nr. 97 / 18 tentor 2006

Boom of investments in Shkodra. The Italian giant, “Cotonella” makes its center in the biggest town of the North.

The well-known businessman from Shkodra, Gjergj Leqejza, will be the general director of “Cotonella”, centered in Shkodra, having the full trust of the family Zannier, which gave life in 1972, to the known production of underwear. In March 2007, “Cotonella” will be a “registered mark” of Shkodra.

It was 1972 when Maurizio and Donatella Zannier, founded the “Cotonella” enterprise, for underwear production, now one of the main leaders in all Europe and beyond. Year after year, now helped also by their sons, they have developed their business, with the support and engagement all the collaborators and in these 35 years they’ve helped in growing the enterprise with a wide inclusion, professionalism and a spirit of group.

12 years ago, they made their first steps of investment in Albania, trusting one of the first laboratories of “Cotonella”, to the well-known businessman of Shkodra, Gjergj Leqejza. This is how one of the most serious and useful investments in Shkodra and beyond, enrooted. One of the most serious plagues of the Albanian transition, the unemployment, begun to decrease. Thousands of women, month after month, and year after year, were employed in these laboratories. Beside the life assurance and their families, they gained a new work experience, with contemporary European parameters. The work environment improved in the course of the years. On the other hand, noting the good progress of “Cotonella”, directed by Leqejza in Shkodra, the proprietors, the family Zannier, increased the work, making new possibilities of employment for many families of Shkodra.

Albania and Shkodra, were gradually drawing nearer to the mad spring of 1997. All businesses were paralyzed. The law was decided by the power of the guns and criminals. Nevertheless, even in these conditions, Gjergj Leqejza, with many sacrifices, went on with his activity. It was a hard decision to be made, but very important: thousands of families could suffer even hunger if the “Cotonella” laboratories were closed. Expenses had to grow. It was necessary not only to care about defending the laboratories and the very expensive machines, but also to make safe the way to work and back home for the workers. Busses were assigned, resolving many problems for many families of Shkodra, whose members were employed.

No matter these difficulties, while bullets and guns were present at every place, in every moment of the day, the “Cotonella” laboratories could continue their work almost normally, keeping the economical stability of thousands of families of Shkodra. At the head of the problems was the businessman Gjergj Leqejza himself.

Years passed and the economical and social stability was being normalized. The “Cotonella” laboratories increased their activity, increasing also the number of the employees. We all remember the numerous announcements for employees in the “MADISH” and “Shqipëria Trikot” enterprises, where they found always better work conditions. Within these laboratories there was a familiar spirit. In the occasion of different feasts, there were not only presents but also monetary rewards. In the meantime, these laboratories seem more like their similar in other countries of the world.

In these 12 years, the businessman Gjergj Leqejza, showed his abilities in managing the “Cotonella” laboratories. This obviously hit the eye of the proprietors, the family Zannier, who made the very important decision which is revealed very fruitful for Shkodra and Albania. The well-known underwear mark will move its center from Italy to Shkodra. All the products of this company will be marked “Made in Shkodra, Albania”. This is not all, because Shkodra will be the main distributor of material to be send to various countries of the world, wherever there are “Cotonella” laboratories. The general director of “Cotonella” will be Gjergj Leqejza, who has reached now what no businessman can dream about.

Even now, Gjergj Leqejza is at work. He has very much to do. Besides other production activities of various aspects of business, now there are being prepared new areas for “Cotonella” in Shkodra. It is about giant investments in thousands of square meters, what will include new sections for productions, wrapping, storage etc. With the center of “Cotonella” in Shkodra, which will be realized by March 2007, a number of around 5 thousands of employees will be needed. This means more help to decrease unemployment in Shkodra and beyond.

In addition to what we mentioned above, the coming of “Cotonella” in our town is without any doubt the merit of Gjergj Leqejza, who isn’t just a noted businessman, but also a distinguished diplomatic, as the Honorific Consul of Austria in Shkodër. It is also an increment of prestige when a well-known mark of underwear like “Cotonella” will enter the market like a product of Albania and Shkodra.

Returning to what is to be said about “Cotonella”, it is noticed a team work in all professional levels, as a good instrument of connection between individuals with the enterprise and the enterprise with customers. For more than 10 years, part of production process was placed outside Italy, Shkodër in this case. In all the structures, strongly synchronized on the philosophy of quality, what characterizes the “Italian mother-home”, work over 1000 highly qualified people. The activity of “Cotonella” doesn’t simply involve producing and selling underwear, but various sponsoring also. One of the latest and important sponsoring is that of Miss Italy 2006, while the 19 years old winner, Claudia Andreati, can be considered a “Cotonella girl”. For the 11^th year “Cotonella” is the main sponsor of this very important activity of Italian beauty. Andreati, the winner of Miss Italy 2006, will be the “witness” of “Cotonella” for one year, during the events and manifestations organized by the enterprise. The example of perfect and professional management of “Cotonella” in Shkodër, by Gjergj Leqejza, should surely be followed by many other businessmen. It is very important in business, to have good profits. But this isn’t enough. Harder work is needed to become famous and be trusted by foreign investors, as it is the case of the Italians of “Cotonella”.

Vasel Gilaj

Artur Vashja

32 Prime Ministers in the Albanian history: From Ismail Qemali to Sali Berisha

-Since the first Albanian State of 1912, Albania was led by 32 Prime Ministers.

-The first Prime Minister was Ismail Qemali, while the last is Sali Berisha.

-The youngest Prime Minister was Ahmet Zogu, 27 years old.

-The oldest Prime Minister was Pandeli Evangjeli, 73 years old.

Here are their names:

1. Ismail Qemali

2. Turhan Pasha

3. Sulejman Delvina

4. Iljaz Vrioni

5. Pandeli Vangjeli

6. Qazim Koculi

7. Hasan Prishtina

8. Idhamen Kosturi

9. Xhafer Ypi

10. Ahmet Zogu

11. Fan Noli

12. Kostaq Kota

13. Mehdi Frashëri

14. Shefqet Vërlaci

15. Mustafa Kruja

16. Ekrem Libohova

17. Maliq Bushati

18. Ali Këlcyra

19. Ibrahim Biçaku

20. Rexhep Mitrovica

21. Fiqiri Dine

22. Enver Hoxha

23. Mehmet Shehu

24. Adil Çarçani

25. Fatos Nano

26. Ylli Bufi

27. Vilson Ahmeti

28. Aleksandër Meksi

29. Bashkim Fino

30. Pandeli Majko

31. Ilir Meta

32. Sali Berisha

Val Preka