Albanian Steel Production-Albanian iron-steel producer Kurum International, owned by Turkish entrepreneur Hatice Melek Kurum, has unexpectedly halted operations at its Elbasan steel facility, as reported by local media. The company informed its 500 employees of the shutdown without an official explanation. However, unofficial sources suggest the pause is due to necessary repairs, according to Balkanweb.
I’m afraid that SeeNews’ attempts to obtain a comment from Kurum International have gone unanswered as of this publication.
Albanian Steel Production Halted
Recently, Kurum International has been embroiled in controversy, with local media linking the company to an environmental scandal. Two ships carrying toxic waste, allegedly originating from Albania, have sparked concerns. While Kurum International has denied any involvement, the US-based environmental watchdog Basel Action Network (BAN) alerted authorities in Albania and Thailand about the hazardous cargo en route to Cape Town from Durres.
An investigation by Reporter et al. revealed that the prosecutor’s office in Durres has identified Kurum International as the source of the hazardous materials.
Kurum has been operating in Albania since 1998, with activities spanning iron-steel production, energy, and industrial gases. In March 2016, the company filed for bankruptcy due to financial difficulties, but its assets were released in 2017, as recorded in Albania’s business register.
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