KASH AT A GLANCE

KASH consists presently of twenty one agribusiness trade associations and unifies associations of entrepreneurs and farmer’s unions into a strengthened advocacy front. Each of the members demonstrates democracy via electoral cycles at their annual general meetings. KASH selects its leaders at its own annual national election, based on the votes of constituent association presidents.
KASH is a permanent member of the Business Advisory Council, led by the Minister of the Economy. Other members of this council are the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture, General Directorate of Customs and other important government institutions. All draft legislation and regulations, related to business, are discussed at meetings of this body. KASH presence is proof of democratically based advocacy in Albanian agriculture. KASH has a regional role through its network of regional councils and meetings. KASH meets regularly on a quarterly basis in each of its five regions.
These regions, in addition to providing a connection between regional needs and national advocacy, have their own agendas developed and presented on an annual basis to regional authorities. Additionally, as local authorities begin to feel empowered, they have begun to participate in KASH regional meetings, not only to discuss advocacy issues, but also to develop a joint competitive strategy based on viable clusters. Importantly, as a result of the MOU between KASH and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MOAF), fully furnished offices are provided to KASH’s regional councils in the prefecture agricultural secretariats. Thus KASH has sustainable networking at the national and regional levels.

On May 12, 2005 KASH organized its second National Congress. In this Congress association members came from all over Albania to meet and agree on an advocacy resolution comprised of several issues. Representatives from all Albanian political parties were invited to respond to this resolution, detailing in the presence of media what their party would do with regard to specific requests and agricultural development in general. KASH’s Board of Directors and a plenum of more than 2000 members approved the resolution of this Congress. Agriculture and rural areas were represented democratically. This national advocacy program was presented to the MOAF, Parliamentary Committee for Agriculture, and the Council of Ministers.

KASH has been very active in working with the Government of Albania (GOA) in negotiating and concluding Free Trade Agreements (FTA-s) with Balkan countries. KASH participated in the negotiations of FTA-s for Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Bosnia Herzegovina. As a representative of the Albanian agricultural private sector, it influenced in final agreements, which have an impact on more than 60% of Albanians involved in agricultural and rural related workforce. KASH National Congress held on May 10, 2001 KASH cooperates closely with the USAID anti-corruption project and is a member of the Anti-Corruption Coalition. It has provided a forum for introduction of this program at board meetings and quarterly regional meetings and continues to do so. It also includes anti-corruption themes in its national advocacy resolutions. On the regional level, KASH regional councils have developed corruption related advocacy positions, which were presented to their local authorities.

With the support of Minister of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection, Mr.Jemin Gjana.

Another important role of KASH and industry based associations is advising international
donors on appropriateness of proposed interventions. KASH unity and prominence is seen as a resource particularly if the donor’s project targets the private sector. Failure to consult KASH in agriculture can result in unrealistic projects. KASH can ensure balance and support of appropriate strategies.

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KASH has an MOU with its homologue, AKA, in Kosova. AKA consists of five agricultural trade associations and the two umbrella groups have developed initiatives
together, not only under government auspices, but on their own, due to their perceptions as to their countries’ specific needs.
KASH will continue to work with other countries in the Balkans, with which Albania has FTA-s to create partnerships with homologue institutions. Establishment of these
partnerships promotes integration and facilitation into European accession. As EU accession issues often devolve around agriculture, a much more effective initiative could be developed in the Balkans via umbrella associations.