On April 10th, 2013 at Sheraton Hotel Tirana, at the presence of government representatives/authorities, international organizations, main representatives of political parties in Albania, FIAA presented the latest publication named “White Book Albania 2013”.
At this event were also addressed remarks by FIAA Collaborators, Mr. Ettore SEQUI, Ms. Eneida GURIA and Mr. Fabio SERRI. The White Book is a document which, starting from this year will be prepared annually by the FIAA.
Its publication will highlight and address the main issues that Foreign Businesses are facing in Albania. The content of this first edition treats a significant part of the existing legal framework in the country and addresses the most common issues faced by our members.
Ms. Marinela JAZOJ, Executive Director of FIAA briefly informed on the content and the main issues presented in the document. She expressed that: “We are aware that despite a lot of efforts made during the past 20 years or so, the country needs to further improve its business climate, complete reforms in key areas and strengthen its institutions in general and the judicial system in particular. FIAA, has constantly offered opinions and recommendations to improve Albania’s legislation in a number of vital areas especially through participation in the Albanian Advisory Council of Business, while has communicated quite extensively with all major institutions like the Council of Ministers, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy and Ministry of Finance. However, we believe we make a serious contribution in this process through the publication of this document because we do not only address in specific our concerns, but we also propose respective recommendations for each area of interest.
We remain hopeful that the recommendations provided in this first edition of the FIAA White Book 2013, will have a wide acceptance and positively affect efforts to improve the business environment. We believe that working towards a better business environment encourages the investors to reinvest their earnings in the country and secure conditions that will attract new investors willing to invest in Albania as well as leading to better employment of Albanian citizens and to improve the economic growth of the country.
We are confident that the Government and other political parties will find a proper communication which will give more support for a better business climate in Albania”. Ms. JAZOJ concluded her remarks by expressing gratitude to all those members and other experts who have contributed to the preparation of the first FIAA White Book 2013 and in particular the Sponsors of the publication, FIAA members: Alpha Bank and Vodafone Albania. Mr. Ettore SEQUI, Head of EU Delegation in Albania addressed an encouraging message for the foreign business community and invited them to continue with their transforming role and benefit from recommendations of the FIAA White Book and the EU Progress report in process. “I believe that FIAA plays a key role to ensure the needed improved business climate in Albania”, concluded Mr. SEQUI.
Another panel speaker was Ms. Eneida GURIA, Executive Director of AIDA (Albanian Investment Development Agency) representing the Government of Albania, who expressed willingness to proceed with reforms to support and improve business climate in Albania, some of which are already in process.
Mr. Fabio SERRI, Head of EBRD Albania and collaborator of FIAA also greeted the publication and all issues and recommendations it includes. At the conclusion of this event FIAA’s President, Mr. Patrick PASCAL delivered copies of the White Book Albania 2013 to Mr. SEQUI, Mr. SERRI, Ms. GURIA and to the main political representatives in Albania, the Socialist Party (SP) and Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI).
