In a bid to reverse the significant emigration trend to Britain, an Albanian mayor is extending a tax-free living proposal to entice citizens back to their homeland. The northern Kukes

Municipality, grappling with nearly half its population migrating since 1990, primarily to the UK, aims to attract returning expats by providing tax exemptions for starting new businesses.

Mayor Albert Halilaj expressed determination to collaborate with the British government, aiming to facilitate the return of Albanians residing in England. Promising tax relief for returning expatriates establishing new enterprises in Kukes, he seeks to facilitate their transition into a renewed life within the region.

Acknowledging the efforts, the British Embassy intends to extend support through substantial contributions. Concurrently, initiatives focus on training local residents within one of Albania's underprivileged regions, aiming to dissuade further emigration towards the UK.

Halilaj emphasized a collective stance against illegal migration to England while foreseeing evolving opportunities to generate income. Nevertheless, recent surveys by SwissContact unveiled that approximately 35% of current Kukes residents wish to depart, with 59% expressing a desire to migrate to the UK.

Youth unemployment remains a pressing issue driving emigration, luring young individuals with prospects of lucrative jobs in London and beyond. Notably, reports have surfaced about teenagers as young as 13 contemplating perilous voyages across the English Channel in search of a better future.

The repercussions of this migration trend reveal unsettling realities—emigrants falling prey to criminal networks upon arrival, often engaging in illicit activities such as cultivating cannabis. Their return with substantial wealth distorts local economies and inflates property prices in Albania.

The driving forces behind emigration from Kukes range from high living costs (58%) to youth unemployment (37%) and poverty (35%). Moreover, the pandemic's impact on the nation's economy, as highlighted by the World Bank, has contributed to a considerable rise in poverty rates.

As part of efforts to address migration challenges, the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has initiated the 'New Perspectives' project in Kukes. This initiative aims to bolster social and economic opportunities, enhance skills, empower vulnerable communities, and promote local entrepreneurship while fostering informed life decisions and gender equality. Photo by Maju603, Wikimedia commons.