Being in an era of different undertaken economic reforms, during March –April 2015, FIAA conducted the “Business Environment” survey in cooperation with members of the association as well as other partners (such as Foreign Embassies and Chambers of Commerce) consisting in 91 successful face to face Interviews. The main focus was on gathering feedback and opinions on the business environment in Albania. Survey results will help FIAA identify the problems and challenges faced by investors, which should be addressed for government policies in order to improve the business environment in the country.This survey, implemented by IDRA Research & Consulting (www.idra.al) provides the Foreign Investors Association of Albania with insights on the business environment in Albania from a very special target group of CEOs or Administrators of some of the biggest companies operating in the country, along with their perceptions and attitudes towards various elements of the business environment, fiscal treatment, government relations, competition, informality etc.
Main issued that have been tackled were:
- Perceptions and Attitudes of Business Environment in Albania: -Elements Assessment; -Most Problematic Elements;
- Business Trust: -Conditions of Doing Business in Albania; -Confidence and Sentiment Indicators;
- National Economic Council and Council of Investments
- Tax Treatment; -Tax Inspections and Audits;
- Competition: -Competition and Price Reduction; -Competitors and Informal Sector.
According to FIAA Respondents, most problematic issues on the problems’ scale, were Courts, Frequent changes in Legislation and Tax Procedures followed by informal and illegal competition for the business environment in the Country. Also, Clarity of Tax Legislation and Procedures is among the “Major Problems” addressed by the Foreign Investors in Albania.
However, there were also picked some improvements related to issues such as Business Licenses and Permits, Environmental Controls, Labor Regulations and Access to Finance.
In response to the findings, Board of FIAA has already presented the results to the Prime Minister of Albania who showed a positive will for cooperation on addressing the defined obstacles with the respective Authorities and dedicated Working Groups with experts from both public and private Sector.