— Aim: By the end of June, products worth 9 million lekë more than the targets will be delivered — The implementation of the new economic mechanism, by granting enterprises the right to use part of their export overfulfilment as investment to expand production and improve its technology, has increased readiness and become an incentive for the working class of the Librazhd district to increase production for export. Although exports this year have increased 2.5 times compared with 1988, giving them priority attention meant that the six-month target was met on 10 June, and by the end of the month exports are expected to exceed the target by 9 million lekë in products. What is distinctive about this period is that all enterprises with export targets have met and exceeded them. The miners are at the forefront. During May-June they exceeded their export targets by more than 22 percent. The chromium mine collective is striving to exceed its six-month export target by more than 4 million 500 thousand lekë, of which more than 2 million 300 thousand are due to the improved quality of the ore. The collective of the copper-nickel mine—the iron-nickel mine—also fulfilled its targets ahead of schedule. At the Social Works [unclear], they are striving to provide exports with 3 million 700 thousand lekë more in products by the end of June. The Heroes of Socialist Labour wood-processing collective also exceeded its six-month export target by 78 percent. The achievements and experience gained so far are serving as a foundation for meeting and exceeding the targets for the whole year. XHEVDET ALMETA

A moment at work at the Banja hydroelectric power plant. (Photo: L. Lika - ATSH)

— SEED QUALITY IS IMPROVING; THEIR PRICES ARE NOT CHANGING. SCIENTIFIC THINKING CAN BE BETTER APPRECIATED IN THE WORK ON SEEDS. — A broad network of agricultural institutes spread throughout the country, and a whole army of specialists and scientists, have ensured that care for seed is constantly increasing. Work with seed and care for it at every stage of production and economic distribution have a major role in the high yields of maize, wheat, potatoes, etc. But while recognizing the work with seed as a given and as a highly valuable achievement, we believe that some of its problems and aspects can be viewed differently. 1. Seed, as the very name suggests, is the beginning of life. The value of seed potatoes, wheat, maize, alfalfa, fruit-tree seedlings, etc., is determined by the work required to produce it and by the accounts, which establish its selling price. But intellectual work accounts for very little in the value of seed. Specialists’ work with seed, and its value in increasing production, have been assessed symbolically, minimally, or not at all. When in Dibër we speak of Bellova, Staraveci, Klenja or Stebleva—the example in potato production—one could add the names of the farms in one’s own district; when we speak of Brezhdan in connection with alfalfa-seed production, or of the fruit-tree nursery at the Dibër state farm, the moral and material incentive is passed down to the brigade and its foreman. In the press we write, ‘Zari’s Brigade’ and the foreman ... harvested 300 quintals per hectare of potatoes...’. The work of these people must be valued, but to the same extent we must also acknowledge the work of the specialists who supplied production with this seed. This should be reflected in specialists’ salaries and remuneration, as well as in the value of the seed. Because what happens? For seed potatoes produced in Bellovë, Staravec and elsewhere, on land where tractors cannot go and work is done by hand, 500–600 workdays are spent per hectare. The price of the seed should include not only production costs, but also differential rent. Our society needs to obtain produce even from the steepest land without backing away. But to harvest 100 quintals of potatoes per hectare on such land, you have to spend two, three or more times as much labour as on the plain. Yet Bellova supplies seed potatoes to the seed depots according to quality, at 3.1, 2.9 and 2.6 lekë per kilogram, respectively. The seed depot adds 30 qindarka to this price per kilogram and sells them to the farms on the plain. Those farms buy the seed potatoes, plant them in December-January, give them (compared with Bellova) a few token treatments, and then bring ‘early potatoes’ to market at a price higher than the value and price of the seed. Which is more valuable, seed potatoes or potatoes for consumption? Which should have the higher price? Everyone, specialist or not, will say without hesitation: ‘Seed should have the higher price.’ A few years ago, the price of seed potatoes was almost twice that of potatoes for consumption (for autumn potatoes). Now the prices of seed potatoes and potatoes for consumption are so close that it is not worth doing special selection work. This pricing mechanism diminishes scientific work and responsibility for seed. So that its consequences are not felt in production tomorrow, reassessments are essential. Farms on the plain, being better situated and earning more, should buy seed potatoes in the highlands at a higher price than the price they receive for sales on the domestic market and for export. Meanwhile, specialists on the plain, at the bases we have established, raise the point that they harvest 60–80 quintals of potatoes per hectare. That may indeed be the case, but the highland cooperative member says: ‘You too, sweat as much as I do, spend as much as I do, and you’ll certainly get more than I do.’ 2. In Dibër, fruit growing—the one million fruit trees in blocks and the tens of thousands of quintals of fruit supplied to the domestic and foreign markets and the food industry—originates in the fruit-tree nursery, the brigade that has been producing seedlings for nearly 40 years. It is paradoxical for this brigade to be given a plan and end up making a loss. The reason must also be sought in the low price of seedlings. A fruit-tree seedling costs 5.6 lekë and is sold for 2.6 lekë. The brigade foreman says that ‘the cost would be higher if...’, but [they do not provide] the seedling with all the care it requires... Thus, in the name of price and cost, science is abused. A price set 30 years ago remains unchanged, despite the fact that during this time workers’ wages and the prices of raw materials have risen considerably. This rigidity has cost—and continues to cost—dearly. This year, a number of imported fruit-tree seedlings were planted at the Dibër state farm. One seedling cost 50 lekë (around 20 times more than the price of our seedlings). This makes us ask: could the low price of seedlings have contributed to the neglect of orchards, to low rates of establishment and token care, and to the considerable delays before they begin producing? We think so, just as we think it is a mistake to regard fruit-tree nurseries as ... (Continued on page 2)

— An experiment with economic benefits. — NEWS FROM PRODUCTION After several years of experimental and research work, forestry engineer Ferdin Liçi succeeded in cultivating mountain tea at an elevation of 400 m above sea level, and obtained a yield of 20 quintals of dried tea per hectare in the experimental plot. The appearance and physiological development of this plant in the experimental plot are almost unbelievable, given that its natural range

— An experiment with economic benefits. — unbelievable, given that its natural range lies between 900 and 1,800 m above sea level. Ferdin Liçi is the winner of the 1988 award in the field of science and technology for his work «Study of the medicinal flora of the Tepelenë district», presented at the national exhibition of young talents. He reads in two foreign languages and is passionate about experiments with great economic potential for increasing natural and cultivated products for the economy and exports. In response to our question about the motivating factors and the future direction of his work, he says: — During 1981–1988 I worked on studying and inventorying the pastures and medicinal plants of the Progonat-Dukaj-Si-nanaj mountain massif. Noticing the rapid degradation of mountain tea due to indiscriminate harvesting gave me the idea of cultivating and processing this plant in a regulated way, making use of unused stony land or land that currently yields uneconomic harvests at elevations of 400–800 m above sea level. The results are very promising. This year we managed to obtain 20 quintals per hectare in the first year of production, but it is known that this plant is perennial, and its rustic nature leads us to believe that with minimal care (only two hoeings) we will achieve an even greater yield over a ten-year period. At present, the cost of cultivating one hectare is about 17,000 lekë and the first year’s production is valued at 20,000 lekë; in subsequent years, it will require care costing 4,000 lekë. We believe that cultivating mountain tea is highly profitable. Compared with even the most useful agricultural crops, such as wheat, which yields 1.5–2 lekë in income for every lek spent, mountain tea yields 3–4 lekë for every lek spent. We have a clear vision for the future of this work. We are concentrating our efforts on creating a production base for adapted seed, with the aim of establishing a 7-hectare block, where we will secure a yield matching the natural production of our district. At the same time, I am also studying the possibility of cultivating mountain tea interplanted with bay laurel. Just as the recent plenums of the Party’s Central Committee have urged further growth in exports, we believe that the foreign-trade authorities could consider ways to promote this native plant in foreign markets. LAMIE SELMANI head of the finance section at the executive committee of the Tepelenë District People’s Council

A new [trigan[i?]] has been built and will soon begin operating, for unloading railway wagons, in the Thekna sector of the «11 Heronjtë» chromium mine in Krastë, Mat district; it will make the workers’ tasks easier. In the same sector, a new sorting plant was inaugurated a few days ago, which will process around 20,000 tons of high-grade chromium ore. K. GJONI

Among the work collectives of the enterprises in the Fier district, the workers at the cotton collection and processing plant stand out: they fulfilled their six-month targets, delivering 4.5 million lekë worth of additional products. This enabled all contracts and accounts to be settled. S. SHEQI

• These days, the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the district’s historical museum was celebrated in the town of Çorovodë. The event was accompanied by several activities, including the exhibition “20-year record of the institution’s activities,” an exhibition of new archaeological finds from various parts of the district, an exhibition of traditional musical instruments, and an exhibition on the tradition of grape processing, which opened to the public in Theërapel[?]. • The amateur variety troupe of the «Rizo Cerova» cultural center and folk arts [house] in Çorovodë performed a show for the people of Çorovodë and the surrounding district. The songs by Gëzim Zyhafi, the [?] dances of Çuçom, as well as the comic skit by Ylli Çafoku and other amateur artists were warmly received. They brought onto the stage, in keeping with the character of the people, humorous literary material from Përmet that provoked [?] applause. • Now, as the school year comes to an end and the eight-year school in the town of Çorovodë finishes its year, in cooperation with [?], an event is being held at the cultural center, a musical [event] from the tourist spot in an activity in this [?] district. This year, the event will be enriched by cultural activities and other artists throughout the season. • The cultural center of the town of Poliçan[?] is preparing a mobile brigade[?] of amateurs, which is performing songs, comedy, etc., with music, at the plots where the [?] work, as a touring group. This brigade has always been accompanied by [?] from the villages, as well as by beautiful [?]. • year, in cooperation with [?], in cooperation with «Riza Cerova» spot is being held as an activity in this [?] activities and other artists throughout the season. A. OMORRI

- Recently, there has been an increase in tourism activity in our country. What can you tell us about this? Editor Viron Gjymshana met with Ruhi Sheqi, director of Albturizmi’s General Directorate, and conducted the following interview: - Recently, there has been an increase in tourism activity in our country. I want to emphasize from the outset that we do not regard it merely as a commercial enterprise, but also as a bridge of mutual friendship between peoples, between people. Many foreign visitors who come to our country as tourists thus have the opportunity to learn about the Albanian reality, the beauties of our nature, its past and present, and in this way form a fuller and clearer opinion of Albania. They then pass these impressions on to their friends in their own countries. We are pleased to observe that interest from abroad in visiting our country has grown. - How is the arrival of foreign tourists organized? - Until now, the arrival of foreign tourists has been organized mainly in groups, but also individually, through various tourist companies in other countries and the friendship associations of those countries with ours. Foreigners have a great deal of interest in coming to Albania as tourists, because they particularly appreciate the peacefulness they find in our country. They also value the beauty and the many contrasts presented by our nature within a relatively small area, the numerous historical and cultural monuments, etc. Naturally, given the development tourism has undergone in the world today, more abundant information about Albania and the future development of our country, sometimes provided through various media abroad, can help change perceptions and arouse curiosity and interest among different people in getting to know Albania, its past and present. - Are there studies on the opportunities tourism offers in our country and its near-term future? - Despite the achievements, I think tourism still does not occupy the place warranted by the prospects and opportunities our country has, given its natural beauty and the tourist facilities we possess. Until now, comprehensive and detailed studies needed to meet these requirements have been lacking. As a result, there are shortcomings that it is our duty to correct as soon as possible, also in implementation of the tasks set out by the latest plenum of the Party’s Central Committee. First of all, with a few minor exceptions, the existing tourist hotels have a one-sided function: they provide only food and accommodation, and lack suitable recreational facilities. Work is under way in several directions to change this situation. First of all, construction work is being carried out at some of the main existing hotels, such as Hotel «Dajti» in Tirana, Hotel «Durësi» and «Apollonia» at our best-known beach, etc. Other tourist hotels are also being built and will be put into operation, such as the one built in Kukës and the one at the Ardenica Monastery in Lushnjë, etc. A separate tourist village is also being built at Llogara. Meanwhile, work continues on the construction of new tourist hotels in Vlorë and Gjirokastër. All this work is connected with the future development of tourism in 1990–1995, which is expected to be concentrated mainly in the coastal area and the Riviera, because transport is convenient and can be arranged by sea as well as by land. The climate there also allows hotels to be used for up to 250 days a year, something I would consider a major advantage and one that foreigners appreciate. Given the opportunities this area offers for building tourist centers, the initial study is expected to cover the creation of 7 tourist centers, 2 of which will be designed as tourist villages and 5 as hotel complexes. These developments are expected to be built near populated centers so that they can be operated as rationally as possible and provide more jobs and foreign-currency earnings. In building these centers, we will draw on the traditional values of our architecture. In implementing the tasks set for expanding tourism, this year’s plan and revenues forecast a greater increase than in the past. Foreign-currency revenues will rise by about 1.5 times in relation to tourists and by around 72 percent, while the number ... - What is Albturizmi doing to acquaint people with and popularize the country ... (Continued on page 3)

In one of the workshops of the clothing enterprise in Përmet. (Photo: N. Xhufka) In one of the workshops of the clothing enterprise in Përmet. (Photo: N. Xhufka)

Mechanizing production A new [trigan[i?]] has been built and work will begin there shortly, for unloading railway wagons, in the Theka sector of the «11 Heronjtë» chromium mine in Kraste district—

The [?] carried out two | XHEVDET ALMETA