News

This was the first-ever summit between EU and Western Balkans leaders to take place in the Western Balkans region and was an opportunity to reconfirm the key importance of strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans, a region with a clear EU perspective.

In the ambit of the various consultations with the Ministry of Finance, FIAA’s representatives of the Tax Committee, headed by the Chair Mrs. Alba Paparisto and FIAA’s Executive Director Mrs. Marinela Jazoj held a discussion meeting with the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy, Mrs. Vasilika Vjero and other experts in the Ministry.

FIAA’s Members represented by HR’s Departments gathered in a Brainstorming Meeting to discuss on the Labor Force Skills and Availability in Albania. This issue nowadays is very concerning and challenging, even bigger for the private sector that is facing both the lack of skilled people and the leave of the available labor force/youngsters to other countries.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has welcomed the launch of a Sector Skills Council in Albania which will focus on the tourism industry.

The Council, consisting of industry and government representatives, was formally announced today at an event organized by the National Agency of Vocational Education, Training and Qualifications of Albania, and the EBRD, and attended by representatives of the EBRD, EU, the government and the private sector.

Foreign Investors Association of Albania – FIAA’s Tax Committee members hold a meeting on November 7th, focusing also on the restructuring of the Committee and Leadership for the next two years. During the past five years, this Committee was chaired by Mrs. Anisa Jasini, Director/Tax Services at Ernst & Young Albania, who has been representing the FIAA’s Committee to the third parties, as well as engaging with her expertise in the important documents such as White Books, Manifests and Fiscal Packages consultation.

Chaired by the Minister of Finance and Economy, Ms Delina Ibrahimaj, the Investment Council (IC) held a plenary meeting to discuss the private sector’s concerns about the availability and quality of the workforce in the country. The meeting was attended by the majority of IC members and around 40 observers representing the public and private sector and development agencies.

FIAA’s Representative intervention during the IC Meeting

 “Skills is a global topic, complex that cannot be solved easily. While, also a specific topic that we discuss everyday with producers’ company as our clients, including also within the banking sector. We have done internally a survey on the topic, where youngsters up to 30 years old, are part of the sample.  There are two findings on youngsters’ expectation – learning opportunities and salary. Obviously cost of salary is related to companies’ competitivity”.

For more information read here: https://www.investment.com.al/investment-council-on-the-labour-skills-availability-and-quality/

FIAA’s Board of Directors paid a courtesy visit to the New President of Albania, His Excellency Mr. Bajram Begaj. The President of the Republic of Albania was very delighted to receive the Board of FIAA and to share his views on the business climate and highlight the role and importance of the foreign business in the country. He pointed out the role of a favorable investment and social climate in this particular time with challenges and crises Albania is going through.

The ongoing war in Ukraine and consequent sharp increase in energy prices and slowdown in the global economy are likely to constrain Albania’s growth path. Following robust GDP growth in 2021, the country’s growth is likely to decelerate to 3.2 percent in 2022, says the latest Western Balkans Regular Economic Report .

FIAA’s Executive Director Ms. Marinela Jazoj met with Mr. Franco Scaramuzzi, Market Analyst in the Economic and Commercial Office of Spanish Embassy in Rome Italy.

The Board of FIAA had the pleasure to meet with the new Head of the EU Delegation to Albania H.E Mrs. Christiane Hohmann. The President of FIAA Mr. Alessandro D’Oria welcomed Ambassador Hohmann and congratulated her on the mission at a critical moment with great challenges that Albania is undergoing.

During the meeting, the Board representatives talked from their industry’s perspectives as well as shared their views on the Albanian business challenges.