News

The Association of Foreign Investors in Albania (FIAA) presented the third edition of the White Book 2021-2025, a document for the improvement of the business climate in Albania. The presentation of the Book marked the 21st anniversary of the Association. The event was attended by Government, Diplomats, International Organizations as well as representatives of the foreign business community in the country. Published every 4 years, since 2013, the White Book is an appeal of foreign investors on the business climate in Albania and a transparent platform for dialogue with the authorities. Its purpose is to facilitate business in Albania by removing unnecessary barriers and to give concrete proposals for appropriate reforms in the country.

FIAA’s President Dr. Constantin von Alvensleben and Deputy President Mrs. Rigela Gegprifti had a meeting with the New Head of EBRD in Albania Mrs. Ekaterina Solovova and Mrs. Endrita Xhaferraj, Principal Counsellor of Governance and Political Affairs.

Mr. Alvensleben presented the long cooperation FIAA and EBRD have had in Albania, the respective roles and contribution at the best of country’s business environment, in particular the long cooperation with the Investment Council Platform.

FIAA’s Executive Director Ms. Marinela Jazoj met with the Newly appointed Minister of State for the Protection of Entrepreneurship Mrs. Edona Bilali. Together with the former Minister, Mr. Eduard Shalsi, the New Minister, had a friendly welcome and open discussion with the representatives of key Business Associations and Chambers in Albania.

FIAA is part of the Multi Stakeholder Group at EITI Secretariat Albania

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative – EITI, is an international initiative with main object to develop and implement a mechanism for declaring revenues earned from the use of Natural Resources through Extractive Industries, publishing of these data in an understandable format by everyone and their oversight by providing to the general public information on public revenue and expenditure, thus, contributing to a public debate and the establishment of mechanisms for the good governance of these revenues to the benefit of communities. The EITI process can be further tailored and adapted according to the current context of each implementing country, in order to meet the information needs of stakeholders, as well as the needs to tackle the sector with important reforms, based on this data.

FIAA’s Executive Director, Marinela Jazoj met with the Head of UK Trade Policy for the Western Balkans Mr. Gareth Evans. The UK Trade Policy office based in Belgrade covers the Western Balkan six countries, including Albania and their role stands to support UK companies looking to trade, invest and find opportunities across the Western Balkans.

In this meeting Mr. Evans was presented with the role and Work of FIAA on the Business Environment in Albania and exchanged the views, insights and potential for more foreign investors coming to Albania.

The EITI Standard requires that the government, extractive companies and civil society are fully, actively and effectively engaged in EITI implementation. The Secretariat is seeking views from relevant Stakeholders! Please read the Link and give your views!

https://www.albeiti.org/site/en/albanias-2021-eiti-validation-call-for-views-on-stakeholder-engagement/

FIAA’s Executive Director Ms. Marinela Jazoj and Statkraft Representatives have conducted a series of meetings with Mrs. Gunn Vick, Director of Hydro Power at NORWEP (Norwegian Energy Partners) exploring potential cooperation and opportunities in the region. Both Institutions share common values and interests which would help both to create synergies for respective memberships and potential partnerships among businesses in Norway and Albania. FIAA and NORWEP will soon work towards a potential Conference with Companies and institutions from both countries where will be shared experiences and know-how on the Renewable energies as well as grounds for new potential investments.

At the occasion of the appointment of the New Minister of Finance and Economy, FIAA’s Board Representatives, President Mr. Alvensleben, Deputy President Mrs. Gegprifiti and Executive Director Ms. Jazoj were received for a courtesy Meeting by the New Minister, Mrs. Delina Ibrahimaj.

The meeting was mainly focused on the business climate in Albania, Reforms in process and the endorsement and support to the publication of White Book 2021-2025, a document providing recommendations from the business community on various obstacles business has with current legislation, fiscal issues, etc.

FIAA’s President Mr. Alvensleben and Executive Director Mrs. Marinela Jazoj met with Mr. Luigi Soreca, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Albania.

Ambassador Soreca and Chairman Alvensleben highlighted the long cooperation among the two institutions, the respective roles and contribution at the best of country’s business environment and reinforced the will to continue even a stronger cooperation in the near future. Among the discussions, was also the endorsement and support to the publication of White Book 2021-2025, which was highly welcomed by Ambassador Soreca, strongly endorsing the role and Work of FIAA on the Business Environment in Albania.

In frame of the FIAA’s commitment to improving the business climate in Albania, the Tax and Legal Committee ‘Experts under FIAA, have prepared the first Draft of the White Book Albania 2021-2025. The draft is now under broader consultations with more businesses, members of FIAA and it is treating a significant part of the legal and tax framework in the country by addressing the most concerning issues in the doing business environment, along with proposed solutions and recommendations for each area of interest.

Chapters of the White Book draft cover mostly the: Tax Law; Business Registration Law; Banking Regulatory Framework; Corporate Law; Concessions Law; Energy Renewables Law; Bankruptcy Law; Fiscal Regime on Hydrocarbons in Albania; Hydrocarbons Law; Employment Law; Law on Invoice and Turnover Monitoring System (Fiscalisation Law); Pension Fund Law in Albania; Residence and Work Permit Law; Carbon Tax/Excise Tax; Trademarks Protection as well as Waste recycling Management.