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A delegation of FIAA representatives from the Mining Industry has meet with the Deputy Minister for Energy and Industry Mr. Aliko to discuss on the current situation of the mining industry. The talks were mainly focused on the recent changes presented in the New Fiscal Package for the increase of Excise Tax in bituminous coal and related articles which do fiercely affect the ongoing activity of the companies operating in this sector. Other concerns discussed with the Deputy Minister were related with the necessity to incentive Exploration activity in Albania and create new reserves of minerals. The sector representatives stressed out the need that the mining industry has for reviewing the existing legal framework and work towards a sustainable strategy which would make this industry attractive to the eyes of new investors.

Recently, the foreign business community was presented with the second package of Drafts for the Fiscal Package 2019. Being part of the Fiscal Council in the Ministry of Finances, FIAA distributed the proposed articles to its members ‘Community for opinion and feedback. Among the proposed articles which were subject to changes were related with: “Tax Procedures”;“Income Law”; “Excise Law”; “Withholding Tax”, and other articles. FIAA has officially addressed its position to the Ministry of Finances reflecting all the recommendations and opinion of its members. Most of the proposed articles were also addressed during the presentation of the Fiscal Package in the National Economic Council Meeting.

The Investment Council (IC) hold its regular meeting this time focused on “Formalization and Competitiveness in Tourism.” Chairing this Council, Minister Ahmetaj said that “Although the tourism sector has a substantial growth, its formalization remains a challenge for the country. During the last tourism season, many tax control structures were engaged, although in the focus were not penalties, but taxpayers’ education and, of course, further formalization. ”

EIRA is a distinct publication which aims at assessing specific policy, regulatory and legal risks concerning foreign and domestic investment in the energy sector of different countries.  Considering FIAA’s active role in the energy sector of the country, the Secretariat trusted FIAA to be a peer reviewer to the EIRA project, and bring attention to the challenges faced by the business and investor communities and maybe contribute to reducing the investment risk in the energy sector in the country.

President of FIAA, Mr. Tom K. Larsen and Deputy President, Mr. Turker Sengonul developed an introductory meeting with the President and CEO of Bankers Petroleum Albania, Mr. Xingyun Sun.

Bankers Petroleum is now part of the successful Chinese Oil Company  GEO -Jade, which has moved all out its HQ functions from Calgary to Fier with special focus on the only business in Albania. Mr. Sun has recently moved to Albania to lead operations of Bankers in the country which is among the most important foreign investments in Albania and one of the most outstanding members of FIAA. Mr. Sun sad that the company is expanding its investment and oil production in Patos Marinza oil field and plan to continue to heavily increase their investment next year in the oilfield. Meanwhile, he mentioned that for their business is very crucial having a stable and favorable environment in the Country. Mr. Sun stated that he will willingly commit to the FIAA’s mission along with bringing  more Chinese investors in Albania.

FIAA Executives welcomed his intentions and look forward to strengthen this cooperation.

FIAA Board has been recently working on the preparation of an Actions Strategy focusing on the main objectives FIAA will carry during 2018 and further. The Board  agreed working towards the following objectives:

1. Enhance the credibility of FIAA at the Government
2. Be the first point of contact for potential foreign investors
3. Augment the quality of the support to all
4. Increase number and contributions of members
5. Deliver progress at least in one of the “Working Groups” and in areas of specific interest to its members

In June 29th, FIAA Representatives in the Multi-Stakeholders Group at the Albanian EITI Secretariat were present in the Workshop for the presentation of a Transparency Assessment prepared by Deloitte Audit Albania in accordance with the EITI Standards requirements for the Albanian Oil Sector.

This Assessment was carried out due to the initiative of the International Secretariat in Oslo which invited Albania to be part of a Pilot Project for Commodity Trading.

On June 2018 the Ministry of Economy and Finance had started a presentation and consultation process of the New Fiscal Package 2019 part of which will be applicable from this year. In this ambit, FIAA was asked for a discussion round table with the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Economy and Finance Mrs. Albana Shkurta. FIAA representatives present in the discussion among others, proposed legal amendments respectively for the Draft Laws on Income Tax, VAT on Agri-tourism and Local Taxes. FIAA proposals were officially sent to the Ministry and will be active during the second part of the year for the consultation of other laws and relevant amendments which should be in focus of the coming Fiscal Package.

Tirana, June 2018. Investment Council (IC) held a special meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and Economy, Mr. Arben Ahmetaj, and with the participation of EBRD Vice President, Mr Alain Pilloux. In this meeting FIAA was represented by the Deputy Chair Mr. Turker Sengonul. The agenda focus was the ‘Legal Framework on Investments in Albania’ aiming to discuss on how to motivate and easily apply the current legal framework on investments, and to facilitate the process of drafting a simplified legal framework which can retain and attract new investments. This subject comes also in the context of the integration processes of the country to the EU and at a regional level, with the Regional Economic Agenda (REA). A REA component is also the Regional Investment Reform Agenda (RIRA), which inter alia aims also an alignment of the legal and regulatory framework in the country with the best international practices.

For more information please visit: https://www.investment.com.al/investment-council-for-a-simplified-legal-framework-on-investments/