On the economic model yesterday, today and tomorrow. What...?

by Eduart GJOKUTAJ

It's been two decades for me and Albanian citizens, since the democratic system comes in Albania from the student and worker revolts and desire to change. In return the memory back in time but also in reviewing the traces left by the economic direction of the Albanian leadership (men of the country) I would like to give my opinion about the facts, impacts and effects of their decision for the economy and progress of the nation.

All aspirants, visionaries, scholars and political leaders after 90s in the vast majority today are covered by gray. If the economy?

At the beginning of the economic conversation wants to start from the economy before 90s.

Economic policies pursued in the 60s and 70s for the industrialization of the country became that center and entire areas of agro industrial - livestock historical orientation to return to Industrial Areas. This transformation of natural areas in industrial centers restructured the social life in these areas. The structure of regional activities, work culture, forms and consumption habits and living conditions of those who had already become industrial workers were exchanged with the previous ones. Aspirations for the education and emancipation of their children also changed radically.

The idea of returning socialist-livestock farming regions in industrial areas failed to create industrial infrastructure in former agricultural areas - farming, generally because of not long-term development vision and a clear profiling of industries. Although industrial development period did not last more than two decades, the rural population into the

work came in the way of transformation in urban population being organized around transformed industrial centers. However, a good part of the workforce without consistency ranged between rural and urban. 5-year economic plans include women in the workforce. Vocational schools and different courses are the main education of the unskilled labor force, that year after year they learned different specialization profiles by becoming a potential skilled source for the industry.

The model of economic planning over 5-year period had a goal in itself that industrial works to absorb the capable labor force, as in her existing labor force, as well as the creation of new one. By creating a concentration of population in industrial areas, a policy direction was their transformation in typical regional centers of the country strengthening the network of civil administrative services for the purposes of urban living. But the model consumed itself, due to immaturity and lack of long term vision in accordance with country economy. Industry in the early 80s encountered increasing difficulty when it began to consume scarce reserves created. Difficulties increased when industrial production cycle (not upgraded) began to feel 'not fed' with raw material and lack of liquidity kept as hidden problems. This phenomenon is not saved any model, to limit problems and require adjustment of industry according to the needs of domestic and regional market. The foundation of the steel industry and fortifications predetermined pattern of selfdestruction. After this phase the model passed in 'coma'. All groups of industrial workers were forced to seek other sources of income and different ways of employment for its development. Unemployment was alert to immediate changing of the direction of the economy. For this change needed political change...

What economic model was created and has succeeded in the last 20 years?

Changing regimes, on the one hand brought the policy change. This created institutions on the principles of multi-party democracy. On the other hand, the need for changing the economic model became the subject of debate economists who ran the government.

However, the debate within that circle of people was insufficient. As a result of this historical error, the new system broke the redistribution of national income according to the principle of the socialist state, before the birth of the youngest model.

Why so?

The old economic model should be replaced with a new one, based on the recent history of the country. But, euphoric and potential abuser, to manage the national income and public and natural assets, young managers unable to manage the effects in the economy from the change of the political system, continued to model economy based on unclear economic ideas (blank check, etc.) without a vision of development and stuck with corruption without an economic development model. 'New' economic model was called transition, hiding inside the personal problems of managers across the country that occupied the positions in government with each other while maintaining the same status quo. The vulnerable personal integrity and disregard of best practices and ideas of visionaries at home and abroad killed every effort to develop a real economic model. Economic transition ranked the model. High leadership of the country, based on personal reasons and not at all worried about the fate of the country and its citizens, but also the reluctance to adapt models from other countries stated that the crisis that carries more new system would be a temporary problem. They declared that private property instead, privatization of state enterprises, market institutions, and foreign investment will to counter the problem that hinders economic development. But, without heading from the beginning (private property outstanding, corrupt privatizations, institutions dependent on the head of government, foreign investment clientele) new economy proved to be an illusion.

Economic and social changes of the past two decades are associated with contradictions. Despite the geographical conditions, climate, historical, economic and cultural life of the inhabitants of the country, we can say that they have the same characteristics, the remaining hostage to the lack of economic model lacked. These signs can be observed in:

The large number of those who have remained without work and low levels of employment;

The number of people with little education and skills that are inappropriate for the economy;

Low level of income for families in economic need; Atmosphere coupled with bleak economic uncertainty, lack of vision for the future and unconditional surrender to poverty.

What economic model will have tomorrow?

(a) The desire to join the European capitalism network, (b) human values, (c) natural resources and (d) the accumulation of capital investment required for development should be the pillars of strategic goals for economic development model. Given the fact of the country's economic structure that is still not a pure market economy should require coordination of public and private sector, through communication among interest groups to discuss and decide on the direction of economic structure and measures to enable implementation. Just as in public management, where the organizational structure dictates the implementation of strategies and action, as well as in shaping the country's economic profile will make it possible to clarify the future of the economy. The economic model that probably is already among the political leaders in the discussion stage and the final determination is needed to stimulate the debate and is necessary to pass the 'forum' of popular debate as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the chance of economic development without a shaft leading industries until now, by all experts must be placed in front the strong support to transform the country into a regional development model. Albania lacks nothing to achieve this mission, perhaps even greater than that of EU membership.