ON-GOING PROJECTS BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT REFORM AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING PROJECT (BERIS)
implementing a comprehensive medium-term strategy, including reviewing the institutional and legislative framework, to bring each of the MSTQ institutions closer to EU requirements and to meet industry’s needs; (b) increasing business sector awareness of the challenges and opportunities of competing in the EU markets; (c) strengthening the capacity of the General Directorate of Metrology and Calibration (GDMC), including modernizing the metrology infrastructure and, in particular, construction of a modern metrology laboratory, to perform basic measurements and calibrations services; (d) strengthening the capacity of the General Directorate of Standardization (DPS), including improving standards system through the translation and adoption of most frequently used EU standards; and (e) strengthening the capacity of the Directorate of Accreditation (DOA). (iii) Project Coordination Support. This component aims at ensuring proper implementation and coordination of the project activities, including support for financial management, procurement, M&E requirements. It will also support organization of periodic business surveys, integrated public information campaigns for the MSTQ system, and building of a more effective public-private sector dialogue on reforms. The component will also assist in the dissemination of progress made by the Government in improving the business environment among the business community, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders. Key project beneficiaries would be public sector institutions involved in drafting business sector-related policies and in the delivery of public services (MSTQ institutions, Department of Trade Policy, etc.) for domestic and foreign businesses and regulators. Consumer protection and business associations – although non-direct project beneficiaries – will continue to be involved during project implementation. Project Achievements The Government has maintained the momentum on the business regulatory reform. The Business Registration Center and the Business Licensing Centre have been established, are fully operational and are extending across the country. Right now, BERIS is supporting with expertise and advise one of the most complex business reforms: the inspection reform. The government has decided to change the inspection regime and to embark in a new, efficient and non-abusive model. Currently, the model has been identified and the consulting firm together with World Bank experts are drafting the new law on inspection as well as starting the training for public officials and inspectors. A fully functional system for Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), including its institutions and procedures, is supposed to be in place at the end of the contract. The National MSTQ Strategy and the Metrology Strategy have been approved by the Government and those documents set the vision and objectives of the quality infrastructure in Albania for a 10-year period. A new metrology building is expected to be one of the most substantial physical investments under BERIS, and the design for the building has already been completed. The bidding documents for the construction have been issued and the construction works are supposed to start at the beginning of July. In the meantime two lots of metrology equipment are soon to be installed in the Metrology Department. The good progress made by DPS over the past several months has to be acknowledged. Notably they have selected a local consultant to assess and improve the existing Standard Data Manager Database and ICT infrastructure at DPS. Both the Accreditation and Standard Departments have been moving according to the plan on the training of staff.
Implementing Agencies
Beneficiaries The Department of Trade Policy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy, the General Directorate for Metrology the General Directorate of Standardization and the Directorate of Accreditation.
Disbursement
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy
US$ 2 million (as of May 2010)
Contact Points
Status Under implementation Task Team Leader Donato De Rosa, Tel: 202-458-8522; Fax: 202-522-3687 Borrower Albania Project Officer Coordinator The Sulko, Immovable Property Registration Office of the Ministry of Justice Project at Tirana Office Evis Tel: 355-4-2280657; Fax: 355-4-2240590; (IPRO),Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Public Works, Transport e-mail: esulko@worldbank.org and Telecommunication Government Contact Person Pranvera Kastrati, Project Coordinator, Department of Trade Policy, Tel. 4 2364 673; e-mail: vkastrati@mete.gov.al Project Cost US$355 56 million
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