News

The Foreign Investors Association of Albania (FIAA) on May 9^th, 2022 held its Annual Assembly Meeting. In this meeting were presented the main activities and the work program of the Association along with the main challenges of its 2022 Agenda.

During this Meeting, the Assembly of Members elected the new President of FIAA Mr. Alessandro D’Oria, along with the new members to the Board of Directors that together will lead the Association in the next years.

FIAA is happy to announce the election of its new President, Mr Alessandro D’Oria elected during the General Assembly Meeting.

We thank all the members for the support and cooperation throughout 22 years of FIAA in Albania!

In frame of the FIAA’s mission to improve the business climate in Albania, the Survey on Business Environment in Albania 2022 is currently being conducted. This survey is addressed to all the members of FIAA and other foreign businesses/Institutions operating in Albania in order to collect direct feedback and insights on the doing business climate in the country. The Survey results will help us to identify the most concerning issues and challenges faced by them while doing business in Albania, which will be further shared and addressed with the relevant Public Authorities.

In frame of the discussions for the chapters of the European Integration Partnership Platform, FIAA’s representatives appointed in the groups have been active in the organized Working discussions. During the period January-March have been held discussion tables, specifically on the following Chapters:

In frame of the engagement of the Ministry of Finance to tackle the business recommendations from the FIAA’s White Book 2021-2025, along with some other recommendations from business organizations in the country, during February-March have been organized several online meetings on: Tax, Hydrocarbons, Fiscal Regime on Hydrocarbons, Fiscalization, Concessions, Renewable Energy, Banking Regulatory Framework, Residence and Work Permit. During discussion with experts of the Ministry and other Authorities involved, have been concluded some recommendations provided, others have been closed as they no longer are relevant or are in process to be solved, and many Open status issues require further consultation and technical meeting discussions, to be hold in the following weeks/months.

Deputy President of FIAA Mrs. Rigela Gegprifti and Executive Director Ms. Marinela Jazoj met with Mr. Gareth Evans, the Trade Policy Advisor of the British Embassy Belgrade covering the Western Balkans. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and elaborate on cooperation with the British Embassy in support of British investments in Albania. During the meeting it was highlighted the importance of a better investment in the country along with easing the bureaucracy, fight against corruption and a pro-business environment. Among others, it was also discussed the close cooperation between FIAA and the British investors in the country.

Ms. Marinela Jazoj, FIAA’s Executive Director and Mrs. Katalin Beszteri, Trade and Commercial Attaché in the Embassy of Hungary in Albania hold a discussion meeting to strengthen communication, exchange views on the business climate, as well as further expand cooperation with Hungarian’ investments in Albania. In the last 2 years there has been an increasing interest of the Hungarian investments in the country in the sectors of Banking, Telecommunications and Energy putting Hungary in the map of the FDI-s contribution in the economy of Albania.

April 2022 marks the 22^nd anniversary of FIAA establishment. At this occasion, the Management of FIAA received to a private gathering its founding and long-standing members who achieved 20+years Membership. Going back 22 years ago, when FIAA was founded, distinguished foreign Businesses, Entrepreneurs and CEO-s, members of FIAA shared together their best moments, difficulties and challenges in the early years when Albania entered the free market economy! The President of FIAA and the Executive Director thanked the members for the trust and loyalty throughout the 22 years!

The High Judicial Council in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice completed on March 11th, 2022, the public consultation cycle on the proposal for the new Judicial Map.

The cycle of 8 consultative meetings during January-March 2022, has had 6 consultations with stakeholders exercising their activity in the jurisdictions of the courts of appeal Vlora, Gjirokastra, Shkodra, Korca, Durres and Tirana and 2 meetings with representatives of civil society and the business community. These meetings were attended by representatives from local chambers of advocacy, representatives from the General Prosecutor’s Office, judges and judicial civil servants.

The Foreign Investors Association of Albania (FIAA) hold in February 17th its yearly event, a traditional celebration which gathered the Foreign Business Community in Albania and the highest Diplomatic representatives along with key institutions in the country. The Event, called “A Prosperous Business Year 2022”, was greeted by the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Ms. Belinda Balluku who together with her key staff paid a serious commitment and engaged in thoughtful discussions with all the participants.