I would like to explain

from the German Federal Ministry for

that Challenge Fund is a financing

Economic Cooperation and Development

facility used as a tool for addressing

albona Dervishi

Challenge Fund has reviewed and

(BMZ) as well as the Swedish

the issue of access to finance for

is the new Project

assessed more than 500 proposals

International Development Cooperation

innovative companies at an early stage

Coordinator on

in the fields of agriculture, tourism,

Agency (Swedish Government). While GIZ

of development as well as for ISOs

Innovation at

digital solutions, business services,

support capacity building for innovation

(innovation supporting organizations) in

“eu4innovation.”

manufacturing as well as circular

ecosystem stakeholders, Embassy of

Albania. Regarding this, I would like to

enterprises.”

Sweden is responsible for funding

add that for the year 2021, Sweden is

innovative start-ups and innovation

in the top on global innovation index.

In her first exclusive interview with Albanian media, Dervishi

“We must recognize that we are in an

support providers through the Innovation

Actually, during the past 10 years

pinpoints that from the launch

emerging start-up ecosystem which

Challenge Fund.

Sweden has consistently been ranked in

of the first call of the Challenge

need further support to become self-

the top three, and it is known worldwide

Fund in May 2019, 39 startups/innovation

sustainable in the long run,” says

I am passionate about sustainable

as one of the most innovative countries.

supporting organisations are being

Dervishi, passionate about sustainable

development and human rights, where

Now we all know that there’s no proven

supported by Challenge Fund (33 start-

development and human rights.

innovation has a strong role to play,

formula for success, particularly when

therefore I believe at the right place at

it comes to innovation but the lessons

the right time engaged with the right

learned the long experience are made

institution as the Swedish Embassy in

available for the startup ecosystem in

Thank you, Mrs. Dervishi, for accepting

Albania a champion of innovation but as

Albania. There are some major areas that

my request for an interview with

well a strong supporter of sustainable

start-ups need to stay aware about and

ups & 7 ISOs) whereas 50% cost sharing has been mandatory for all awarded

Full interview below:

contracts.

Since its start, she assessed, “the

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E U 4 I N N OVAT I O N

E U 4 I N N OVAT I O N

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

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2 Start-ups from 4rth Call, supported by the Challenge Fund

1.Bees and Trees startup one of the 4rth call winner of the Challenge fund.

Founded by Rona Nushi a pharmacist who decided to set up her own skincare and treatment line using fresh and organic ingredients. Bees & Trees is the first Albanian organic skincare brand with a recycling strategy for the packaging and producing – based on EU regulations for cosmetics and product safety PIF. We are happy to support this our project offers to them. Bringing ideas

operation.

startup for further growth, to launch

to life and become sustainable in the

three new products and to succeed on an

long run is never an easy task, actually is

Can you talk in figures; how many

assessed more than 500 proposals

very difficult. Well, let’s say that for start-

Albanian startups has eu4innovation

in the fields of agriculture, tourism,

ups it is easy to focus on the day-to-day

boosted since its inception? What

digital solutions, business services,

2. Funky Cabin also known as a star

routine, especially in the early stages,

about beneficiaries of EU Challenge

manufacturing as well as circular

outdoor hotel under the stars is another

but once they are up and running, there

Fund?

enterprises.

startup among the winners of the 4th

is the need to think about longer -term

From the launch of the first call of

and more strategic planning.

the Challenge Fund we have come a

introduces a new way of

long way. Overall we are supporting

camping in woody hand-made

That’s why through Challenge Fund we

39 startups/innovation supporting

cabins that meet every need

wanted to have an ecosystem that gives

organisations are being supported

in all seasons to bring you

entrepreneurs every opportunity to lead

by Challenge Fund (33 start-ups &

closer to nature without giving

long sustainable companies by providing

7 ISOs) whereas 50% cost sharing

up comfort.

financial support but also in-depth

has been mandatory for all awarded

financial mentoring, legal assistance and

contracts. Since its launch, in May 2019,

The cabins are beautifully

tailor -made support in all their stages of

the Challenge Fund has reviewed and

designed, including traditional

44

international market.

Call of the Challenge Fund. This initiative

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JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

becomes a strength for success.

freelancers as well as start-ups is realizing the opportunities this unlocks. Already today many freelancers and start-ups are

As I mentioned above EU4 innovation

working for European clients.

provide ongoing support to all the

According to data from different studies

startups from the starting phase which

and surveys around the world 90% of

is the idea until producing the final

start-ups fails. 70% fails during years

product.

2 through 5. 10% fail within the 1st year. Now statistics are not intended to discourage entrepreneurs but to support

Eu4innovation is a project funded by the European Union with additional support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) as well as the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Swedish Government). While GIZ support capacity building for innovation ecosystem stakeholders, Embassy of Sweden is responsible for funding innovative start-ups and innovation support providers through the Innovation Challenge Fund.

them work smarter and returning back to Albanian elements that make them even

The study of 2019 “Entrepreneurial

more special and can be placed wherever

Ecosystem in Albania with Focus on

the customer’s desire. This alternative

Tirana” conducted by EU4Innovation

way of spending a night or a weekend

project shows that besides challenges

outdoor is perfect to explore further the

the Albanian ecosystem offers a range

beauty of the rural Albania. Rizvan Kurti

of positive factors the emerging start-

is the founder.

up ecosystem can build on. Albania has a relatively young population – with a

Networking event Swedish residence

median age of 36.2 years and has a high

on Thursday, 20 October 2021: An

ratio of university educated people with

opportunity to exchange experience,

approximately 10,000 graduates every

share good practices and building new

year. Moreover, the Albanian youth is

partnerships.

multilingually educated. Besides English, a majority speaks Italian and other

What according to you is the

European languages due to the high

biggest threat to an innovation

ratio of graduates educated abroad.

project and how often eu4innovation intervenes to help a

With its location at the doorstep of the

startup out?

European Union, an increasing number of

46

Albania we must recognize that we are in an emerging start-up ecosystem which need further support to become selfsustainable in the long run. Collaboration of three main actors is needed.

Government needs to take targeted action to support start-up especially after the pandemic, on the other side innovation always will need the donor support. Regarding start-ups, innovative ideas are sometimes the easy part but making them sustainable is challenging.

Through Challenge Fund we wanted to have an ecosystem that gives entrepreneurs every opportunity to lead long sustainable companies by providing financial support but also in-depth financial mentoring, legal assistance and tailor-made support in all their stages of operation.

Seeing them through is harder and successful entrepreneurs never give up on their idea and find innovative ways to overcome challenges. Based on my experience I have understood that an entrepreneur usually sees opportunities where other see obstacles and this

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JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

SWISSA Led by “Swissness” Concept

BY RUDINA HOXHA

E

xecutive Director of the Swiss-Albanian Chamber of Commerce (SWISSA), Sokol Cili, talks with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE on the Chamber whose establishment came as a need to develop and promote a thriving economic relationship between Switzerland and Albania, as well as to fulfil the ongoing business needs of its members throughout the continuous effort to improve the local economic environment.

Cili underlines that SWISSA has long been missing in Albania for companies of both countries. “We are contacting other chambers in Switzerland to become part of their network, like in Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, and Basel, this is one of the main goals of this year,” he stressed.

According to Cili, SWISSA is committed to delivering high quality services and building trust through the promotion of Swiss values, know-how and knowledge.

From Left to Right: Sokol Cili, General Director of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services, Vincent Subilia and the Co-Founder of the Albanian Swiss Chamber of Commerce (ALSWISS), Fatjon Demneri

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ECONOMY

ECONOMY

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Full interview below:

improve the local economic environment.

1. Can you make a presentation of the Swiss Albanian Chamber of Commerce and what is its mission?

Founded in September 2017, on the 25th anniversary the Embassy of Switzerland hosted a discussion of economic and business links and innovation as a driver for the economy. The new SwissAlbanian Chamber of Commerce was also officially launched.SWISSA founding members are: Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), SGS, SICPA, PWC and SIKA.The mission of the Swiss-Albanian Chamber of Commerce (SWISSA) is to develop and promote a thriving economic relationship between Switzerland and Albania, as well as to solve the ongoing business needs of its members throughout the continuous effort to

VISION & MISSION SWISSA was created to fill the lack of communication channels between the business community of Switzerland and Albania. Therefore, the Founding Members, noting the great potential for economic relations between our two countries and the difficulty of exchanging information and identifying business partners, decided to establish SWISSA as an organization that has long been missing in Albania for companies of both our countries. We are contacting other chambers in Switzerland to become part of their network, like in Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, and Basel, this is one of the main goals of this year.

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It represents a strong commitment to continuing support for economic, social and political transition processes in Albania, building on Switzerland’s long-term presence in the country, and earlier achievements. Over the years, Swiss-Albanian cooperation has grown.

Today, Switzerland is among the three largest bilateral cooperation partners in the country. Albania has achieved substantial progress in political and macro-economic stability.

Switzerland is determined to support the country in addressing theremaining challenges in specific sectors in line with the priorities defined by the Albanian government.

2. How has this Chamber contributed to the development of the trade relations between the two countries?

The stability and prosperity of the Western Balkan countries constitute a fundamental goal of Swiss foreign and security policy. Switzerland’s engagement in the region was initiated in the 1990s, by providing humanitarian assistance and refuge for many people.

Between 1992 and 1997, Switzerland’s cooperation with Albania shifted to a full-fledged programme supporting the transition process. Swiss cooperation has always benefited from a trusted partnership with Albania based on mutual interests. The new Swiss Cooperation Strategy 2018-2021 is rooted in the spirit of the agreements of cooperation between the governments of Switzerland and Albania.

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3. What are the Albanian fields of interest for the Swiss investors and entrepreneurs?

The most common question of the new investitor when they aim to invest in Albania is which are the most profitable sectors in the economy.

Albania is implementing important structural reforms that will support equitable growth, raise productivity and competitiveness in the economy, create more jobs, and improve governance and public service delivery. Albania has many of resources that are not or only little developed: a fantastic geographical location, coastal and inland waters, mountain landscapes, natural food, all kinds of natural resources. Albania

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ECONOMY

ECONOMY

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has the potential to produce enough energy for domestic consumption and export fuels and electric power. Albania’s mineral resources represent an important place because they constitute the raw material base and provide future development prospects for the industry.

The Albanian Government has given a high priority to the investments and the potential foreign investors through liberalization of economic and political framework for attracting them. The sectors of economy considered to be as strategic are: • Agriculture, fishing and forestry • Investment in properties

(Real Estate) • Education • Energy and mining • Finance • Health and other socials services • Industry and trade • Information and communications • Public Administration, Law, and Justice • Transportation • Water sanitation and flood protection • Social Protection Agriculture is an important economic sector for the Albanian economy.

Agricultural production concentrates on wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, vegetables, olives, tobacco, fruits, sugar beets, vines, livestock farming and dairy products.

The industrial sector is concentrated on food processing, textiles and clothing,

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4. What remain the strengths and the weaknesses of this Chamber and what do you expect to improve in the future?

Swissa has the purpose to create efficient platforms to better serve companies from both countries, a platform of exchange and networking at the service of Swiss-Albanian firms in Albania.

The “Swissness” concept represents SWISSA core beliefs about how to conduct activities and it is the foundation of every decisionmaking process. SWISSA is committed to delivering highquality services and building trust through the promotion of Swiss values, know-how and knowledge.

“Switzerland is well-known for the traditional Swiss values of democracy, punctuality, efficiency, first class service and precision.

Swissness represents, above all, the concepts of naturalness, multiculturalness, fairness, neutrality and the reliability”.

As part of SWISSA compliance culture, we have adopted the “Code of Integrity”. This code sets out the principles and behavior that all SWISSA members and employees must follow, in order to build and maintain an ethical culture and demonstrate integrity in all of our activities, as well as compliance with laws, rules and

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regulations.

5. Can you mention any forthcoming fair or event where the Albanian-Swiss multicultural and commercial relations will be in the focus?

Switzerland and Albania have more than 25 years of cooperation together. During the period 2018 - 2021, Switzerland has cooperated with Albania in four areas: democratic governance, economic development and employment, urban infrastructure and energy, and health.

The Swiss support proved to be relevant and contributed to positive changes in the country system aiming to improve living conditions for the Albanian people. Overall, Switzerland has invested approximately CHF 25 Million annually in Albania and this makes Switzerland the second bilateral donor of the country, after Germany.

construction, oil, cement, chemical products, mining, transport and hydraulic energy. The tourism, telephony, banking and insurance sectors are all booming.

For the period 2022 – 2025, Switzerland will continue to work in four areas of engagement.

The cooperation budget of Switzerland with Albania, for the period 2022 – 2025 amounts to CHF 105 million.

As for the part of the fairs, the situation is a bit unpredictable due to the pandemic and the problems it brings but there will be further organization.

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ECONOMY

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well since it is of influence on minerals contents of the foods we consume because when the acidity grows in plants the minerals vanish.

What is alkalinity and pH? The Nobel Laureate Doctor Otto Warburg, who in 1931 was awarded with Nobel Prize in Medicine related to his discovery he did about cancer, discovered that no disease including here cancer as well can survive within alkaline environment. According to his suggestions cancerous cells live in environments with little oxygen, in acidic environments when cancer advances then the body becomes more acidic and the pH gets below 7.35. The scale of pH (the Hydrogen potential) varies from 1 (very acidic) up to 14 (very alkaline or basic) while normal pH of our body goes from 7.35 up to 7.4.

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What are the benefits of alkaline water and are there any side effects?

Certainly alkaline water is very healthy as provides our body with necessary nutrients that help the body to slow the aging and loss of cells function process. Alkaline water supports the slow damaging of the tissues and bones.

Therefore, if we are to list the benefits of this water they would be as following: a) Supports bone density and muscle mass

Unfortunately most of foods that people consume nowadays are full of sugar, chemical preservatives and are genetically modified foods that cause acidity level of the body. Alkaline foods are mainly vegetables, cereals, nuts and natural alkaline water. Supporting your body to neutralize acidity is of essential interest on preserving best health potential. The word pH is an acronym that stands for “potential of hydrogen”. It is a scale of acidity measure or alkalinity of our body fluids. The scale varies from 0-14. The more acidic the solution or the body fluid is the lower the pH is. The more alkaline the body fluids are the higher the pH is. The pH of scale 7 is considered of being normal whereas human optimal pH level goes about 7.4, namely lightly alkaline. The pH depends also from the location it is found in the body, for instance pH of the stomach is the most acidic zone. The pH level is essential for growth of plants as

Getting minerals is of essential role for development of bone structure.

Researchers suggest more vegetables in order to reduce muscles damages occurring with aging known otherwise as sarcopenia. Thus, the alkaline water, certainly followed with an alkaline diet (it would be perfect) supports minerals balance for bone formation, including in this case the level of calcium, magnesium and phosphates. b) Alkaline water ameliorates growth and hormones regeneration, increase and absorption of vitamin D which evidently protects bone and teeth. c) Alkaline water reduces the risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks. d) Reduces chronic pains and inflammations Studies have shown that there is a link

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Nowadays many individuals suffer magnesium deficiency and as result they suffer difficulties of cardiovascular system, muscle pains, headache, sleep disorders and anxiety. Moreover the magnesium is also necessary to activate vitamin D and to prevent vitamin D deficiency. Everything is connected in our body! Nothing functions separately... f) Supports prevention against cancerous diseases The entire body suffers when cells are short of minerals to function properly and efficiently get oxygenated.

between alkaline diet and reduction of chronic pain. Chronic acidosis (when the body has a low pH or acid for a long time) leads to chronic pains of spine, headache, muscle spasm, menstrual symptoms, inflammations and joint pain. A ‘Society for Minerals and Trace Elements’ research in Germany found that 76 out of 82 patients patients, suffering chronic spin pains upon using alkaline supplements on daily basis to regulate pH of their body after four weeks, reported a significant decrease of pains measured with “Arhus low back pain rating scale” method.

Absorption of vitamins compromises with loss of minerals, while the toxins and pathogens get together in the body and weaken immunity system of the body. Can an alkaline diet coupled with alkaline water help to prevent cancer?

There are many controversial data although a research published in British Journal of Radiology found evidence that programmed death of cancerous cells namely apoptosis had more chances to occur in an alkaline body. Prevention of cancer is thought to be connected with alkaline diet as alkaline itself reduces inflammations and risk for cancer.

Furthermore, the alkaline diet has shown to be necessary for some chemotherapy agents requiring a high level of pH in order to react properly and efficiently.

e) Increases vitamins absorption and prevents magnesium deficiency Getting required quantity of magnesium is necessary for the well-functioning of hundreds of enzymatic systems.

g) Supports body weight managing Limiting yourself from consumption of acid-forming foods and eating alkalineforming foods support your body to easily loss weight or to decrease the

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drinking of water improves bloodstream.

It enables nutrients and oxygen to get into our cells and tissues. But consumption of water with 9.33 pH level especially on an empty stomach helps digestion of mucosal plaque coating our intestines. There are various researches showing that consumption of alkaline water helps deactivation of pepsin, the main enzyme that causes acid reflux.

level of leptin. This automatically affects hunger and fat burning effect. Being that alkaline water is of anti-inflammatory properties the body gets potential to keep normal levels of leptin and the person feels content and fed up with those quantities of calories he needs to get. h) Combats free radicals caused mainly from stress and various toxins As far as side effects goes they may appear when abusing with its consumption as it can lead to gastrointestinal disorders and skin irritation. Even high alkalinity may cause metabolic alkalosis which is manifested with symptoms such as vomiting and muscle aches. Alkalosis may result with decrease of free calcium in the body which affects bone health even though the main cause of low calcium level in blood is not because of alkaline water but because of inactive parathyroid gland. However these cases are very rare. So the body hardly ever can suffer from alkalosis due to the fact the foods surround us are so acidic and we have to balance them by all means. And one of the best ways is certainly water intake with the highest pH. Consumption of large amounts of alkaline water may result with damaging of intestinal flora.

Those with diabetes, high blood pressure and high level of fats benefit mostly by consuming alkaline water, moreover another research explains the difference of blood viscosity upon consumption of alkaline water in comparison with common water (viscosity describes the stream of blood through its vessels). So the bloodstream is found to be better at the patients that consume alkaline water.

And that is as a result of increase oxygen circulation. Alkaline water despite other water has alkaline minerals and negative oxygen reduction potential (Oxidation Reduction Potential –ORP). ORP is water ability to act as pro or anti-oxidant. The more negative the ORP value, the better anti-oxidant is.

So the key is equilibrium. We do neither want increased acidity in our stomach nor do we want alkalosis.

Is it preferable to be consumed by people with health problems?

Of course it is. Particularly by those suffering bone diseases, diabetics, cancer, and those with digestive system problems and certainly those who seek to lose weight.

How does this water differ from other waters?

According to a presentation from European Journal of Clinical Nutrition,

Is it adequate for children and if so from which age?

Alkaline water cannot substitute normal water that a baby takes. And that applies

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become more active and come into contact with environmental toxins.

Providing those children with alkaline water will help them to stay hydrated and eliminate toxins.

Always 30 minutes prior or after the meal, One liter per day would be sufficient amount for a healthy child with no health problems.

Furthermore, being that the school semester starts now children should absolutely be provided with alkaline water. Bear in mind that 74% of the brain is contained with water and only 2% of dehydration would be sufficient to have lack of concentration and loss of memory.

especially if the baby is breastfed. And that is due to the fact that the babies that are breastfed or healthy fed not consuming sugar and other unhealthy foods that would cause pH damaging of their body fluids or cause acidity in the stomach. It may be used during a meal (30 minutes prior or after the feeding) but never as a total water substitution.

Pregnant women enjoying good health may use alkaline water as well. In case there is any health problem, doctor’s consultation is definitively advised.

There are contradictory information in that regard, anyway a baby does not need alkaline water. However in cases a baby has underwent a test resulting with low pH then it may use it but never to completely substitute it with natural water. And that depends on the food the mother has taken during her pregnancy or other world nourishing cultures of the world. For instance, Indian food is more acidic and to those children certainly is recommended alkaline water 30 minutes before feeding or after the feeding, 60 ml alkaline water (for children age 0-1).

There is no doubt that children of age 1-5

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Alkaline water is of great contribution for woman’s health considering that the fetus continuously takes from mother the minerals from bones and teeth so consuming alkaline water (30 minutes prior or after the meal) the lost minerals get substituted. The adults may consume up to two liters of alkaline water. And that should be applied always 30 minutes prior or after the meal.

What about the alkaline diet?

Alkaline diet is key to longevity. A 2012 research of ‘Journal of Environmental Health’ found that pH balance achievement by keeping alkaline diet is of influence on reduction of morbidity and mortality including here chronicle

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the fear lessens immune system. That is the only thing that does not serve us at all at the moment.

diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, vitamin C deficiency, loss of bones density etc. Alkaline diet consists of consumption of vegetables, raw fresh fruits that contain a basic or alkaline pH. Furthermore by keeping such diets even the hormones benefits by getting stabilized. The alkaline diet prevents plaques formation in the vessels, stops the agglomeration of calcium in urine, prevents stone formation in kidneys and builds strong bones, reduces muscle spasms and many other benefits. The alkaline diet attempts to balance pH level of body fluids including urine and blood.

And finally one advice for all those who consume and want to try alkaline water Those that consume and have tried it once will hardly change it since its freshness, quality and its good energy are noticeable from the first sips. Let make it your daily part. Alkaline water may be easily found in trade centers.

We are 70% water with alkaline pH. Who better fulfill the conditions for preserving homeostasis? Certainly the alkaline water!

The pH value depends from density of foods we consume. Fruits and vegetables are those that mostly promote alkalinity.

BENEFITS: Protects bone density and muscle mass Alkaline water improves the production of growth hormones and the absorption of vitamin D, which significantly protects bones and teeth Alkaline water reduces the risk of hypertension and heart attacks Reduces chronic pain and inflammation Increases the absorption of vitamins and prevents magnesium deficiencies

The best choice for an alkaline diet are broccoli, mushrooms, Arabic dates, spinach, avocado, cucumber, oregano, garlic, ginger, peas, cabbage, watermelon, fig, seeds and banana.

Apart from alkaline water what else should we consume during the pandemic?

This is the best suitable time to give up meat. Hence, if possible, let’s become vegetarian during the pandemic. Let us embrace use of seasonal fruits and vegetables, no sugar but vitamin C.

Helps protect against cancerous diseases Helps manage body weight Fights free radicals which are mainly caused by stress and various toxins Children should definitely take alkaline water with them.

Let’s not forget that 74% of the brain is made up of water and only 2% dehydration would suffice for lack of concentration and memory loss.

The vitamin C is so fantastic that days and days are needed to talk about it, therefore it is one of the elements that we should always keep in our homes. Do the tests about vitamin D and in case there is deficiency let substitute it. To get out in the sun and not to worry about,

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Camp Nivica, a Glamorous Safari-Style Camping Through Albania’s Wilderness

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BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO travellers to Albania,” Lindberg told TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE.

ustainable tourism is something customers both demand and expect.” That’s why Astrid Lindberg founded in Kurvelesh Highlands (Tepelena) in the Southern Albania the first Swedish investment in sustainable tourism. It is called Camp Nivica.

Camp Nivica accommodates guests as close to the nature as possible.

“Our primary activity is hiking with a trained guide (we are within walking distance of high mountains, uncharted deep canyons and traditional mountain villages), but guests can also enjoy birdwatching (we regularly spot the rare Egyptian vulture flying above our Camp) or relaxing with an interesting book, a glass of wine while overlooking the panoramic canyons,” the Swedish lady invites the interested.

“I first visited Nivica five years ago and I was awestruck by the beauty of the nature and saw this as an opportunity to attract new categories of foreign

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Full interview below:

nature and saw this as an opportunity to attract new categories of foreign travellers to Albania.

How would you define Nivica Camp and how you had this idea to make the first Swedish investment in sustainable tourism in Albania?

What are the advantages of Nivica Camp?

Why should people visit it?

Camp Nivica is “nature luxury”, the first destination in Albania to offer a relaxing glamping (“glamorous camping”), stay in spacious, luxury safari tents in the heart of the Kurvelesh Highlands (Southern Albania). Each “tent” has two beds, a private en-suite bathroom (showers with hot water, wash basin, wc). It is a cosy and unique stay tents in one of Europe’s last remote destinations.

I first visited Nivica five years ago and I was awestruck by the beauty of the

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At Camp Nivica we offer guests the opportunity to explore the wilderness of Albania “safari-style”. Our primary activity is hiking with a trained guide (we are within walking distance of high mountains, uncharted deep canyons and traditional mountain villages), but guests can also enjoy birdwatching (we regularly spot the rare Egyptian vulture flying above our Camp) or relaxing with an interesting book, a glass of wine while overlooking the panoramic canyons.

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from the hectic city sounds.

I think Camp Nivica’s biggest advantage is that we accommodate guests as close to nature as possible (in a comfortable way, of course!) – and it is destination where you as visitor truly can have a relaxing holiday.

(iii) The breath-taking night sky in the mountains. Because the Kurvelesh region had no good asphalt roads till this year, there is very little light pollution. Sitting by our open fire we have gazed at some splendid starry nights - where you can even see the milky way.

Once our guests stay with us at Camp Nivica they are always struck three things: (i) How beautiful and dramatic the Nivica canyons and mountains are.

What is sustainable tourism in your view and how should countries like Albania further nurture it?

(ii) How peacefully quiet the setting is.

There are very few hotels where you completely surrounded by only the noises of nature – and many tourists don’t realise the how soothing it is to be in a destination completely removed

Construction wise, we have tried to build Camp Nivica with as little impact and changes to the nature as possible.

For example, we have tried not cut down any trees or bushes. The Camp is

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For example, most of my staff is from the local village – they have little to no prior experience working in tourism – however after working with guests at Camp Nivica, they are gaining valuable experience and learning what expectations guests might have of us.

During our off-season in the winter, we will have some training sessions in the more classic sense - in cooking, hospitality and guiding – but since my staff now have some work-experience in tourism - we aim a more solid foundation to build and improve upon when it comes to training – rather than having to start from scratch.

develop in cooperation with the local community.

run completely with energy from solar panels and we have our own water line connected to a fresh mountains spring.

Our aim is to be as self sufficient as possible.

We also source to source as much food and produce locally; we grow vegetables from our own garden, meat from our local shepherds and dairy products from the village “Osteria”.

The biggest challenge that Albania faces is the lack of ownership in regards to the plastic waste in the nature – it is by far the biggest challenge. We try to compost our leftover food and separate trash into glass, metals, plastics and burnable trash.

Of course, recycling is tricky in Albania, even more so in such a rural mountain – but we believe that a recycling process is something that we will be able to

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Albania has the advantage of being in its cradle when it comes to tourism development. In an ideal world this means Albania could make the immediate leap to introduce sustainability from the get-go – rather than for it to be a gradual process that takes years.

How did you become interested in sustainable tourism as well as tourism and development?

It is very outdated not to have sustainable approach nowadays.

Today’s travellers are educated on climate change and the environmental challenges we face globally – They want to do “their part” in lessening their

Camp Nivica is “nature luxury”, the first destination in Albania to offer a relaxing glamping (“glamorous camping”), stay in spacious, luxury safari tents in the heart of the Kurvelesh Highlands (Southern Albania). Each “tent” has two beds, a private en-suite bathroom (showers with hot water, wash basin, wc). It is a cosy and unique stay tents in one of Europe’s last remote destinations.

carbon footprint and travel with a good conscience. When booking hotels and destinations, they want to know if a place is a “green destination” or not. In many ways people want to feel like they are part of creating a more sustainable world for our future generations. So nowadays sustainable tourism is something customers both demand and expect.

In your opinion, what are some of the most critical needs in the tourism field in terms of training and education?

“Working with tourism in the mountains is different from working with tourism in Tirana”

Working with tourism in the mountains is different from working with tourism in Tirana. I think the key is to find people you believe in and give them the opportunity – and the time - to develop their skills a through actually meeting tourist. Sometimes the best training is to learn on the job.

BOOK YOUR STAY https://campnivica.com/book-your-stay-1

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G R E E N T E C H N O LO GY

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Patents for tomorrow’s plastics

Global innovation trends in recycling, circular design and alternative sources Excerpt from a a recen study from the European Patent Office.

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KEY FINDINGS | OCTOBER 2021

xecutive summary Our heavy reliance on singleuse plastics (SUPs) has long been of growing concern. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a massive deployment of masks, gloves, disposable test kits, swabs, syringes and medical packaging – all

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made from SUPs. This is just one of many instances illustrating the tension between the social benefits of plastics and the pollution that they cause.

Over the past 70 years, plastics have become an essential material for many industries and indeed for the economy.

However, there is growing awareness

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private and public sectors, this report is a unique source of intelligence on these technologies and the technical problems they aim to address. The report draws on the latest patent information available and the expertise of European Patent Office (EPO) examiners to provide a comprehensive analysis of the innovation trends driving the transition towards a circular economy for plastics.

of the dire environmental cost of this economic success. Today, the bulk of plastic production ends up as waste dumped in the environment, posing a critical and often immediate threat for countless endangered species, ecosystems and dependent socioeconomic systems all over the planet.

The systemic challenge raised by this environmental crisis lies at the heart of the EU Green Deal (European Commission EC, 2019) and of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. To cope with the growing volume of plastic produced, used and dumped in today’s linear economy, the plastics industry has to transition into a fully circular model, where end-of-life plastic products are not discarded as waste but instead become a source of value creation.

Patent information provides robust statistical evidence of technical progress.

The data presented in this report shows trends in high-value inventions for which patent protection has been sought in more than one country.

Innovation, regulation and international collaboration are needed to enable this transition. Progress in technologies related to waste recovery and transformation is crucial to support the systematic recycling of plastic waste and to maximise the value derived from it.

Dominant technologies in the plastics industry often reflect a linear-economy focus on performance and durability.

Nevertheless, further innovation in alternative plastics and designs can also foster the reusability, recyclability and biodegradability of plastic products, or even eliminate the need for plastic usage.

Aim of the study

Aimed at decision-makers in both the

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(IPFs 1). It highlights technology fields that are gathering momentum and the crossfertilisation taking place. Trends in circular plastic innovation have never been more important to the sector’s development.

Therefore, it provides a guide for policymakers and decisionmakers to direct resources towards promising technologies, assess their comparative advantage at different stages of the value chain and shed light on innovative companies and institutions that may be in a position to contribute to long-term sustainable growth.

1. Each international patent family

(IPF) covers a single invention and includes patent applications filed and published at several patent offices.

It is a reliable proxy for inventive activity because it provides a degree of control for patent quality by only

Korea and the People’s Republic of China (each at about 5%). However, all three show a similar lack of specialisation in these technologies. Within Europe, France, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium stand out for their specialisation in both plastic recycling and bioplastic technologies. Although it posted the highest share of IPFs due to its larger economy, Germany lacks specialisation in these fields.

representing inventions for which the inventor considers the value sufficient to seek protection internationally. The patent trend data presented in this report refer to numbers of IPFs. Key findings

The US and Europe stand out as global innovators for a circular plastics industry The US and Europe 2 are by far the main global innovators in terms of efforts to make the plastics industry circular, with about 30% each of IPFs related to the circular plastics industry between 2010 and 2019. 3 They are also the only major innovation centres truly specialising in these technologies. The US, in particular, shows significantly higher revealed technological advantages in both plastic recycling and bioplastic technologies.

4. Specialisation is measured here

using the revealed technological advantage (RTA) index. The RTA indicates a country’s specialisation in terms of circular plastics innovation relative to its overall innovation capacity. It is defined as a country’s share of IPFs in a particular field of technology divided by the country’s share of IPFs in all fields

With about 18% of IPFs in 2010–2019, Japan is far ahead of the Republic of

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of technology. An RTA above one reflects a country’s specialisation in a given technology. Only the highest RTAs (approximately 1.5 or more) are reported in the chart.

Chemical and biological recycling generated the highest level of patenting activities Mechanical recycling is currently the simplest and most commonly used solution to transform plastic waste into new products. It generated nearly 4 500 IPFs from 2010 to 2019, with an increasing focus on addressing the quality degradation issues when recycling plastic waste that is collected post consumer. However, with more than 9 000 IPFs over the same period, it is chemical and biological recycling methods that stand out in terms of the number of IPFs.

recycling processes (such as cracking and pyrolysis). Here, the chemical structure of plastic waste is converted into a mixture of basic chemicals, allowing for flexible reuse in the petrochemical industry.

However, innovation in these technologies reached a peak in 2014.

Emerging plastic-to-monomer recycling technologies now offer possibilities to break down polymers into their original building blocks, allowing for near virginquality material and a larger number of possible cycles. Likewise, recent biological plastic-to-compost recycling represents a comparatively small number of IPFs. This promising technology involves the use of living organisms to degrade polymers into compost.

All these methods require an effective recovery of plastic waste (about 3 400 IPFs from 2010 to 2019), where different

Chemical methods mainly consist of energy-intensive plastic-to-feedstock

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IPFs produced by research institutions in these fields. European countries and the US demonstrate a clear lead with chemical and biological recycling methods, each with 29% of the IPFs stemming from research institutions.

Europe is the only major innovation centre that contributes more to IPFs in upstream research than to all IPFs in the field (26%). By contrast, the US’s and Japan’s contributions to upstream IPFs (29% and 11%) are lower than their respective shares in all IPFs (36% and 17%).

categories of plastics are identified, separated and cleaned before recycling.

Innovation efforts are mainly focused on the sorting and separating of waste, including the use of sophisticated technologies such as optical recognition and artificial intelligence (AI).

Fundamental research is key to further progress in chemical and biological recycling. Europe’s good performance in this respect shows potential to bring new technologies to market.

Chemical and biological recycling methods rely far more on upstream fundamental research than other recycling technologies, with nearly 20% of IPFs stemming from universities and public research organisations (PROs) in the period 2010 to 2019. Innovation in waste recovery and plastic-to-product recycling frequently relies on available technologies and existing engineering approaches, which explains the lower shares (7.4% and 6.8%, respectively) of

This suggests that Europe, despite being particularly active in fundamental research, is not exploiting its full potential when it comes to transferring these technologies to industry. A closer analysis of the IPFs originating from start-up and scale-up companies supports this finding. Although the number of such IPFs increased in the same proportions in both regions between 2010 and 2019, US start-ups

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monomers have been the fastestgrowing field.

Most of the patents in this field relate to so-called “dropin plastics” (i.e.

Bio-PE, BioPET) which, although not biodegradable, allow for a reduced consumption of non-renewable resources and CO2 emissions at the production stage. Among the smaller fields, industrial natural polymers show potential for creating reusable, recyclable plastics that can be readily broken down by microorganisms.

and scale-ups generated four times as many IPFs than their European counterparts (338 versus 84) over the decade.

Bioplastics provide alternatives to conventional fossil raw materials

Bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics show potential for enhancing circularity and reducing the carbon emissions generated by the use of conventional fossil raw materials. Patenting activities in these bioplastics took off in the late 1980s and since then have followed a growth trend similar to that of conventional plastics technologies.

Of these materials, chemically modified natural polymers (such as modified cellulose) generated the largest share of patenting activities over the past decade.

However, polymers from bio-sourced

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Despite accounting for less than 3% of the total demand for plastics in Europe (PlasticsEurope, 2020), healthcare is by far the most important industry in terms of the number of IPFs in bioplastics, with more than 19 000 IPFs recorded from 2010 to 2019. Meanwhile, cosmetics and detergents show the highest rate of innovation in bioplastics. In that sector, IPFs related to bioplastics are at 32% of the level of IPFs for conventional plastics. Packaging, electronics and textiles are also significant contributors to innovation in bioplastics, with 6 400, 4 500 and 3 300 IPFs, respectively, from 2010 to 2019. Agriculture shows a high

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penetration rate (10%) and posted 2.5 times more IPFs for bioplastics in 2019 than in 2010.

7%. Japan leads overall despite a small presence in university research, in stark contrast to Europe, which contributes nearly twice as much to upstream university research than to related patenting activities.

Rapidly emerging technologies allow for novel designs of durable plastic materials

In the early 1990s, technologies focused on plastic design for easier recycling started to emerge and these have been developing exponentially ever since. The rapid growth of patenting in these fields is driven by progress in dynamic covalent bonding, a synthetic strategy employed to form 3D networks of macromolecular chains that can break and reform via reversible chemical reactions. This dynamic reversibility can overcome difficulties encountered in the processing and recycling of the many polymers used in aerospace, construction, transport and microelectronics.

Published and edited by European Patent Office Munich, Germany © EPO 2021

The report can be downloaded from: epo.org/trends-plastics

Where to get additional help Visit epo.org >

> Patent search at epo.org/espacenet > European Patent Register at epo.org/register >

Among recent developments, vitrimers are a promising type of covalent adaptable network (CAN). Vitrimers are strong, stable and intrinsically selfhealing, with potential for replacing thermoset plastics in high-performance and lightweight applications, such as the production of composite parts for aircraft, automotive, sports equipment and wind turbine blades.

Japan demonstrates a strong lead in technologies using dynamic covalent bonds, with nearly half (49%) of related IPFs from 2010 to 2019. The US follows with 24%, while European countries contribute only 17%. However, most of the IPFs originating from universities and PROs are from European and US research institutions (40% and 30%, respectively), while Japan has only

Online filing services at epo.org/online-services > Training at epo.org/academy > Job vacancies at epo.org/jobs > FAQs, publications, forms and tools at epo.org/service-support

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My name is Mikaela Karlsson, I am 26 years old from a city called Norrköping in Sweden and I moved to Albania at the end of August. I moved to Albania to work at the Swedish Embassy and have previously worked at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm.

I love to travel and discover new places and have previously lived and worked in New Zeeland for a year and I did an internship in Brussels for six months.

any new entries have come to the Swedish Embassy in Albania. Mikaela, the political- and communications officer as well as the trade promoter at the Swedish Embassy in Albania, is one of them.

Referring to (Institute of Statistics of Albania) INSTAT, she found out that there were 518 people in Albania with the same name like hers

Something people should know about me is that I always try to do my best and learn as much as possible along the way. I like to challenge myself because that’s how I learn more about myself and develop as a person. How I challenge myself can be everything from moving to new country where I don’t know anyone or starting a new job to skydiving.

In this exclusive interview, her first one in Albania after her appointment, Mikaela shares her views on her new job which she has turned from a real challenge into a curiosity and her big goal in this position. ”I look forward to more cooperation with Albania in all areas. It would be amazing to see universities having exchange programs and Swedish businesses coming to Albania. Expanding contact and cooperation between people, businesses and institutions is something we work with at the embassy a lot,” she said in this interview.

“I am curious and not afraid to ask questions if I don’t understand”

How would you describe the job you do and which of the strengths that you bring to the table do you think is most important in your job?

I am the political- and communications officer as well as the trade promoter at the Swedish Embassy in Albania. As the political officer I report about political developments and current affairs in Albania. My job is also to communicate Swedish values and the work Sweden is doing in Albania, a majority of which is carried out through the development cooperation. I am curious and not afraid

Full interview below: Who is Mikaela Karlsson? What’s the most important thing people should know about you?

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Meet Mikaela Karlsson, the New Blood at Swedish Embassy in Albania

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to ask questions if I don’t understand. I think that it is important when you report on political matters to make it accessible and easy to understand on social media.

One strength that I have is that I am a problem solver which is very useful in my work. This was especially necessary now during my first month in Albania when we had two ministers visiting from Sweden and together with my colleagues my job was to plan and facilitate the visits.

What tips do you have for being productive in your job?

My tips for being productive is to try different systems and routines until you find one that works for you. I think it’s important to understand when and how you are most productive. For example, I’m not a morning person but I know that I am most productive in the morning. I also find time blocking very helpful, where I create blocks of time where I only focus on one thing. I am a routine person and find it important to have plan for everyday to open and close the day in a good way. I close my day by writing out what I need to do the next day on a post-it, that way I’m ready and I know what I have to do the next day. Some people like to have everything written down digitally, I’m a mix of using my digital calendar and a lot of posit-notes to organize my day and my work. It’s all

about knowing yourself and what works best for you, that is the best tip.

we think that to achieve a specific thing you must do certain things, but there is no promise. I really believe in trusting you gut and going for opportunities when they arise.

incredibly kind and helpful but also about the potential and opportunities that are in Albania.

What motivates you most and why?

I am motivated by learning and being better. It doesn’t matter if I’m learning about myself, Albania or EU-decision making, which I worked with before coming to Albania. I love learning and being a bit better at something every day. That motivates me to challenge myself and gather new experiences. It is only by challenging myself that I learn valuable skills and get knowledge that would not be possible otherwise, like moving to Albania.

What are you looking forward to when it comes to the development of Sweden-Albania relations? Any challenges that you are facing?

I look forward to more cooperation with Albania in all areas. It would be amazing to see universities having exchange programs and Swedish businesses coming to Albania. Expanding contact and cooperation between people, businesses and institutions is something we work with at the embassy a lot. I think not many people know that much about Albania in Sweden and that is a challenge. But it is also exciting for me to learn more about Albania and telling people in Sweden about how beautiful it is and how the people are

“It is only by challenging myself that I learn valuable skills”

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How do you like Albania and how do you like spending the free time here?

I love Albania and I can’t wait to travel around to discover more of Albania.

As a newcomer to the country, I can say that I have really seen how people are very kind and helpful, which is very appreciated by someone who doesn’t speak the language and is often a bit lost. Right now, I’ve been discovering Tirana on my free time and getting to know my new hometown for example finding good restaurants and cafés, of which there are a lot. I would like to start traveling around more outside of Tirana and really see as much of Albania as I can.

What advice would you give to the next generation of young female leaders like yourself?

My advice would be to create as many opportunities that you can and take every chance that comes along. You can never have enough experience. You can create an opportunity by applying for an internship or a job, studying or engaging in a civil society organization and later that will open other opportunities.

Everything you do and every choice you make will lead to something else.

You can’t calculate every possibility and every outcome. Sometimes you just must take an opportunity when it presents itself and go with it. I believe sometimes

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VILLA REVIEW A VILLA TO ENJOY LIFE AND NATURE TO THE FULLEST

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his property is within the

Thus the villa will have 7 bedrooms and 4

exgovernmental block in

bathrooms.

Durres city, 37 km from Tirana, and is among the most well-known for its

elegance, space, comfort, peace and its wide opening to the nature and the sea.

Historically the property was used by a former communist official and invitees in the 60s and it has continuously attracted attention and curiosity. With its own totally unique character and charisma, the property takes up a total surface of 500 square meters. Of them, 300 square meters is the villa. It has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Renovations are expected to be made soon, resulting in the addition of another floor, therefore adding 2 bedrooms and one bathroom.

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style, full of elegant and unique objects and spectacular antique furniture, the villa is an oasis of peace while you can Four terraces and a parking lot

The villa grounds have a lot of trees and

(equivalent for 4 cars); one kitchen and

space for extra planting of trees and

an annex, one dining hall, two corridors

endemic species, place for bio garden,

and one large balcony overlooking the

room for setting up a barbecue to enjoy

ground and the ocean.

with the family and friends.

hear and see the uninterrupted view of the sea waves.

With its own totally unique character and charisma, this villa can provide a living that can never be regretted.

The villa is owned by a single foreigner,

A small portion of the building was

In perfect pairing with the calming views

built in the period 1920-1925 while an

around, blended with decade old palms,

addition was made in 1950-1960.

beach and ocean, the villa offers the

Security is guaranteed at the main

chance Fto enjoy a holiday far from the

entrance by patrols. The beach part

crowd and noise and close to nature in

is enclosed on both sides to prevent

one of Albania’s most attractive beach

privacy infringement.

areas. Impeccably decorated in a French

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who is an Albanian resident for more than a decade. This oasis is on sale.

If there is interest on your side to buy this property, please write at jarpin2008@ gmail.com 81

Dubai, the Land Where My Dreams Come True

BY RUDINA HOXHA & JOSE PINTO

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aneem Bou Hussein, Real Estate Agent and a Senior Property Consultant in Dubai tells what it is like working in the real estate industry in this luxurious city of approximately 3 million people in the United Arab Emirates.

“Being a Real Estate Agent in Dubai is No Joke; yet standing out and making an impact in the blossoming property market requires a certain amount of enthusiasm, dedication, commitment, and hard work,” she said in an exclusive interview with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE. The moment I decided to choose Dubai

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the hub where I want to manifest my dreams, she states, I made sure and trusted my intuition for this city.

According to Raneem Bou Hussein, Dubai guarantees Luxurious lifestyle experiences to the residents.

“Looking into the history of Dubai Real Estate market, and after doing my homework perfectly, I can tell that Luxury apartments are on the highest demand of investment in Dubai. The reason behind this lies under the fact that Dubai is systemized in a way to give its residents the Luxurious lifestyle experience. So, everyone moving to Dubai, is definitely looking for such a thing.”

R E A L E S TAT E

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Below is her full interview: Please tell us more about yourself and the job you do.

I graduated from the American University of Beirut with a Bachelor degree in 3 majors, public administration, business administration and political science and a Double minor in international law and civil society in the non-profit sector.

Due to unfortunate circumstances in my home country, I decided to move to Dubai to chase my dream in the land of opportunities.

While having multiple interviews for jobs in my field of study for well reputable big companies, I decided to go for a real estate job interview.

I had zero knowledge about what real estate means, how it is done and the history of Dubai real estate market.

Being a risk taker woman, I decided to give real estate a trial.

I started working on a small scale, where I was allocated, in Marina region, and my job was very straightforward; calling landlords and asking them if they want to rent out or sell their properties.

I used to come to office as early as 7 am in the morning and leave office at 11 pm.

Hustling nonstop on the phone and getting more and more listings.

I established a good foundation of Properties for rent, and soon I started receiving leads and inquiries from people

who were interested to rent.

After doing multiple viewings, the outcome was zero. I wasn’t able to close one single deal.

After 2 months of giving real estate a chance, I reached a point where I didn’t have money to afford my transportation to come to office, I was feeling down and demotivated and I clearly remember that day, where I told my colleagues this is my last day here. But I have a viewing and I already promised the tenant to show him the apartment so I am going to do this.

While I was taking the metro on my way to Marina, I thought to myself, if so many people out there closing deals and doing this, why can’t I do it?

“I had zero knowledge about what real estate means”

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And this question triggered something inside of me that I can do it.

I went to the viewing that day, with a different mindset and surprisingly I closed that deal.

I remember how happy and proud I felt, making my friend 4,000 AED from real estate.

What are the most demanded real estate investments? Luxury apartments, or Villas, full furniture apartments.

Looking into the history of Dubai Real Estate market, and after doing my homework perfectly, I can tell that

Dubailand continues to hold on to the top position which it had taken from Dubai Marina/JBR in 2017. Dubai Marina/ JBR remained the second most popular neighborhood in Dubai, and was followed

by Business Bay, DIFC, Downtown/Burj Khalifa, JVC, JVT, and Dubai Silicon Oasis. While Dubailand, a suburban area, has been experiencing the highest influx of residents, it is still closely followed by three established and densely-populated areas. However, Dubai Silicon Oasis, another suburban neighborhood, has also emerged as one of the most popular areas in Dubai.

Luxury apartments are on the highest demand of investment in Dubai.

The reason behind this lies under the fact that Dubai is systemized in a way to give its residents the Luxurious lifestyle experience. So, everyone moving to Dubai, is definitely looking for such a thing.

And having the supply of such properties low in the market, the demand definitely increased and made from it a great investment with a high capital appreciation.

What are the geographical areas with more demand?

What are the top Real Estate Social Media Platforms used by realtors?

With 8.56% of all move-in requests,

The top Real Estate Social Media

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now in Dubai real estate market, I can say that the future is definitely promising.

To further illustrate this, I would like to give an example of a very nice community in Dubai Hills Called “Maple” developed by the very famous EMAAR properties.

Maple community was launched in 2015 with 3 bedrooms townhouses priced at 1,670,000 AED. Now, the same 3-bedroom townhouse is priced at like 3,800,000 AED.

Platforms used by realtors fall under Instagram as number one followed

by Facebook, Youtube, LinkedIn and recently Tiktok.

Where do you see the Dubai real estate market in five years and 10 years?

This gives us a glimpse on the capital appreciation these properties appreciated over 6 years.

In addition to this, the short-term effect we have just witnessed of EXPO 2020 is Remarkable. With 1,000,000 visitors on the very first day, our expectations are growing higher towards big investments and more exposure of Dubai towards the middle of the EXPO.

“I made sure and trusted my intuition for this city”

Whenever am I asked the question, where do You see Dubai real estate in 10 years, I immediately reply with one question, where was Dubai 10 years ago?

You can directly point out the tremendous changes that happened over the last 10 years with the demonstration of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashed Vision.

Speaking of figures, we are witnessing

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How influential has Dubai city been on the progress of your career?

Being a real estate agent in Dubai is no joke; yet, standing out and making an impact in the blossoming property market requires a certain amount of enthusiasm, dedication, commitment, and hard work.

The moment I decided to choose Dubai the hub where I want to manifest my dreams, I made sure and trusted my intuition for this city.

The diversity of people living here, the vision of the Rulers, the demonstration of each and every promise made from Dubai the land of dreams come true.

I do believe there is much more for this city to offer career wise and I definitely trust the process.

I can tell that Luxury apartments are on the highest demand of investment in Dubai.

The reason behind this lies under the fact that Dubai is systemized in a way to give its residents the Luxurious lifestyle experience. So, everyone moving to Dubai, is definitely looking for such a thing.

With 1,000,000 visitors on the very first day, our expectations are growing higher towards big investments and more exposure of Dubai towards the middle of the EXPO.

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thanks to the use of system profiles. A number of different building structures such as car parks, office complexes, shopping centers, multi-purpose properties and public buildings can be showcased uniquely and economically using FACID. General characteristics.

Mr. Dhimosten Papa, that brought to life this wonderful project.

The system itself, Schűco Facid (textile façade system), was new to our company.

Anoria Showroom is the second project realized in Europe using Schűco Facid textile façade. Facid 65 was the basic system solution.

The textile façade Schűco Facid offers:

ANORIA FROM A TO Z PROJECT NAME: ANORIA SHOWROOM LOCATION: TIRANA-DURRES HIGHWAY, KM 1, MEZEZ, TIRANE Schűco Facid – The flexible façade ABOUT THE SYSTEM. The demand for functional, flexible façades continues to increase. This makes it even more important for architects, investors and building users to be able to enjoy new creative freedom. FACID makes it possible to create adaptable façade concepts which can be used to showcase a range of different buildings structures in a more attractive way. This exceptional, functional design freedom means that the textile façade offers sophisticated system technology

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with significant benefits. The result is an impressive, intelligent solution which meets the increasing requirements for architecture.

FACID combines the advantages of curtain walling with almost unlimited design options and a high degree of flexibility for architects, investors, and users of the building.

The flexible uses of FACID mean that the façade can be adapted and shaped to fit a wide range of supporting surfaces. This creates unique designs which can be quickly adapted while the building is operational

- Freeform design, brand recognition and an individual link to the surrounding environment thanks to a vast range of design options - Patented system technology, guarantees clamping without folds as well as easy installation and removal of the fabric - Unique façade structure is achieved thanks to the three-dimensional designs - Use of lighting and light effects can be used, to give the building an inclusive, individual look - Existing building structures and windows can be covered with Schűco Facid - Sun shading properties prevent the rooms from heating up and reduce operating costs - The fabric itself can be printed with company logo and offer outdoor advertising for the whole building, vast dimensions of which can make possible viewing and recognition from huge distances - High tech fabric offers effective screening, sun shading, glare protection and weather resistance - The fabric does not impair the clear views from inside towards the outside - Daylight and transparency, despite the coverage of the windows

Definition of all details was implemented by our technical office with the valuable assist of Architect Orion Marku, who prepared the executive project.

The project itself was challenging for all of us, since project idea included some curved areas, which meant curved profiles to be delivered to our Partner.

Another critical point was wind loads and sustainability of this textile façade. Subconstruction was made in steel beams connected on the concrete levels in the rooftop, as well as on the ground floor, which served as a load bearing point for the construction itself.

Before starting production and installation, we covered full training for our Metal Producing Partner. A visit to Germany was organized, and training took part in the Schűco Facid Company for a whole week.

Material was delivered to Anoria Company facility, where on site production and installation started. The whole duration of this process was made in several months, as weather conditions sometimes were really challenging.

ANORIA history timetable: Project idea was realized by X-Plan Studio architectural bureau, Architect Mr. Jurgen Memishaj.

It was the innovative and out of the box thinking of the Owner of Anoria Company,

All the efforts and commitment of all above mentioned people, brought to life this outstanding project!

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Inspired by Anoria project, Trailblazing Magazine sat with Arbi Hasani, Sales Representative of AluKönigStahl in ALBANIA, to talk about the innovative spirit of AluKönigStahl and its vision to quest creative investors and architects to help make its uncommon projects a reality.

This is an interesting question with a wide range of answers. We are conscious of the fact that Architects always want the best aesthetics elements for their projects of course combined with the best quality. These two topics are strictly related to the price, for which Investors are more careful.

Full interview below:

We are a dedicated team in between our Partners and help them successfully merge their needs to a perfect balance, so that everyone is satisfied with the final product.

Does AluKönigStahl think that the facade is the face of innovation in building constructions?

Façade is more than the face of innovation in buildings. It also shows the character of the building. Furthermore, it is a passport for it, which opens the doors to magnificent opportunities.

AluKönigStahl In Search of Visionary Investors and Architects

BY RUDINA HOXHA

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Does the cooperation between AluKönigStahl and Anoria company confirm the saying that “Innovation needs an opportunity”?

Yes indeed. But to successfully complete the given opportunity, someone needs the right vision.

Will AluKönigStahl make other similar innovative projects with other companies?

Off course. We are already implementing few interesting but difficult projects for the moment being. We are always in search to visionary Investors and Architects, to help them bring their project ideas to life!

When deciding on uncommon façades, which part prevails for AluKönigStahl: the price / quality / aesthetics elements?

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contribute to individual startups and to the ecosystem as a whole, and the contribution is always welcomed.

What key lessons can you share with the Albanian startups when it comes to startup consultancy and mentoring?

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ne of the well-known startup mentors from Israel, Eliav Rodman shares with the Albanian startups many lessons and tips from his long experience, among which the following: “Take a page out of the Startup Nation book (Startup Nation).

But what I mean in a broader sense is to adopt some of the mentality that has helped Israel become THE Startup Nation. On the other hand, being an experienced mentor in a few accelerators (MassChallenge, AtoBe, BizLabs and some additional projects), he is ready to commit himself in helping Albanian startups.

One of the key lessons I can share with Albanian startups is to take a page out of the Startup Nation book (there is an actual Startup Nation book, by the way, which coined the phrase is certainly recommended reading). But what I mean in a broader sense is to adopt some of the mentality that has helped Israel become THE Startup Nation. One of those key elements today is a vibrant ecosystem of individuals, companies and investors.

Full interview below:

Seek consultancy and mentorship wherever it comes from. Encourage and lobby your government and business sector to invest in entrepreneurs and emerging technologies, especially in areas where you have expertise or an unfair advantage. Sometimes a truly local advisor will be key to understanding the market. Often, and especially if your aims are global, reaching out and taking advantage of the global ecosystem is highly recommended. Mentorship can come in many forms - often highly specialized in a particular discipline or another.

In your view, why do startups need mentoring? Does it always work out?

When it doesn’t?

ELIAV RODMAN:

It would be an Honor to Meet and Mentor an Albanian Startup

BY RUDINA HOXHA

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One of the most important lessons I’ve learned about startups, and in particular growing startups, from an early stage, is to remember that we know less than we think we do. What does that mean? The assumptions that we make are critical in determining the path to product-market fit and inevitably growth and profitability.

It doesn’t make any sense to reinvent the wheel, and mentors are a great source of someone else’s institutional knowledge.

They can help propel you forward and potentially save you lots of time and resources by pointing you in the right direction. As an experienced mentor in a few accelerators (MassChallenge, AtoBe, BizLabs and some additional projects), I can say that there are many ways to

Are you familiar with the Albanian startups landscape and will you be ready to mentor some Albanian startup companies?

On a personal level, while I’ll admit the

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Albanian startup scene has not yet made its mark, I am always happy to pay it forward and contribute to startups anywhere. Emerging markets and pockets of innovation are cropping up around the world. It would be an honor to meet and mentor an Albanian startup.

As the world shrinks and communication becomes easier, graphical location becomes less of a barrier and more of an opportunity.

Can you make a panorama of the Israeli startup landscape? What makes this panorama become more and more colorful and vivid?

One of the fascinating trends occurring in Israel today is the evolution of the ecosystem from the Startup Nation to the Scale-Up Nation. Whereas only a few years ago Israel was a global powerhouse in spinning out startups, not many homegrown companies turned into large companies. Global tech giants

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have long favored Israel as a location of R&D, often placing their centers alongside Israeli’s leading universities, and competing for talent with startups, further pushing the tech sector and encouraging healthy competition and innovation.

One of the dramatic changes that has occurred and in the past years, and has only increased on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, is the emergence of not a handful but an astoundingly high number of tech “unicorns” (companies with a valuation of $1B and more). Some now call Israel the “Unicorn Nation”!

Israel’s tech sector once again broke capital-funding records, with firms raising a total of $17.78 billion in 575 deals since the start of 2021, almost double the total raised in all of 2020, itself a record year. This exciting trend is a product of the maturation of Israeli entrepreneurship and the tech economy, and further propels healthy competition and growth.

What is the added value of a startup mentor?

To answer this, I have to go way back and invoke some traditional sources. In the Talmud, Rabbi Chanina remarked, “I have learned much from my teachers; I have learned more from my colleagues than my teachers; and I have learned more from my students than from all of them” (Babylonian Talmud, Taanit, 7a).

This source of ancient Jewish wisdom captures the essence of the added value of mentorship for me. We are all constantly learning, and often learning

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with a mentor it is important to have a schedule structure, some regular interval for meetings, and specific KPIs or challenges you’re looking to solve that give direction to the conversation and a tangible, albeit tactical, outcome.

In my experience, from these basic conversations and goals it is possible to access a more strategic level of planning.

Without being anchored in something concrete, the conversations might be very interesting but not practical, and difficult to follow up on. It is also very important to choose mentors who not only have expertise in the problem you’re trying to solve but some understanding of the industry that you’re in. When there is some familiarity with the market or industry the advice they can give becomes more specific and less general.

This usually contributes to more practical outcomes. Don’t go into a mentorship process with only the willingness to listen, but reserve time and resources to action some of the advice that you receive. Best of luck - it’s an exciting journey!

by doing. Some of the best opportunities for learning are truly found through helping others and learning in turn from them. As a startup mentor I am constantly kept fresh with new ideas, presented with new challenges, and asked difficult questions. This is one of the best ways to stay sharp, keep in touch with the latest opportunities and trends, and take an active part in the ecosystem.

I see many people self-calling themselves a mentor. According to you, who can be a mentor? What are the features of a true startup mentor?

The title is less important - the value provided is key. In that sense, anyone who has what to contribute and is willing to give of themselves to others can be a mentor. Accelerators (such as MassChallenge) and other organizations that help form a structure, also provide a critical service in vetting, matching and facilitating these relationships. Some programs are global, some inherently local, some have been around for a while and some are limited engagements, but in all cases, provide a critical service.

A good startup Mentor is willing to contribute not only their time and expertise but also is interested in learning more and tracking the progress of the startup over time.

“

I have learned much from my teachers; I have learned more from my colleagues than my teachers

Do you have a message for the Albanian startup companies when it comes to how to make the most of the mentorship?

To make the most of the relationship

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hen I first heard it,

meanwhile there is knowledge produced,

I thought, “yeah,

connections built, ties among universities

good luck seeing

and business strengthened, and mindsets

that embraced that

changed for the better.

easily in transition

economies”; and I am by all accounts

EU for Innovation project has been the

a die-hard optimist. Yet, you cannot

primary promoter of Tirana Inc.

but realize the challenge such mindset

Additionally, we have had since the

represents for most, in contexts where

beginning the unconditional support of a

the resources are scare (in terms of

core group of faculty members from the

know-how, human capital and finances),

five founding universities, true agents

trust is low, and thinking long-term

of change that have intermediated the

constitutes often times a privilege. 9 out

communication among the program top

of 10 companies in Albania are SMEs or

management, students and mentors from

Microenterprises, often in survival mode.

their respective institutions. Many after

Such predicament produces a culture

- office hours have been spent thinking

much more conducive for competition

about the program and its effective

than cooperation.

communication to the students, which led to a remarkable expression of interest by the applicants.

But after the experience with Tirana Inc.

Give, Give, Give, Ask

here I stand, corrected. So many have given so much to make this initiative

Our mentors, diaspora mentors and

come to life based solely on the premise

speakers have shared valuable insights

that it brings an added value to the

and inspiration with the teams.

community of student entrepreneurs and

Our Dutch partners, Preneurz.

to the entire ecosystem as such.

Amsterdam, the designers of the program, have been very generous

Instead of the typical “tit for tat”

with their time, tailoring the program

approach often encountered in our

to the local specificities (teams, ideas).

reality, we faced both: the farsightedness

They have gone the extra mile to make

to support for a long-term impact and

sure that after the program as much as

MANY ECOSYSTEM BUILDERS AND ACTIVE ACTORS IN INNOVATION

the clarity on what such impact means.

possible know-how is transferred to the

AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP NETWORKS.

It goes beyond the performance of the

local team and a validated methodology

incubated start-ups once they graduate

remains in place.

“GIVE, GIVE, GIVE, ASK” IS A RECURRING MANTRA AMONG

from the program because in the

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Credins Bank is one of the 5 largest banks in Albania, the first bank in the market for the loan portfolio and the second for total assets and deposits.

A universal bank that offers banking products and services that cover 360 degrees the requirements of our customers and empower

providers of telecommunications services Albtelecom has an extensive fiber optic

individuals, families, businesses and

network connecting 90% of municipalities

institutions. Established in 2003 as the

in the country.

first bank with Albanian capital, Credins

Albtelecom is the first choice of our

continues to stay true to its mission to be

customers as offers a wide range of

the number one choice for Albanians and

co, INNVEST, media partners: Albania

services not only to individuals, but also

the Albanian-speaking space.

Tech, PC World Albanian, Trailblaizing

to small, medium, and large enterprises,

Magazine, Business Magazine, coworking

as well as corporations, and institutions,

Credins Bank is also supporting Tirana

We have also had a number of sponsors

To all of you, we are truly thankful!

providing direct financial support like: Albtelecom, Credins Bank, technology

Elona Karafili

for Tirana Inc. (Huawei), mentoring sessions Uplift, PwC, division5, Cloud68.

OUR SPONSORS

spaces: Coolab and Innospace, and

Albtelecom is an experienced company

through the best telecommunications

Inc. by sharing expertise from their

others support partners like ICC Albania,

with over 108 years of presence in the

business experience, the Smart Business

experts with the teams and providing

Balkans Capital, Start Up Grind and

market, and it continues to be , the

platform.

also a prize money for one of the best

Uplift.

first choice of telecommunication for Albanians.

A myriad of ecosystem partners,

ideas in the demo day.

ALBtelecom is supporting Tirana Inc. by sharing expertise from their experts with

innovation actors, co-working places,

With a clear, consistent, and distinct

the teams, and providing also a prize

incubation/acceleration programs, media

identity in all points of contact with our

money for one of the best ideas in the

partners, etc. have provided support

client, Albtelecom provides the best

demo day.

and synergies, making for a very vibrant

services of: internet, mobile, IPTV, and

Huawei is a world-leading company

and dynamic landscape for Tirana Inc. to

fixed.

in information and communication technology (ICT). Through the

position itself in.

commitment to innovation and

Moreover, as one of the largest

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I N N OVAT I O N

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of Directors, other young, seasoned entrepreneurs, mentors, experts, and representatives from the private and public sector.

The feedback received strong customer-centric partnership,

was quite

their mentors, relevant business ideas,

positive, showing that the teams have

Huawei has laid the foundations of

AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM

strategies for developing their startups,

telecommunications in networks,

IN THE FIRST 5 WEEKS.

and new collaboration opportunities.

devices and the cloud system in

Tirana Inc. has been incubating ten

computing. People at Huawei are

talented startup teams for five weeks,

The program has continued intensively

committed to creating maximum value

and we can say for sure that we are on

with online sessions, workshops,

for telecommunications operators,

the right path to becoming the first

coaching, and mentoring sessions for five

companies and customers by providing

destination for student entrepreneurs

weeks now.

competitive solutions and services. Their

with a business idea.

products are distributed in over 140

We started our incubation program on

The teams are gaining valuable insights

countries, serving more than a third of

the first week of September by holding a

on Customer Development, Value

the world’s population.

boot camp for the ten teams selected to

Proposition, Revenue and Pricing, Startup

Huawei is supporting Tirana Inc. by

be trained around their business ideas.

finance by the best professionals to make

enriching our mentoring sessions with

The Bootcamp was organized over three

them define their business model better

one of the smartest telecommunications

days on the premises of Polis University,

and gain an entrepreneurship attitude.

equipments in the world, Huawei Idea

one of the founding universities where

Hub, a productivity tool for the smart

prospective entrepreneurs had the

With demo day fast approaching (in

office — bundles intelligent writing, High

opportunity to meet program mentors

December 15th), the teams had their first

Definition (HD) video conferencing and

and other teams. During the Bootcamp,

dry run in mid-October. They pitched

wireless sharing.

the groups discussed at length with

their ideas in front of their peers, Board

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the right potential to turn their ideas into successful businesses, even beyond the 100 days of Tirana Inc.

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Anaida Deti: I AM LIVING A DREAM DENTAL X, A VERY UNIQUE OPTION FOR THE PUBLIC

BY RUDINA HOXHA

“I

cannot say much at this point, as it is still early, but I can say that I have many important projects I am working on. I can only say that I am living a dream, that I had not even imagined all this in my wildest dreams, but I guess beautiful things happen. I love what I do and I look forward to every morning to wake up and do what I love. My dreams inspire and motivate me every day, I have so many things I want to do and I wake up every morning trying to work very hard towards achieving them.”

This is how the conversation starts with Anaida Deti, the first Albanian Entrepreneur who took the Cover of Forbes Magazine making proud all the Albanians all over the world.

First, she and her family emigrated to Italy in 1997 unsure of their safety following the 1997 unrest. Later Anaida and her husband went to Canada where they started everything from the scratch. She founded Dental X company in Toronto 2013. “DentalX is a very unique, it is slightly different from a traditional dental office because we focus more on the preventative side of dentistry. The office also looks different, it feels like you’re in a spa rather than a dental office. We offer many different relaxing techniques for the patients making the dental appointment more comfortable and less intimidating. We specialize in seeing nervous patients that do not like going to the dentist.

Our warm environment and approach make them more comfortable,” Deti told TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE.

ANAIDA DETI

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Full interview below: Congratulations for being the first Albanian on the Cover of Forbes Magazine making all of the Albanians all over the world PROUD. How do you feel about this? To whom do you dedicate this success?

Forbes has special issues where they feature business people giving business tips on how to be successful. Very often, big companies look for people that are not known to the public so they can be inspirational to the general public.

People don’t always want to see Mark Zuckerberg or Jeff Bezos, they want to see normal people like them doing well so they believe that anyone can reach a lot of things, they are not unreachable, and be successful.

Mindful Media Pr contacted me, which is one of the most successful Pr companies of North America, as recognized by Forbes. The founder of this company, is the youngest Canadian that has travelled

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the world in a very short time and he sits in the Forbes council. He has been in Albania as well and he has a great respect for Albanians. Him and his company have millions of followers in their social media platforms and are well known for their work.

They had heard about me and wanted to talk to me, after a few interviews with them, they told me I would be a very inspirational person for the public. In the beginning I thought it was a joke, as I said to myself, “it’s like Forbes needs my business tips”.

But I guess it did and it happened, after my story had passed a few acceptance phases, the council had decided that I would not only give business tips, but I would add my personal story as well to inspire as many people as possible.

Now the same company, has offered me to work with them for some new projects. Also, I am working with Natasha Grano, she is an inspirational speaker, known as the female version of Tonny Robbins. I cannot say much at this point, as it is still early, but I can say that I have many important projects I am working on. I can only say that I am living a dream, that I had not even imagined all this in my wildest dreams, but I guess beautiful things happen.

I love what I do and I look forward to every morning to wake up and do what I

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love. My dreams inspire and motivate me every day, I have so many things I want to do and I wake up every morning trying to work very hard toward achieving them. Also, my kids motivate me to work hard and show them that you can do and achieve everything you want by working hard and smart.

What is Dental X and what makes it stand out among all its competitors?

DentalX is a very unique option for the public. It’s slightly different from a traditional dental office because we focus more on the preventative side of dentistry. We also offer longer dental appointments that include more extensive oral hygiene instructions that incorporate a lot of visuals.

The office also looks different, it feels like you’re in a spa rather than a dental office. We offer many different relaxing techniques for the patients making the dental appointment more comfortable and less intimidating.

We specialize in seeing nervous patients that do not like going to the dentist. Our warm environment and approach make them more comfortable.

Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?

I was born in Albania, a very small country in Europe. I immigrated to Italy in 1997, as in Albania there was a civil war at the time. I was only 16 years old at the time and my parents were very scared that something bad would happen so they decided that it would be better for us to move there. The journey was not easy, I was working and going to school at the same time. After finishing high school, I decided to go to dental school.

It was my dream since I was a little girl to be a dentist. Dentistry was something that had always fascinated me. This does not mean that I wasn’t terrified to go to the dentist! Sure, I was, but I also found it very interesting. I used to say that when I become a dentist, I will help all the people who are scared like me, to look forward to their dental appointments.

“I love what I do”

My patients and my staff believed in my vision and saw something in me that other dental offices did not have, which is a good relationship between myself and them. My passion for the dental field and my commitment to taking care of patients was conveyed in the best way possible, and this made them believe in us.

Now I see kids looking forward to their dental appointments, and adults as well.

In 2002, I met my husband and we decided to immigrate to Canada. We were two young people with big dreams and not much else. We had very little information, but when you are young you don’t think too much. When we came to Canada, things were not as easy as we thought. I didn’t speak English and my school meant nothing here, so I had to start everything from scratch. It

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The beginning was very hard to say the least, but now I have an awardwinning dental clinic in Toronto and I am in the process of opening my second location. My main reason that I decided to start the dental business was to have patients that were scared going to the dentist look forward to their dental appointments.

Then everything else that came with it, was a bonus.

was quite difficult to say the least, but I was very determined to do something with my life and this was my chance. A lot of people did not take me seriously and that made me work harder and prove to myself and everyone around me that I can do it. After many years of school and getting my license, I founded DentalX in 2013. Initially, DentalX started with only me, booking appointments in my car and seeing patients in the late afternoons or Sundays after I worked all day for other dental offices. Then, my next three offices I shared with other dental professionals until I was able to open my own office in 2016. The day that I signed the lease, I felt sick, I had a sore stomach and the only thing I could think of was how was I going to be able to pay the rent. But I can say that I was able to pay the rent and some more.

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I have won many awards during these years locally, nationally and internationally (please see below).

My story has been recognized as a success story and I have been featured in many Tv shows, magazines, newspapers, online platforms and more. I have been a part of an international book project, The Mind of Female Entrepreneurs

by Global Woman. I have been a dental blogger for Huffington Post and Thrive Global.

---2016 Patients’ Choice Award Winner by Opencare 2017 Urban Hero Award for Exemplary Community Leadership in Health 2018 Community Service Award from the Ontario Dental Hygienists’ Association 2018 Best Dental Office from the CHCH TV Business Excellence Awards Silver Medal 2018 Business Who Gives Back from the CHCH TV Business Excellence Awards Gold Medal 2018 Top3 Outstanding Women for Entrepreneurship and Business in the GTA from Waterfront Awards

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2018 The Bizz Award Business Excellence Award by the World Confederation of Businesses 2018 North York Mirror’s Readers Choice Award Winner for the Best Dental Office

by Metroland Media 2018 CDHA Superhero Competition Finalist, Top 21 out of 818 nominations across Canada 2018 Veuve Clicquot New Generation Award Finalist, Top5 in Canada 2018 Women of Inspiration Finalist from the Canadian Business Chicks 2018 Silver Stevie Winner for Women in Business for Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Canada – 2nd place 2018 One Planet Awards Gold for Female Entrepreneur 2018 One Planet Awards Gold for Female Professional of the Year 2019 Peak of Success Award by the World Confederation of Businesses 2019 North York Mirror’s Reader’s Choice Award Winner for Best Dental Office 2019 RBC Top 75 Canadian Immigrant Awards Finalist 2019 The Winner Awards for International Business Excellence in New York City 2019 Bronze Stevie Company & Organization of the Year in the Health Products & Services category 2019 Gold Stevie Entrepreneur of the Year in the Health Products & Services category 2019 Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Canada, Gold Award 2019 Gold Winner for Excellence

in Industry Woman of the Year in Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Biotech, Health Products & Services 2019 Gold Winner of the 2019 Female CEO of the Year in Canada 2019 Urban Hero Awards - Business Category winner, People’s Choice 2019 Woman of Inspiration Indigenous Leader Award 2019 Stevie Awards for Women in Business, Bronze winner for Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Canada 2020 The Corporate Vision Magazine Most Influential Leader in Healthcare – Toronto 2020 CEO Today Business Women of the Year Awards 2020 Stevie International Business Awards, Bronze winner for Entrepreneur of the Year in Health Products & Services 2020 Stevie Women in Business Awards, Bronze winner for Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Canada 2020 Readers’ Choice for Best Dental Services in North York 2020 THE BEYOND SUCCESS Award 2020 Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year by International Business Magazine Awards 2020 Business Leadership and Outstanding Contribution to Healthcare

by Business Worldwide Magazine 2021 CEO Today Business Women of the Year Awards 2021 Global 100 – Best CEO of the Year – Canada

“My story has been recognized as a success story”

What are the three main features

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“It broke my heart seeing patients, especially kids in pain and cannot afford the treatment.” covered by the government. It broke my heart seeing patients, especially kids in pain and cannot afford the treatment.

that makes the services of Dental X the best? How has innovation and technology affected them?

Our warm environment

That is why, I came up with some programs that I can help as many people as possible in the community.

Our gentle touch Passion for what we do Our office has state of the art technology which makes treatment better and easier to understand for the patients.

How would you contribute to the community/world beyond your dental practice? What will you do to prevent communities from being underserved in terms of dental care?

While working with different patients everyday, I saw that people are in huge need of dental care and most of them cannot afford it, especially newcomers, refugees and low income families. Dental work is very expensive here and it is not

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I founded Mission Kind (Kids In Need of Dentalcare), to help children aged 6-16 obtain much needed dental work at no charge.

Every December our office offers free dental/dental hygiene services to people in need. In December 2017, we offered free services to 30 people from the Red Door Family Shelter. And not only that, we had a whole day planned for them, with lunch, a magic show, Santa made an appearance and gave the kids Christmas gifts and much more. This story was featured on Global News and Yahoo Canada to name a few. Last December, we offered free services to teenager moms that cannot afford dental services.

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to speak. Iliana speaks better Albanian than Samuel.

We had a whole day planned for them and their kids.

Can you tell us a bit about your family and how they have supported you in this long journey?

My name is Anaida Deti, born in Durres, Albania on March 22, 1981. I come from a simple working family, my father Asim Deti originating from Shkodra, has been a sailor for over 40 years while my mother Diana has been a housekeeper even though she has studied Accounting and Finance. Since my father has always been away, my mom had to take care of us three kids. I have an older sister, Manila and a younger brother Endri. My sister is married, has a son and lives in northern Italy. My brother is also married, has a son and a daughter and lives in Italy near our parents. Our childhood was quite normal, considering the times that Albania was in Communism till 1990 when the regime was changed to Democracy. Whoever has lived in Communism knows how hard life is and understands the difficulties of that time.

My husband is from Elbasan and he has a glass factory along with another Albanian partner. We live here and with his parents, now with his mom, the dad died five years ago. My husband’s mother has helped us a lot with our children and our home. Without her help I would not have been where I am today. I have a son Samuel Patrick 17 years old and Iliana Sara 6 years old. The children understand Albanian very well as they have grown up with grandparents, but they have difficulty

When I had just started the business, I got pregnant with my daughter. I had some complications during the pregnancy. My daughter was a twin but I lost one of them. Due to this, my pregnancy was considered high risk and the doctor told me I had to be in bed for the 7 months remaining. I told the doctor I cannot do that, I had to work. She made me sign and told me I was nuts for doing this. Unfortunately, I had no choice. I tried to be very careful, I was very scared and I do not know if I would ever forgive myself if something would have happened to my daughter.

But my daughter is a fighter just like me, we made it and she is this amazing little girl that completed our family. I worked till the last day of my pregnancy. The delivery went very well, she was just perfect. After 3 days I had her, I had to return to work, I really had to. When the people saw me at the door, they could not believe their eyes. For the first two months, I had to drive home for lunch to breastfeed her and go back to work again. It was very hard.

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Wine Tour in Albania

BY FABJOLA ARAPI

T

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

here is no doubt that Albania has been a winemaking country since ancient times, known for its vineyards spread on its gentle hills. A blessed country, Albania is home to excellent and unique Mediterranean wines, with an ampelographic heritage telling the oenological history of our country.

Clashes between gladiators, generals, armies, wars coming one after the other, all have been accompanied by the best of the companions — the wine — amidst the hotbeds of power. It was exactly this need for the vineyard that came

to my mind while thinking of a way to encourage you to follow this journey, to visit the wineries and taste the wine of Albanian producers.

Wine production is both an art and a science, a mixture of individual creativity with innovative technology. Thanks to its geographical position, number of sunny days, fertile soil and indigenous varieties, Albania offers a high quality of wine production, making it a competitive industry in the region and beyond.

This has come as a result of building vineyards capacity and processing capacities of the wineries.

Expert of Rural Development

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large part of the vineyards are located near churches, castles and museums, protected natural areas, which are located in their vicinities. Tourists will have the opportunity to take part in the grape harvest and tasting of the first glass of new wine, which is always a celebration for these farms.

Tourists, who are passionate about oenology, will have the opportunity to choose diverse offers from wineries in different areas of Albania and also visit the vineyards, wineries, enjoying quality wine, accompanied by organic and traditional food products of the areas.

The wine industry is rather diverse.

Vlora, Fieri, and Lezha. The regions with the best reputation for quality wines are Berat, Përmeti and Lezha. Berat is the most important region for wine production in Albania, housing most of the wineries of the country. Lezha houses several wineries as well, but it is mostly related to Kallmet grape variety, with the main area for the production of Kallmet located in this region and highly appreciated by the Albanian consumers.

This journey has been put together with the aim of offering a complete package of proposals and services.

Important regions of the country for wine production are Berat, Elbasan,

Tourists who love culture and art are given the opportunity to explore it, as a

The main varieties of Albanian autochthonous grapes for red wine are Shesh i Zi, Kallmet, Vlosh, Serina, Debinë e Zezë, Ceruaj while among the white wines it is worth mentioning Shesh i Bardhe, Debinë e Bardhë, Pula, Therepelë etc., appreciated for their fruity and floral aroma. Kallmet, named after the sweet grape variety, is used to produce both red and white wine, and has also won numerous awards, including Kallmet‘s 30-year-old wine.

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BY RUDINA HOXHA

M

iltiadh Prifti, winner

olives, it was at my grandmother’s farm.

of the First Call

Therefore, the starting point was Nena’s

of EU Challenge

(grandmother’s) farm. The other reason

Fund for his startup

is that generally speaking, the culinary

“NenaFarm” chose

recipes and traditions are passed over

TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE to talk of his

through generations by mothers and

innovative approach towards the olive

grandmothers. Everyone who enjoys food

trees in his region, Lukova, Saranda,

and loves to cook mostly has nostalgic

which have not been taken care for the

memories of his/her grandmother

past 30 years.

cooking.

Inspired by the past and mostly by

The procedures we follow to produce the

Nena’s (grandmother’s) farm, Prifti has

table olives are based on past traditions:

produced “NenaFarm” olive oil which is

we crush the green olives with a stone

gaining ground in the supermarkets of

and we slice the ripe olives. Like our

Canada.

grandmothers did in the past.

Prifti shares his story and how EU Challenge Fund helped him to launch “NenaFarm” and grow his exciting new venture while efforts to create an award-winning extra virgin olive oil by NenaFarm is his ultimate goal now.

Full interview below: Thank you Milto for accepting our request for this interview.

First thing first. Why NenaFarm?

There are two reasons why I called my business “NenaFarm.” The first time I came into contact with the

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S TA R T U P S

A Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Table Olives from and To My Ancestors

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the export-related issues.

(November) in Albania to produce and

How would you define the role

experiment with olive oil and table

of EU Challenge Fund towards

olives.

NenaFarm?

I believe that EU Challenge Fund and

NenaFarm was registered as a company

the EU, which was a significant partner

in 2018 and we got the first production

behind, gave credibility to NenaFarm

in 2019.

product. This increased the credibility with our customers and partners as

“I am passionate about producing olive oil and table olives year by year”

Why did you fall in love with the

they knew our product as they knew

olives?

that the EU was behind the quality

To tell you the truth, this was a surprise

and safety of our product. This had a

even for myself. I am a food lover. And

great effect on brand credibility. On

I can say that I experienced a great

the other hand, this close connection

satisfaction out of the connection

with the EU influenced the relationship

between land and the product. But

with our retailers positively. I strongly

at the center of this feeling, I think it was the very creation of a product from the soil to the table. I went through the whole process of product creation. Of course, this process has been accompanied by emotions such as

What is the story behind NenaFarm?

nostalgia and a surprising proud feeling

When does this company date back?

for the history and the traditions of our

Nena Farm dates back in 2012 when I

region. The very fact that these olives

went down to Lukovë, Sarandë for a long

were inherited from our great-grand

vacation. There I came into contact with

fathers created a deeper connection with

the olive trees for the first time. I found

this process.

myself attached with the centurium olive tree in our lands. It was November 2012

So, what happened was a surprise. Since

when I produced olive oil for the first

then to this date, I am passionate about

time. I can say that since then, every

producing olive oil and table olives year

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by year and nothing has changed.

What was the biggest challenge in the start and the operation of this company?

believe that EU Challenge Fund and the European Union have generated a higher standard and potential for NenaFarm than if we were to go alone. We are looking forward to future partnerships.

My personal objective was to create a high-quality product in Lukova and export it in Canada. Beyond the normal difficulties that every business face in its first stages, we had also the task of aligning our product with the EU standards. Trading our product in the Northern America markets created extra difficulties for us. To us, what mattered was firstly to have created a truly highquality product and secondly to resolve

What are the so far results of NenaFarm?

First of all, our objective, as I mentioned earlier, was to create a higher quality product. Second, we aimed at exporting and marketing this product in Canada.

We demonstrated that we reached both of our objectives. We created two lines of extra virgin olive oil and table olives: Early November and Late November,

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year, my holidays are taken in the winter

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everywhere else in the world?

work closely with our partner, Mr.

“we are a startup and operate as such” as well traditionally made table olives packaged in glass jars.

That’s what I have done here in Canada, I

Elton Basha, who is a professor at the

Personally, I want more and more people

have connected with such boutique food

Tirana University of Agriculture. He is

to experience these products where

stores who believed in our olive oil and

certified and possesses the know-how

I believe in this to be very specific in

have trusted the quality of our products.

and the relevant experience for what

nature for a particular use. This type of

They have informed and educated their

it takes to create high quality EVOO.

extra virgin olive oil is considered to be

clients by explaining the quality and the

Together we are working to create an

a finishing oil. We do not recommend

intended purpose of our extra virgin

award-winning extra virgin olive oil by

cooking with this oil, Early November

olive oil. From my experience, where

NenaFarm.

is to be freshly consumed. Early

the partnerships have been closer, the

November has been produced by green,

product has been more successful.

Are NenaFarm products present

healthy olives where you can taste the

We will continue with this strategy.

in Albania?

freshness of the olives, greens and the

Yes, you can find it at Ferma Jonë,

microclimate where the olive groves

One of our aims for 2022 is to increase

Agrimona and Goodies Farm boutique

are located. Whereas Late November

the direct connection with our clients

markets, E dua shop at Kalaja e

consists of a mixture of green and turning

and bring them closer to our olive trees

Tiranës and in Gjirokastër, at Mother

color olives. As a result, Late November

and philosophy. As we strongly believe

Teresa Airport and in the Green Coast

is more balanced, warm and mature

that quality lies in the ground. That is

supermarket.

extra virgin olive oi. Early November

where you can have the biggest impact

matches perfectly with salads, fish and

on quality, close to the roots of the Olive

How did you choose Canada

soups whereas Late November, due to its

Tree.

for NenaFarm and not another

mature and well-balanced flavor, matches

country? What is Milto doing there?

great with the red sauces and baked

I chose Canada because I am living

meats, etc.

Third, we are a startup and operate as

in this country for the past 16 years.

such. So, we need to show the proof of

This country can be considered as the

Having said that, I can say that the type

concept.

launching place of NenaFarm extra virgin

of partnerships we are looking for, due

olive oil but we are looking to other

to the small quantities of the product

countries to expand our presence.

we have and will have, are intend for

The quality of our product is based on the laboratory analysis and organoleptic

boutique food stores – which have

(sensory) tests which both are performed

What kind of partnerships/cooperation

stronger links with their clients who are in

by accredited laboratories and certified

are you looking in Canada and

search of organic quality products.

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Olive oil experts. In the latter, we

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T

he world’s first industrial plant that produces CO2-neutral electricitybased kerosene was officially opened today in Werlte/Emsland. It is operated by the climate protection organization atmosfair and produces synthetic fuel for aircraft from water, CO2 and renewable electricity (power-to-liquid = PtL). The Lufthansa

LUFTHANSA GROUP

Group is a partner in the pioneering project and is one of the first customers to purchase this sustainable, electricitybased kerosene. In this way, the company is making an important contribution to establishing PtL production in Germany and promoting the market development of the first available CO2-neutral synthetic kerosene.

Until now, the airlines of the Lufthansa Group have used sustainable aviation fuels of biogenic origin. This is kerosene produced from agricultural waste or used cooking oils. This is because PtL fuels have not yet been produced industrially

but are only available in laboratory quantities.

Christina Foerster, Member of the Executive Board Deutsche Lufthansa AG: “Lufthansa’s airlines have been focusing on the research and use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) for many years. We are currently the largest customer in Europe. Synthetic fuels from renewable energies are the kerosene of the future.

They enable CO2-neutral aviation. With its partnership with atmosfair, the Lufthansa Group takes the lead again and provides a boost to the production of PtL.” The Lufthansa Group will purchase at least 25,000 litres of PtL fuel annually over the next five years and make it available to customers. To use the first quantities, Kuehne+Nagel and Lufthansa Cargo have agreed on an exclusive partnership. The logistics service providers have committed themselves to the joint purchase of the fuel from Werlte.

− Annual purchase of at least 25,000 litres agreed for at least five years

FROM TEST TUBE TO BARREL LUFTHANSA INVESTS IN FIRST INDUSTRIALLY PRODUCED CARBONNEUTRAL, ELECTRICITY-BASED KEROSENE MADE IN GERMANY

− Logistics companies Lufthansa Cargo and Kuehne+Nagel are among the first customers

− Lufthansa Group is partner and pilot customer of the world’s first production plant for power-to-liquid aviation fuels in Emsland, Germany

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− Power-to-liquid is considered as key technology for CO2-neutral flying

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AV I AT I O N

AV I AT I O N

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Save the date: 196+ forum Vienna at Hotel Andaz Am Belvedere on 29 November!

Vienna - 196+ forum Vienna is the benchmarking event for hospitality investment & innovation in Austria and the wider CEE region. The International Hotel Investment & Design Conference (IHIDC, established in 2007) and Hospitality Gipfel have been the two

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key platforms in recent years where the industry’s leading hotel investors, developers, operators and advisors in Austria and CEE came together.

As of 2021, the two previously independent conferences will be merged

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and renamed to 196+ forum Vienna, focusing on hospitality investment & innovation. This year the conference will be taking place at the Hotel Andaz Am Belvedere on 29 November, according to a September 22 press release of 196 + forum Vienna.

which respond to the needs of the fastest growing group of consumers, millennials. The key topic this year is sustainability. During the conference, the students of Modul University will present their findings, thus combining academic studies with current demand analyses.

Niederösterreichs Wirtschaftsagentur

Michael Widmann, Global CEO of the PKF hospitality group: “After more than one year of virtual meetings and online conferences, it is certainly time to meet again and to join an exciting programme with innovative speakers and capturing panels. We will be focusing on resort hotels, serviced living and other upcoming hospitality investment trends.”

One of the highlights will be the presentation of the “Brand Award”

by Modul University. For this award, established in 2016, students evaluate the most innovative hotels on the market

For more information: Brand Award by Modul University | 196+ forum Vienna | 196+ forum | 196+ events (196plus.com).

Further details of the programme will be announced shortly.

Tobias Siegel, PKF hospitality group

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Advisory Board 196+ forum Vienna 2021: Christian Walter (Chairman), PKF hospitality group Arabella Eichinger, Schönherr Austria Claudia Glück-Hofbauer, ecoplus.

Martin Gräber, Forum Zeitschriften und Spezialmedien Brigitte Gruber, Horwath HTL Roman Kopacek, Michaeler & Partner Martina Maly-Gärtner, UBM Development Dr. Erik Steger, Wolf Theiss

number of countries in the world. Of the 196 states, 193 are members of the United Nations, two have UN observer status and one country is recognised by the majority of UN members. The Plus stands for additional territories around the globe. The focus of all 196+ events is on personal exchange in a pleasant atmosphere. You will find more information at https://196plus.com

Rechtsanwälte More information about 196+ forum: 196+ forum is the new format of the PKF hospitality group for hospitality investment conferences – this year in Milan, Munich, and Vienna, with other locations expected from 2022 onwards. The motto worldwide is “hospitality events for curious minds”.

The umbrella brand reflects the current

Contact Press: Martina Rozok T +49 30 40044681 M +49 170 2355988 martina.rozok@pkfhospitality.com www.pkfhospitality.com www.196plus.com

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T O U R I S M / H O S P I TA L I T Y

T O U R I S M / H O S P I TA L I T Y

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Fall/Winter 2021/’22 recovers and

ALL ABOUT TWINSET Milano & ACTITUDE Fall/Winter 2021/’22 Official Spot: More than 40 women marching decisively towards the future. They tell a story, an Italian story. The story of Twinset, a brand, that from the beginning has represented the femininity and individuality of women.

Women around the world continue to choose Twinset as a brand that allow them to express themselves and embrace their personality in all aspects of life.

evolves the concept of balance between opposites, the balance between masculinity and femininity, the balance between severity and sweetness, which are the very nature of the brand. To achieve this, two exceptional muses have been chosen, two characters who are distant in age and opposite in gender, but have in common the British DNA, capable of picking up on the signs of changing times and transforming them into trends.

These are Marianne Faithfull and Harry Styles, two personalities who have changed the tenets of a music genre and rewrote the fashion language of their time.

From these two icons and their ability to redraw the boundaries between masculinity and femininity, Twinset has drawn inspiration for a sophisticated collection that speaks the language of modernity with grace and gentleness. This look is significant within the collection. The Twinset woman, has a sophisticated look where masculine and feminine find a balance both in materials and shapes. The masculine soul can be detected in the rigorously cut blazer, made of comfort wool canvas with a glen plaid design. The feminine soul, on the other hand, can be identified in the romantic skirt in plisse soleil in a very light creponne print with degrade flowers. The look is completed with a wool gauze shirt with a crepe texture, detailed with a construction of yokes, trimmed with delicate valenciennes lace.

The glen plaid theme is very important within the collection. A thread that we will find applied in many ways and in different materials. The masculine fabric finds its feminine expression when applied in dresses, enriched with the faux leather applications – everyday dresses which can be worn throughout the day, and even carried out for the evening, too.

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A chic, everyday Twinset outfit consists of a coat and dressing gown.

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Another significant look within this collection, is the shape and material of a masculine blazer – the cut and proportions, enriched with viscose fringes.

The series is completed with trousers, mini shorts and skirt.

Another theme is the print with degrade

flower in viscose creponne, perfect for the romantic, bohemianstyle dresses that play on the transparency and movement created by the effects of these different-sized pleats, overlapping each other.

This is an exclusive Twinset print that has been applied to the knitwear.

An interpretation of knitwear with mohair gauze that recalls the transparencies of creponne.

The suit-fur combination is highly up-to-date and gives continuity to the trend of in&out clothing that Twinset has widely explored. The tops and trousers can be sold separately, or as suits. The suits are also available in a sporty and technical fabric such as scuba.

Another technically inspired fabric that has been used and interpreted in a special way within the collection, is triacetate, combined with knitwear.

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As for the knitwear, we enter the world of specials. Specials across the whole jacquard world, but especially for the embroidered fabrics.

Embroidered fabrics are once again the great protagonists of knitwear. The cardigans or cardicoats for the execellence they offer, are very emblematic and significant for our brand. They feature an exclusive workmanship. Using different and rich yarns, they create unique pieces. What makes them even more special, is that these special pieces are Made in Italy products, woven there.

Special knitwear. We refer to Chanel, both for the fit and the type of look. It is a process where mohair is combined with lurex.

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Prints that mix different designs are a characteristic feature of Twinset, for example, a micro-animal pattern, graphically elaborated, crosses with a microflower print, in a pattern that draws a placed stripe. Shapes are very romantic. There is the slip dress with lace edging, the long dress with a gathered skirt, the short version and still, blouse and skirt.

The effects are played of transparencies, always veiled by petticoats. The mix patch is fully realized also in the knitwear.

Fall Winter 2021-2022, reconfirms one more time that the mixture of materials and textures gives a special and rich character to this collection.

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Fall/Winter 2021-’22 Actitude Hooked by “Emily in Paris”, the sparkling, cool, fresh, young and colorful TV series. The main character of “Emily in Paris” is a young, fashionable fresh, cool and above all, intelligent girl. And that’s exactly the kind of woman that we would like to dress with Actitude. Our journey with this collection is through Paris, the ultimate fashion city, and above all through the locations that were used to film the scenes of this famous TV

series. These new fits speak of new volumes, that take their cue from fashion trends and are very versatile in dressing different female shapes. This is without setting limits on the age or ethnicity.

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Talking about light, there is applications of lurex, sequin and special threads. Over 100 hours of hand workmanship are required to make certain special pieces of garments.

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JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE MARKETING

MARKETING

Oz’s Habit of Falling in Love Again and Again

BY RUDINA HOXHA

I

n the mind of Jori Vila, Oz is not different from other marketing agencies in terms of its capacities, but it is different in a very humanized way. “At Oz, we have the wonderful habit of falling in love with each of our projects, brands or products. When we fall in love, we will do what is impossible to make the best of what has been the client’s request and more,” Managing Director of Oz Marketing Albania, Vila said to TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE.

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She said that Oz team take their time to understand, research and study all about the brand or the product. After there is no doubts or questions, they see it from the consumer’s perspective. “When this is achieved, we are ready to make our proposals and we usually win. We just need the opportunity :),” Vila states.

For the past 1 year and 4 months, she added, the care on details, deadlines and the long experience is what makes Oz Marketing everyday stronger in this chaotic market..

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a “plan by doing” or “unplan because of failure” way of marketing.

What are the major marketing trends of the moment in Albania and what factors are influencing it mostly?

An ongoing or post pandemic worldwide situation has affected the ways of doing marketing all over the world, and of course in Albania as well.

The impact is obvious and considerable.

Differently from previous major crises, marketing has not suffered the usual “first cut of expenses”, but it certainly has suffered from an unpredictable and short-terms need for action.

Albanian businesses also chose to act fast and understood the need to be present on and offline, but cannot say that they did it well. Apart from VIP businesses and corporates, medium and small businesses, executed and continue to execute

“Albanian businesses also chose to act fast and understood the need to be present on and offline.”

There is also another panorama, while the business is present and communicating via social media or other non-expensive way, and even if they will not measure it, in the end of the day, they are happy with what they are doing, because they don`t know that they can do way more and better.

How many marketing agencies are in Albania and in what key ways is OZ Marketing different from other competitors in terms of its people, scope, goals, projects, vision and latest successes in this industry?

I don`t know the number, but it is a large number. There are many marketing passionants who have started their own companies, and there are also creative studios, or printing studios, which are also self-classified as marketing agencies.

Let me mention that the common sense of a marketing agency, is “an advertising agency, often referred to as a creative agency or an ad agency, is a business dedicated to creating, planning, and handling advertising and sometimes other forms of promotion and marketing for its clients.” Considering this definition, I would dare to say that such companies are just a few in the Albanian market. I would count not more than 15.

If a company can offer only creative services, or only planning, and cannot execute a full channels campaign, it cannot be classified as a marketing agency.

Saying this, Oz is not different from other marketing agencies in terms of its capacities, but it is different in a very humanized way: at Oz, we have the wonderful habit of falling in love with each of our projects, brands or products.

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When we fall in love, we will do what is impossible to make the best of what has been the client’s request and more. We usually don’t find it hard to fall in love with what we are working on, because we take time to understand, research and study all about the brand or the product.

We clear our doubts, we make questions and we try to see it in every perspective, and definitely, we see it from the consumer’s perspective. When this is achieved, we are ready to make our proposals and we usually win. We just need the opportunity :).

What types of services do you offer to your clients? What does your company do to stand out among its competitors?

Oz offers services such as: marketing research, marketing planning and strategy, copywriting, social media management, creative design and art, printing services of different formats and types and also video concept and production.

Being in the market for 1 year and 4 months now, it means having the knowledge of what the market offers,

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MARKETING

Full interview below:

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JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

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best prices and practices. I can proudly say that in 1 year and 4 months of Oz, we have never delivered a service out of the deadline. Also, the care shown to our client’s needs and requirements is something that our clients appreciate about us.

The care on details, deadlines and the long experience is what makes us everyday stronger in this chaotic market.

Where is OZ Marketing heading? Can you mention any significant projects?

October started with a new contract and client whose long-term projects are actually our long-term purposes.

What has changed when it comes to online marketing and how do you see the online marketing versus print marketing?

Online marketing is very common, and it has developed a popular opinion that everybody can do it because it offers the tools. As soon as the businesses start to understand that online marketing is not very different from offline marketing, they will start to do the right thing by delegating its implementation to the professionals.

Online marketing is actually very important because it is cheap, it offers some of the tools for free and most importantly, it is measurable.

I see Oz being on the same path with our clients, as we help them grow their business, we definitely grow together.

But it is not different from offline marketing, because to take the best

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from it, businesses must invest in a multitasking team, who will work on: creative and visual content, copywriting, planning and promoting. And of course, the professionals will know how to read the insights and how to turn them into ROI for the client.

Same goes for offline printing which continues to be very present and important. But, depending on the objectives and requirements, a business must communicate using different channels and most of the time using them in the same time as campaigns or planned communications to achieve the most of what a good marketing can offer.

Being the Founder and the CEO of a marketing agency, how you manage both professional as well personal life?

It is difficult to find balance between professional and personal life, as most of my time is dedicated to Oz. It is a very young company and it needs my efforts to develop in future steps. I cannot give any good advice regarding balancing professional life and personal life, but I can definitely give advice on how to reduce stress: quit that job if you cannot wake up in the morning to go to that job, quit it ASAP. Do what you love, want or know best and start doing it by planning and taking your time. Start to see yourself as an investment, you will get old with yourself, and you want it to be happy and healthy. Do your best and do it now.

Where can we find you and what will be the best way to contact OZ Marketing?

JORIDA VILA Managing Director Mob.: +355 675 066 312 E-mail: jori@ozmarketing.com.al Address: Rr. Brigada VIII, Pll. TeknoProjekt, H. 2, Ap. 1, Tirana

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Any advice that you would like to give to our readers as well as the marketers regarding how to balance their busy lives and cope with stressful life.

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doctor.

The Albanian ophthalmologist Dr. Alda Zani opens up the new column on Health that TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE initiates from this issue on.

How would you describe OCULUS CLINIC and what treatments does it offer to the clients?

Oculus clinic is a diagnostic clinic of the pathologies of the anterior and posterior segment of the eye. The clinic offers specialized ophthalmological visits by very experienced ophthalmologists.

Here you can find solutions to all your refraction problems, the selection of the optical glasses and the sunglasses, problems of myopia, hypermetropia,

With 20 years of experience on her shoulders, Zani graduated from Careggi, Hospital university Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in Florence, Italy, tells all about the vision and the services her clinic – Oculus Clinic provides to correct the eye disorders.

Full interview below: Tell me a bit about your professional background. How long have you been in the ophthalmology field?

I will start the interview with one of the sayings of Oprah Winfrey “Let passion drive your profession”. For me it started exactly as a passion to inherit medicine since I am the daughter of a surgeon.

I have been in the field of Medicine since 2001, when I started my studies at Careggi, Hospital university Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in Florence, Italy, until today, where I am an ophthalmologist at my Oculus clinic.

It has been a difficult journey but also beautiful to always be updated in the beautiful and humane profession of

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Oculus Clinic, an Ideal Solution to Your Eye Problems

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In your view, how effective are the photochromic lenses? And what kinds do you offer?

astigmatism and others. We also treat pediatric and adult patients.

What kind of damages you correct and while they are mostly caused?

Besides the treatment of the optical problems, the Oculus Clinic diagnosticates all the eye pathologies which are solved through surgical interventions performed in the surgical clinic. Here we can mention the cataract, lacrimal duct problems, oculoplastic surgery including both aesthetic and functional. Oculus Clinic offers optical and sunglasses from the most prestigious brands such as Tom Ford, Persol, Versace, D&G, Vogue, Ray-Ban.

sunglasses that you recommend to your patients so that they can look nice and while still protecting their eyes?

The glasses that correct the vision, in addition to the brand preference, are also selected based on the patient’s problems.

“Oculus Clinic offers optical and sunglasses from the most prestigious brands”

Do you have a favorite line of

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For example, around the age of 40, Presbyopia begins, the inability or difficulty to look closely. In this case, a small frame, preferably half a frame, is recommended so that the patient can see closely with glasses and the latter do not obstruct the view from afar. The opposite happens in patients who need to see both far and near. They need to choose a large optical frame in order to build the progressive lens respecting the distance

There are people who are very sensitive to the sunlight mainly blonde people with light- colored eyes. The photochromatic lenses would be an ideal solution for those who want to see clearly but at the same time be protected from the harmful rays of the sun. Therefore in one pair of eyeglasses, we blend together optical glasses and sunglasses. In this case, I would recommend essilor transition lenses (gradual darkening of the lenses to 80 and a guaranteed clarity.)

We welcome you in our clinic to get better acquainted with our services.

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for near, intermediate and far. In our clinic, we do have trained staff for useful recommendations regarding the choice of glasses. Special care is needed for patients who spend a long time on the computer. For them, essilor sapphire glasses are recommended, which have a blue block filter for harmful blue rays and at the same time allow good rays to pass through the eyes.

JP TRAIBLAZING MAGAZINE

Gender Fluctuations on My Mind

BY RUDINA HOXHA of powerful women such as Shote Galica, Zadrimore and Lesley Gore, as important images in feminist history in Albania or worldwide and represent different portrayals of femininity and body positivity,” Ema told in her exclusive interview with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE.

“My Silence” was the exhibition, which was opened last October at Europe House , by the 15 year old Albanian painter, Ema Bregu. A lot of media attention was stirred by her exhibition intrigued by the wide range of gender identities, body positivity and mental health.

She started the project “My Silence” at the beginning of 2020 when the Covid pandemic hit.

“One of the main themes I wished to introduce to the public was gender identity and expression and body positivity. I wanted to portray images

She took some time to be ready to show her art to the public and disclose her feelings, deep expressions and thoughts on these issues as well as, discovering more on her vulnerability. “But yet, it was a very empowering and strengthening process to receive so much appreciation and support from the public. So, I am happy I did it!,” Ema stated in her interview.

Full interview below: Can you tell us what was the spark behind your exhibition - My Silence?

How would you describe this experience and the messages you would like to spread through it?

I started the project “My Silence” at the beginning of 2020 when the Covid pandemic first started. It came naturally

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Ema Bregu:

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painting as a more serious and important hobby.

Together with my art course teacher, a kind-spoken but ambitious woman, I explored portraiture and how small figures in art could convey a bigger message and spread awareness. This art course is what prepared me for my future in the world of art and gave me a good foundation for my creative journey.

due to all the thinking that came with the loneliness and anxiety of lockdown.

I first started by attempting watercolor, a painting technique that I hadn’t dared touch before, and after a bit of exploring, I started painting every day for the next year and a half.

After working with amateur portraiture of characters from surrounding environments like TV shows or the internet, I started to delve into the power of art. That way I began including deeper meaning in my art in an attempt to convey a message.

Galica, Zadrimore and Lesley Gore, as important images in feminist history in Albania or worldwide and represent different portrayals of femininity and body positivity. In this category I also explored gender expression through portraying gender nonconforming folks. Gender fluctuation has always fascinated me and I found it important to portray a wide range of gender identities in my art.

“I wanted to portray images of powerful women”

The other main theme of my paintings with a message is mental health. I focused on imagery that would represent emotions and urges that cannot be simply explained in words and focused more on mental struggles of teenagers such as depression, anxiety, body image issues, finding strengths and showing

One of the main themes I wished to introduce to the public was gender identity and expression and body positivity. I wanted to portray images of powerful women such as Shote

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My curator of the exhibition, Jona also encouraged me through the journey of discovering water colour painting and pushing me beyond traditional paining especially on exploring characters and portraits.

vulnerability as a normal process of growth. It took some time for me to be ready to show my art to the public and disclose my feelings, deep expressions and thoughts on these issues as well as, discovering more on my vulnerability, but yet, it was a very empowering and strengthening process to receive so much appreciation and support from the public. So, I am happy I did it!

What was the early push in your creative direction?

I first started painting when I was in the first grade. My parents encouraged me and put me in a local art course.

Through that art course, I started to see

When did it happen that you took the job seriously?

Communication through words was often difficult for me, and when I discovered the wide world of painting and artistry, the language of art, I began to see the importance it has on human-to-human connection. Because of this, I wanted to use my art for good and make this exhibition something more than just a simple exhibit about my creative journey through 2020-2021, but something that inspires and encourages other young people. With this realization, I began doing more serious work and started to research on different themes and symbols to upgrade my art. Through this process I grew and began to balance

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working on serious art and working on art that I do simply to entertain myself.

I believe that any creative process done by any young person should be taken seriously.

Who inspired or empowered you as you began the journey as a painter? How much of an impact did your mother have on your development?

I’ve had a lot of inspiring figures in my life who have encouraged me through my journey with art. The first influence were my parents, more specifically my mother. She has always been there for

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me and was the one who put me in the art course in the first place. Two years ago, when I first started working on the ‘My Silence’ project, my mother began herself exploring art and the world of acrylic paintings, discovering her own interest in art. This was a bonding experience as we both started painting every night on the kitchen table, now half covered in paint tubes and cups of paint water which rarely get cleaned, helping and inspiring each other to progress and better ourselves. My second main influence was my art course teacher. Art teachers are usually stereotyped to be harsh and competitive, encouraging their students and prodigies with tough love and constant criticism to prepare them for the harsh future of the art industry, but this was not the case. My art course teacher taught me using patience and a sweet voice, constantly cracking jokes yet still focusing on the work ahead. She was my favorite teacher, both in and out of school, and I idolized her work, adoring her focus when painting and her sweetness when teaching. She helped me build up the courage to open my first amateur exhibition, and even after I left the art course after five years of working there, her influence lingered and her confidence pushed me to work

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interpretation is what helps people connect with art in their own personal way. Art has the power to influence, to educate and help people overcome their differences, and I believe despite the change of art over the years, from majorly traditional to a mix of traditional and digital, it will continue affecting culture and daily lives of folks around the world.

When it comes to inspiring peers to become painters or artists, I would simply suggest it. Art should never be forced on someone, because with obligation, it becomes a job, not something one would enjoy and/ or use to help them emotionally or educationally. For an artist, art could be a job, but it should also be something more than just a profit source forced upon someone, but should be enjoyable and even helpful to them.

on the new and improved ‘My silence’ project.

Can you formulate the power of painting?

How would you transmit it and inspire your peers who would like to become painters or artists?

Art has and will continue to be one of the main influences in human experience, whether you make or appreciate art, it is undeniable that art helps in the development of people.

It aids with emotional connections, which I’ve noticed has become quite difficult in our present day. Art can be one thing to the artist, and something completely different to the viewer, and this difference in perspective and

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“Art has and will continue to be one of the main influences in human experience”

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THE DOUGH:

Organic country flour regular - 250grs Water - room temperature - 150ml Virgin olive oil - a soup spoon full Baker Yeast - half a sachet (2.5gr) A pinch of untreated salt Sugar - a soup spoon Butternuts dry puree - 25 % of dough weight • A cast iron which can go in oven

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PREPARE YOUR PUMPKIN PUREE

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• Bring to boil water with 2/3 pieces of

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Pumpkin Bread by Chef de Cuisine, Didier Gusching FROM THE SOIL TO THE PLATE, GO LOCAL AND GO SEASONAL…!

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cloves and 2 stick of cinnamon and simmer for about 10 min Peel the butternuts (yellow pumpkin) and, bring back to boil the water adding cubed pumpkin Check the cooking, shall cook about 10 min, depending on butternut, here just picked form our bio garden, fresh at its best Once cooked, drain through colander and allow 10 min to drain Pass through a fine mesh sieve to remove any potential fibers Put it in a pot and stir till all excess of water has been evaporated Again, put it into a fine mesh sieve and allow 30/40 to remove excess of remaining water The texture shall be soft and hard same as the bread dough

Check seasoning and reserve

DOUGH PREPARE THE YEAST • Dissolve in a lukewarm water adding

a bit of sugar which will activate the

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• • • • • •

fermentation process Put the flour into the robot food processor with sugar, salt and mix everything, Pour the water mix with yeast gradually till you obtain a smooth and sticky dough, otherwise add little flour Remove the dough and place into a container cover with a plastic film, this will make your dough rising quickly Leave it in room temperature for about 40-50 min Then, take it back and fold it on itself to release the air, form a ball Weight the dough Add 25% of it from the puree and incorporate carefully Form a ball and start shopping as pumpkin!

For that, you will need butcher string of cotton Tight and portion the dough into equal part, carefully to not cut the dough, just enough to shape it

Lay a baking paper sheet in bottom of the cocotte dish Place the dough into it Cover with the lid Lightly flour the top the bread dough, scarified with a sharp knife as leaves and place the stem Place into COLD OVEN - imperative - and cook for 35 min at 225dgrs If you want more crisp, remove the lid at 30 min and allow to cook reducing heat to 180 dgrs till brownish Remove from the iron cast, remove the strings carefully and allow to cool...

Et voila... bon appétit!

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