A practical spirit—an «investment» that is sometimes lacking — Travelling from Tirana to Butrint on the eve of the summer season — A good cook, a good bartender, cultured service staff attract more customers to a venue than its beautiful architecture does. Over time, such passionate people often give the places where they work a «name» of their own. Everything called work needs these qualities, especially the service sector. If an artist, to truly be one, needs a creative spirit, and a technologist and economist need a practical spirit, a service worker needs a trader’s spirit. Where the work of the architect and builder ends, in venues such as «Blerim» in Lushnjë, for example, the trader’s work begins. The former are appreciated from afar for their creative spirit, their imagination, which invites you to come closer; the latter are appreciated for their work when you sit inside, waiting for prompt, cultured service. At Uji i Ftohtë in Tepelenë, nature has bestowed great beauty. The mountain brings forth from its bosom cold springs, flowing through the ravines. But human hands have also invested a great deal. But can trade meet these needs? The director of the tourism branch, together with other employees, points out a place on a hillside for an outdoor dining area. Fine. All along the hillside, beneath the dense shade of the trees, there are many places to rest, with tables and benches. Paths. Fountains. But... the director is not left in peace. A friend from the education section has «caught the scent», but has nowhere to seat them. Someone from the agriculture section, along with others. Employees of the PT, too... And travellers going up and down. They poke their heads through the restaurant door, where noise reigns among the people standing in line beside those who are seated and eating. Inside the 60-seat venue, if we are not mistaken, it is hot. The windows do not open. The heat from the kitchen is hardly welcome even in the cold of winter. — Why isn’t service provided outside? The director is new to the job. He has ideas. But this is how he found it. An economist who is with us starts doing the «calculations». It turns out that no fewer than 1,500 people pass through here every day, on Ballsh route buses. Excursionists from Ujga and Vjari. Tourists (when they arrive, tourism comes to a complete standstill). For a moment, the economist becomes the «owner» of this tourist and commercial marvel. The kitchen capacity? Small. The refrigerator? Small. So these, too, are among the reasons why service is not provided on the restaurant terraces. Why not serve at the tables outside? Why not turn the square up by the plane tree into a dining area? This is so people need not go up to the old venue, which is under the authority of the trading enterprise and where service is, of course, provided only indoors, although the large marble-paved veranda stands empty. Around it are wobbling railings and metal tables that rust is «eating». When all this service space, all these possibilities, are «discovered», when one counts all these people who are not being served, the answer comes back: — But what about meat and other supplies? The head of the agriculture section says: — You can get them directly from the nearby cooperatives, fresh. — But what about the medical certificate? Where are we to find a veterinarian? — If you don’t have a collector or service staff, get the veterinarian. — We hadn’t thought of that. But how many things need to be thought of—

Summer in Burrel is quite hot. But another indicator makes it even hotter: the numerous shortages in the city’s summer trade. This service is limited to just two establishments, one a confectionery and the other the tourism venue, where on one side alcoholic drinks are served amid a whirl of cigarette smoke, while at the venue’s counter children jostle to buy ice cream. Just two venues for a city of 14,000 inhabitants! Why so little service for the city when there are many more possibilities? Three other establishments, for various reasons, but mostly through negligence, have not put their cooling equipment into operation, although the heat began some time ago. Repairs are being made here, a replacement part is being sought there, when these things should have been done in the spring. There are plenty of shortages, too. A machine for large-scale ice-cream production has been broken for years, and only now do they say it will be put into operation. We say this because Burrel has a transport agency, where dozens of people wait

— GJIROKASTËR — The cooperative and farmers’ markets in Gjirokastër are little in evidence. Is there nothing to sell, or is there a lack of appreciation? The truth is that the supply of dairy products and vegetables is satisfactory, but there are also problems, for example, with earliness, variety and the conveyor, and especially with prices, which are not flexible, do not keep pace with the times and do not encourage production. Greenhouse produce has arrived late; produce from the fields has also appeared on the market in very small quantities, and June 5 is already halfway through the season. There are only two sales outlets for the agricultural economies: one belonging to NB «Muzafer Asqeri», and one to NB «Misto Mame». They were there last year too, but this year they have not yet opened. The NB of Libohovë, Sofratikë and Jorgucat also have opportunities to trade in the city; almost all the Odria economies have pakte, yet they do not come out to sell them; other cooperatives have pumpkins, beans, etc., but they too do not sell, although the bee-keepers want them. What is holding things back? The leaders of some economies have not fully understood the benefits of cooperative trade; they do not think of working imaginatively in this sector and making profits from it. The attention paid by trade and government bodies to revitalizing these two productive forms of trade is likewise limited. Above all, they can bring variety and vitality to the market, develop and stimulate it, give scope to «competition» and to creative, imaginative work. This is an issue that calls for reflection. The buyer is right to expect this.

For every «why», clear arguments Comrade Ramiz emphasizes: «Management on an independent-accounting basis requires collective and individual material incentives, but incentives alone would not have the desired effects if they did not spur mobilizing plans, if they were not accompanied by greater efforts to discover new reserves...» Economic enterprises in the district of Përmet are taking action on this issue, and the period remaining until January ’91 is being viewed as a period of intensive preparation and study, leading right up to concrete implementation. On July 1 the entire food enterprise will move to management on an independent-accounting basis. A seminar on the problems of next year’s draft plans was also organized here a few days ago. There was discussion, ideas were put forward, and many issues were addressed, including the «difficulties» encountered in practice in making use of the production capacities placed at the enterprise’s disposal, etc. Some workshops in the municipal enterprise have moved to independent accounting; likewise the Albturizmi branch, the brick factory in the construction enterprise, and some other sectors and workshops have been operating on an independent-accounting basis for days and weeks. It is too early to say anything, but let us refer to a few facts. In the Albturizmi branch, the initial monthly turnover target of 100,000 lekë has naturally been linked to incentives for the outstanding worker. For every litre of milk produced according to plan, the shepherd is paid 0.80 qindarka, while the enterprise sells it at three times that price. What has this achieved? The enterprise exceeded its production target by 1,400 kv of milk, earned 53,000 lekë in income, and only 35 percent of this excess was distributed to the village livestock farmers. It was they who discovered internal reserves beyond the plans and increased production quotas; therefore, the dynamic monitoring of plans and the use of reward mechanisms were studied and bore fruit. In a sense, ’91 means that the process of emptying out has begun. The drafting of the draft plans set new «markers» for many indicators, with the views of specialists from all branches emphasized. Debates and arguments were put forward on indicators for the production of goods for sale, income, distribution of production, etc. Management on an independent-accounting basis has first of all set in motion those activities that require stimulation of production, accompanied by effective implementation, concrete results and new generalizations. The enterprise’s economist, Androkli Papa, rightly explains the benefits brought by increasing the area planted with shallots for export within the district. The issue had been raised before, but the introduction of management on an independent-accounting basis calls for a simple incentive to take this produce to Korçë, where the tradition of growing shallots is not confined to one or two economies, but exists in several. Here and there, for example in some enterprises, the drafting of the ’91 draft plans proceeded calmly, «under the quotas already achieved, with a tendency to meet the plan figures without strain». This was considered harmful, and the necessary corrections were made. From the discussions held, it emerges that independent accounting will be more effective for organizing sectors that are far from the enterprise centres and have full economic and financial operations. The municipal enterprise, food enterprise, procurement and trade each have, so to speak, their own «micro-unit» in two places, in the city of Përmet and in that of Këlcyrë. In Këlcyrë these production and service sectors are expanding their activity, so moving to management on an independent-accounting basis is becoming essential; indeed, we would add, with a settlement account at the bank. Naturally, much remains to be done on the problems of the economic mechanism, since many products and workshops, even entire sectors, are operating at a loss. When we say that the economic mechanism has got off to a somewhat good start, we are convinced that much remains to be done. This is also evident from the reluctance to include in the draft plan, from the outset, 20 percent of the production capacities placed at enterprises’ disposal, and from the undervaluation of the relevant documentation for investment and credit for 1991, etc. VLADIMIR LIKO-LLARI, secretary of the Executive Committee of the Party of Labour of the district of Përmet. with a separate accounting system. refer to a few facts. In the Albturizëm branch, the turnover-plan target was increased by 190 percent during May, but above all, the quality of service has improved and weekly inspections of the establishments have been strengthened. In the economy of Paqa explains the benefits resulting from increasing the area planted with çepujkë for export within the district. This issue has been raised before, but moving to a separate accounting system requires securing revenues through direct channels within the district, even though the opportunities are limited and it is not worthwhile to increase expenses—

In recent days, at a special meeting, livestock farmers from Gramsh reviewed the achievements of the five-month period and made new commitments to advance the objectives they have set. During the five-month period, more than 3,500 kv were produced, and 1,900 kv of milk above plan were delivered. The daily milk-production graph is being exceeded by 40 kv. The leading example is set by the agricultural economies of Lenie, Drizë, Kukur and Mashan, as well as the outstanding sheep farmers Argjend Caci, Shaban Tarko, Ali Xhangolli and Isa Hoxha, who achieved the annual plan that day. Following the example of Hero of Socialist Labour Xhemal Hoxholli, shepherds from Porocan, Kodovjat, Holtas and Sojnik and Kësht also aim for high daily milk yields. Alongside increasing yields from small livestock, the agricultural economies of this district are now working, under the guidance of livestock specialists, to create a suitable type of sheep that makes good use of pasture. Encouraged also by the decisions of the Party’s 10th Plenum of the Central Committee, and especially by incentives through the prices of livestock products, the livestock farmers of Gramsh pledged to fulfil the annual milk-production plan by the end of August. (ATSH-4)

- SHKODËR - When it is said that this year more cooling units will be marketed than last year, and that for this trade the plan for arranging them is many times larger, along with an increase in the number of sales outlets, it is clear that NTUS in Shkodër has a strong desire to do more. But desire is one thing, and organizing the work to achieve it is another. The five-month trading plan for arançata was achieved by only 32.7 percent. The truth is that, with the use of a service incentive of up to 5 percent of the turnover achieved by the point of sale, interest in trading this highly sought-after item in the warm season increased so much that, from the reports made, it appears that on June 11 the planned daily quota (Continued on page 2)

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, yesterday received the ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria to the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Stefan Naumov. The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, yesterday received the ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria to the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Stefan Naumov, who presented his credentials. Those attending the ceremony for the presentation of credentials included Minister of Foreign Affairs Reis Malile, Secretary of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly Shat Tazaj, Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bashkim Dino, and others. The ambassador was accompanied by diplomats from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria in Tirana. (ATSH)

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Albania, Muhamet Kapllani, went to Bonn, where he met and held talks with the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Jürgen Sudhof, of Germany. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Albania, Muhamet Kapllani, went to Bonn, where he met and held talks with the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Jürgen Sudhof, of Germany, as well as with other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation. At these meetings, they discussed new developments in Europe and the process of security and European cooperation. The American side provided information about the concrete steps it is taking toward German reunification. Opinions were also exchanged on the further development of bilateral relations and cooperation between Albania and the Federal Republic of Germany. Present during the talks were the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the PSR of Albania in Bonn, Shpëtim Çaushi, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany in Tirana, Friedrich Kronek. (ATSH)

- PUKE - Forest by-products and the gathering of medicinal plants in Pukë constitute an area of activity that brings substantial export revenues and offers numerous opportunities and reserves for steadily increasing them. Through resin processing, the workforce of the rosin factory has produced rosin and turpentine worth thirty-odd thousand planned [amount]. The wood-processing enterprise alone has exceeded its export target by 868 thousand lekë, also completing the six-month period ahead of schedule. The forestry enterprise has likewise supplied the foreign market with the products planned for this period. Meanwhile, work is under way to gather various items from the rich flora of this district. (According to ATSH)

At the Executive Committee of the Krujë District People’s Council, there was an unusual sense of concern. A criticism had appeared in one of the press outlets: “the pace of the campaign in this district is slow.” Perhaps that was not the only reason for the concern pervading the committee’s offices. By chance, we met the secretary of this committee, Mr. Gëzim Haxhiu. “The main problems of the campaign have taken second place for us, because almost all of us are grappling with the fuel shortage. For several days now, diesel has been arriving drop by drop.” We went to the Borzanë agricultural cooperative. The cooperative’s chairman, Osman Meta, complained to the secretary of the executive committee, asking him to help with fuel because the vehicles had been left idle. At the Thumanë agricultural enterprise, director Sali Gordi voiced the same concern: we receive about 30 percent of our daily fuel requirements. At the Laç cooperative, on June 12, even the combine harvesters were not working because of a lack of diesel, and so on. At the fuel department in Laç, we asked the economist Eqerem Spahiu for an explanation. “Ballshi, as far as I know, has been undergoing repairs,” we were told. On June 10, a railway wagon carrying diesel left the Çërrik refinery, and by June 12 it had covered only 2–3 km. Now, according to the information we have received, it is at Papër station! From the records, we learned that over the 11-day period the Laç fuel department received 36.6 percent of its petrol plan and 50.3 percent of its diesel plan. That is the situation. Meanwhile, the wheat-harvesting and collection campaign has reached its most intensive stage; the tending of crops has also reached critical deadlines, and ploughing the land and sowing the stubble fields are urgently needed—yet this is precisely when fuel is lacking. The campaign to collect the new grain will not care whether Ballshi is undergoing repairs or whether there are transport difficulties. Let us think carefully about these problems, and solutions would undoubtedly have been found, as they must be found immediately. This does not mean that the targets and areas to be harvested by hand should not be achieved and exceeded. THANAS SAHAÇIÇU

At unit no. 1 of Tirana’s central fruit and vegetable market, where the outstanding saleswoman Valentina Hodo works. (Photo: N. Xhufka)