Shkodra free zone

Inspired by Sir Stanford Raffles (who, in 1819, after
declaring Singapore a “free port”, transformed the backward island,
with a territory 647,5 square km, into one the most developed centres
of the Southeast Asian region) the outstanding diplomat Mr. Spencer,
the missionary of Foreign Office for the Balkans in Shkoder, during
Second half of 19 th century reported to London “…steam- ships of
hundreds of tons cargo sail in the Buna River and the lake towards
Shkodra city. Therefore, if Shkodra is declared a free port and joins
the Trans Serbia-Danube road, will become very important in the
region.”
Right at this moment the sailing boats of Shkodra and Ulqini
were on competition with the Austrian steam-ships that were sailing
on Buna River since the beginning of 19 th century. Shkodra’s
reaction in fact was not delayed. The supremacy of the Austrians
represented mainly by the steam-ships of Lloyd Company started to
feel the competing effect of the city owner’s steam-ships. In
competition with Lloyd Company, Jak Muzhani managed to buy the
yacht of the Bianchi Family (very luxurious and modern for that
time).
The port-city of Shkoder, 1917
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