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Doing Business in Albania: Reforms & Opportunities
FOREWORD
Firstly, my thanks go to many Albanian Government representatives, expert speakers, and those from the UK who gave up their time to share insights and expertise with us at the UK-Albanian Business and Reform Forum. The Embassy was delighted to work with IBDE to deliver, what I believe, was an extremely successful meeting. The Forum attracted over 140 participants, from government, business, diplomacy, civil society and academia. I also wish to thank our IBDE partners for preparing this Report, which draws on the presentations of speakers and Forum discussions. In this report, IBDE have sought to identify those business opportunities and reform priorities most likely to support and advance Albania’s business, economic and European Union (EU) ambitions. In addition, it includes policy recommendations and an Action Plan for business and other stakeholders. We hope that the Report will serve both as a basis for discussion on future reforms, and also as a guide and reference for British (and other international) businesses interested in investing in Albania. As an enlargement champion, the UK government is convinced that Albania belongs in the EU. We have consistently stated our strategic commitment to the Western Balkans region and are supporting Albania’s EU journey. We are working alongside our Albanian, EU and other international partners to help support the necessary reform processes (identified in the European Commission’s 2010 Opinion and 2011 Annual Progress Report). We see progress on business and economic reform as an important www.ibde.org
element of that effort and a way to boost UK and international investment confidence in the Albanian market. Potential investors need to see Albania as part of a larger European market, when devising their investment strategies. Building prosperity is a core objective of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Commercial Diplomacy lies at the heart of UK foreign policy in Albania and globally. Foreign direct investment (FDI) can act as an important driver of reform in aspirant EU countries. This Report, as part of the UKAlbania Forum, brings together bilateral and multilateral policy and business perspectives. It builds on our Commercial Insights Booklet (launched in Autumn 2011), which provided a snapshot for business of opportunities in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia. Copies are available for download from the Embassy’s website: http://ukinalbania.fco.gov.uk/en/business/ Albania and the UK share a strong bilateral relationship, founded on business links, friendship, and a wealth of common interests, all of which offer many opportunities for increased trade and investment. Albania’s potential is clear – its people are entrepreneurial, talented, skilled and dynamic. We hope to use this report to capitalise on that potential.
Fiona Mcllwham British Ambassador Albania IBDE – Integrating World Markets