News

The members of the FIAA’s Energy Committee gathered in March 31st to discuss on the common concerns and challenges of the Energy Industry in Albania.

During this meeting, it was agreed that the role of the Energy Committee to go to another level, by formally establishing the Energy Industry Council, which will serve as a platform for dialogue and consultation with the Albanian institutional bodies and beyond.

The EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Council (SA Council) held its twelfth meeting on 16 March in Tirana. The meeting was chaired by Mr Josep Borrell Fontelles, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

In March 10^th, FIAA together with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of Albania and the State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination (SASPAC) organized the Conference “Energy Challenges towards Transition and Sustainability”.

At the initiative of H.E Elisabeth Barsacq, Ambassador of France in Albania and Professor Andrea Maliqari, Rector of the Polytechnic University, Ms. Marinela Jazoj represented FIAA in a discussion together with the  French Chamber of Commerce in Albania on the collaboration opportunities,  which would help to connect Business with Academia. The main focus of discussion was the potential of business to support and develop the Newly graduated Students from Polytechnic University of Tirana by offering them internship opportunities.

The newly established Human Capital Committee under FIAA, chaired by Mrs. Odeta Melo and the FIAA Executive Director Mrs. Marinela Jazoj organized a discussion meeting with the Minister of State for Children and Youth Ms. Bora Muzhaqi, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Mrs. Albana Tole and Director for Higher Education Policies and Scientific Research Mrs. Ermelinda Durmishi. This meeting was a follow up of the Human Capital Committee’s Agenda having as key focus the establishment of a joint Working Group with the Government Representatives and altogether identify gaps and set priorities, which would support the Human Capital Development and Retention in Albania.

The Investment Council (IC) hold a plenary meeting to discuss the SMEs’ challenges to transition to alternative energy sources chaired by the Minister of Finance and Economy, Mrs. Delina Ibrahimaj, with the special participation of the EBRD’s Managing Director for Policy Strategy and Delivery, Mr Christoph Denk. In this Meeting, FIAA was represented by Dr Constantin von Alvensleben, FIAA/Voltalia, which currently is the biggest Solar project with construction of the Karavasta solar plant with 140 MW.

The Foreign Investors Association of Albania (FIAA) hold its yearly traditional event, a celebration which gathered the Foreign Business Community in Albania, the highest Diplomatic representatives along with key institutions in the country. The Event was greeted by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Finance and Economy Mr. Eduard Shalsi, the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy, Mr. Besart Kadia, and H.E Mrs. Christiane Hohmann, Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Albania, who addressed their wishes and shared their messages and actions towards the Business and Economic Climate’ improvement in the Country.

On January 19^th, the Deputy Chairwoman of FIAA, Mrs. Rigela Gegprifti and Director, Mrs. Marinela Jazoj met with Mrs. Milva Ekonomi, Minister of State for Standards and Services to discuss and exchange ideas on the main concerns of the foreign Investors in the country as well as consult new ways and approaches to improve the business climate in Albania.

In the frame of the cooperation that FIAA keeps with Diplomatic Bodies in Albania, Chairman Mr. Alessandro D’Oria and Executive Director Ms. Marinela Jazoj had a meeting with H.E Mrs. Konstantina KAMITSI, Ambassador of Greece in Albania and the commercial representatives of the Greek Embassy in Tirana.

Discussion of this meeting was mainly focused on the current business environment’s main concerns as well as most emerging challenges business is facing currently. During the meeting it was also discussed the long cooperation between FIAA and the Greek Business Community in Albania.