Albania Economia
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Coca-Cola celebrates its first 30 years in Albania, establishing itself as a brand that has become an integral part of Albanian lifestyle and a company that has significantly contributed to the country’s growth over the past decades. These are the reasons behind the event held at the Pyramid of Tirana in the presence of Prime Minister Edi Rama on Sunday, May 19, exactly on the day when the production plant of CCBS (Coca-Cola Bottling Shqipëria), an Italian-led company, began its operations back in 1994.
The Pyramid of Tirana, a symbol representing a bridge between Albania’s past and its vision for the future, was chosen by CCBS to commemorate its journey: from its beginnings in the ’90s to a present characterized by development and investments. The Busi family, owners of CCBS, produces and distributes The Coca-Cola Company’s products in the Albanian market and selected this significant venue to highlight their commitment to medium- and long-term sustainability goals.
Luca Busi, President of Coca-Cola Bottling Shqipëria, stated: “We are proud of the Prime Minister’s presence and grateful for the two wonderful artistic designs he dedicated to CCBS to celebrate these 30 years of Coca-Cola in Albania, which we were able to produce in a can for this special toast. This anniversary, rather than being oriented towards the past, is an opportunity for CCBS to reaffirm its commitment to ensure the company’s growth continues to align with the country’s development, guaranteeing our contribution to economic growth and adopting a concrete and effective perspective in the business and sustainability evolution process.”
Maria Cristina Busi Ferruzzi, CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Shqipëria, said: “I had the pleasure of meeting Edi Rama in the ’90s when he was Minister of Culture at a concert in Butrint that launched a new season for Albania. A relationship of mutual respect has grown over time, sharing the same vision of this country’s potential and beauty. As Prime Minister, he has always been a practical and attentive institutional interlocutor, who has retained his creativity as an artist. We will continue to operate with the same collaborative spirit and friendship that has characterized our development over the years.”
Phillipine Mtikitiki, Vice President and General Manager for Italy and Albania of The Coca-Cola Company, said: “The success of Coca-Cola in all the countries where it operates stems from the constant collaboration with our bottling partners, their strong connection with the market, and the ability to adapt our product offerings to consumer tastes. We are proud that Coca-Cola has become so connected to Albania over the past 30 years, thanks to the commitment of the Busi family, the daily work of the CCBS team across the country, and the appreciation of Albanians who choose Coca-Cola to refresh themselves, share a passion, and enjoy moments of conviviality.”
Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, declared: “Coca-Cola is inextricably linked to our history in a very special way. For the young people out there now, I’m sure it seems impossible to you, but when we were young, Coca-Cola was the most desirable item we could expect when we got married. I remember one time my father went to Kosovo and brought back 5 cans of Coca-Cola. There were 5 of us, and the cans remained in the fridge awaiting the birthday of each family member. On each anniversary, a can was drawn, which was pretty much the equivalent of a 19th-century Don Perignon pulled from a cellar.”
“You drank it at the end, with glasses of brandy, and savored it, sipping it slowly as if it were the last time. For this reason, the phrase from a film comes to mind according to which Coca-Cola brought freedom to Albania, in the sense that when there were many cans of that drink in the shops, and they could be bought freely, then it was like confirming the fact that in our country the dictatorship had ended because we could drink Coca-Cola freely,” continued Rama.
“I felt truly pampered by the prospect of having been able to provide a small contribution to this birthday of Coca-Cola, but to avoid any possible gossip regarding what the evil ones might think behind the drawings, I intend to point out right now that it was a gift to this beautiful company, and there is no contract or intention to obtain compensation, other than the public social interest in that this industry grows more and more, creating qualified work, sustainable development, and promotion of Made in Albania,” underlined the Prime Minister.
“If Albania was able to connect to Italy and the West in the best way, the credit must be ascribed to both television and Coca-Cola. The latter was here before us and will continue after us. Wishing her eternal life is easy, because it will be eternal,” concluded Rama.
For those who wish to learn about the history of Coca-Cola in Albania, the video stories by Mrs. Cristina Busi Ferruzzi, founder of the company, are available below. The videos were produced by Albania Economia Magazine.
