Latest of Bangladesh

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In 1819, when Sir Stamford Raffles first set foot on the small island that would become modern-day Singapore, he recognized its immense potential. Perched at the narrowest choke point of the Malacca Strait – the gateway between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea – this unassuming trading post offered a strategic perch for moving spices, silk, and tea from the Far East to imperial Britain. Raffles may not have envisioned giant container ships or AI-powered cranes, but he understood one thing clearly: a nation’s destiny is defined by its geography.

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In recent years, municipalities across Albania have increasingly turned to public enterprises to deliver essential services, acknowledging their potential to support local development. These enterprises are entrusted with responsibilities ranging from urban waste management and public transportation to local markets, sports facilities, and public lighting. As Albania undergoes profound institutional reforms, local public enterprises (LPEs), particularly those responsible for waste management, operate in a fragmented legal and operational landscape. In contrast, European Union (EU) member states such as Germany and France offer more mature and legally consolidated models, where public enterprises are structured for efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Unlike commercial private-sector companies, LPEs are driven by public interest rather than profit. Their primary mission is not revenue generation but the delivery of quality services for citizens. However, balancing public service obligations with operational sustainability remains one of their core challenges. Too often, the lack of profitability undermines their long-term efficiency, while insufficient regulation weakens public trust.

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