Komunikim- Shtypi

IT market in Albania after Covid-19: Three questions with Darin Gezdari / IBS SHPK

Interview: Three questions with Darin Gezdari / IBS SHPK

CCIFA: How do you think the IT market will fluctuate after the situation of COVID-19 pandemic in Albania?

D.G: The IT market in Albania and all over the world is facing difficult moments due to the long-lasting effects of COVID-19. The outbreak of COVID 19 has weakened the earnings in the first quarter of 2020 in the IT sector in our country. In a case such as this, when continued volatility is expected, it is wise to employ/implement strategies that enhance returns, whether the market shifts violently up or down. It means adopting strategies that benefit from volatility and can provide an opportunity for market-beating returns. The key is employing a strategy that allows the IT sector in Albania to make money in volatile markets regardless of which direction they turn. These conditions create an opportunity to protect against downside risk and increase income in our country, as well. COVID-19 will continue to effect the local IT market, but we should all collectively remain vigilant as we navigate through this period of uncertainty together.

CCIFA:  What do you think will be the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on employees and customers?

D.G: Companies should set priorities and manage the ongoing crisis. Many of them have put basic protections in place for their employees and customers. Companies have activated no-travel and work-from-home policies for some workers and physical-distancing-at-work measures for others. The challenge is evolving. For remote workers, interruptions are more frequent than in the office. Making a mental separation from a sometimes-chaotic home life is tough. Workers often are finding that they do not have the required skills and equipment to be successful in an extended remote environment since this method of working has not been practiced previously. In addition, companies should ensure fair prices for essential supplies for end consumers.

In my opinion, three goals are essential. Companies should increase communication, balancing the needs of the business with expectation setting and morale building, so employees know that their well-being is top of mind. There is also the need to change working norms, making remote work practical and simple whenever possible. Moreover, of course, we must protect employees and customers’ health, with whatever measures are appropriate to the workplace: positive hygiene habits, personal protective equipment, amended sick-leave policies—whatever it takes to ensure health and safety.

CCIFA: A message for CCI France-Albanie members?

D.G: As the world stays secured behind closed doors during COVID-19 lockdowns and self-quarantine, I would like to share some words of hope for everyone. What the world needs at this moment is that we really do need each other for support right now. Let us do our due diligence and take the necessary precautions. We need to take care of ourselves and of course those around us. Right now, more than ever before, we are all more dependent on each other than we ever have been. We have an enemy in coronavirus that is faceless, an enemy that we all agree we want to beat, and we are going to beat it. So, yes, let us be optimistic and overcome this extraordinary situation in the best way possible.