News

FIAA’s Chairman and Executive Director meet the new Chairman of Shell Industries in Albania

Chairman and Executive Director of FIAA have welcomed to a business network Mr. Ante Frens, successor of Mr. Rohan D’Souza, Chairman of the Shell Industries in Albania and FIAA Board Member. Shell Companies in Albania have joined FIAA from the very beginning and represent good business practices and ethics in our country. Shell Companies have served continuously in the FIAA Board and supported with their experience and know-how.  The new Chairman was introduced with other FIAA members and was briefed on the mission and work of FIAA in Albania.

In the ambit of FIAA industrial talks, the Board Members have meet to share concerns and perspectives on the current doing business in the country. Representing different industries in the country, the Board have shared their experiences and perceptions coming from banking, consultancy, real estate development, oil industry, infrastructure and telecommunication.

In view of the fact that Albania is now preparing for the Electoral Run of the political Parties, the Board of FIAA considers as very important the communication with the members, the Government, Opposition and other Players in the political Arena, stressing stronger than ever, improvement of the Business climate in the country.

FIAA considers as highly important to further develop communication and discuss among each other on the issues members from respective industries are facing. In this ambit, member businesses of the energy sector, have meet with FIAA’s Chairman, Dr. Constantin Von Alvensleben sharing their concerns and perspectives on the current doing business in the country.

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The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is conducting an assessment on business restructuring tools in all 38 economies where the EBRD is active. The assessment aims to provide detailed guidance on legislative gaps to address an expected increase in businesses needing to use formal restructuring procedures following the coronavirus pandemic. It also aims to provide an overview of the options within pre-insolvency and insolvency frameworks across these economies.

For more information read here: https://www.investment.com.al/ebrd-launches-assessment-tool-to-help-mitigate-coronavirus-impact/

Marlotex shpk is a manufacturing company operating in Berat with more than 15 years in Albania, led by Mr. Gasmen Toska and Mrs. Teuta Qose. Under the circumstances created by Covid-19 Pandemic, this company from the beginning of the lockdown has been adapted to the new reality by shifting its production to Masks and Gloves. Due to lack of local production for basic products such as textile masks, there was a high  demand also from outside Albania, which made Marlotex shift their  production to handle the high demand to providing these products, channelizing production to 8 companies in Albania and giving work to about 200 employees who have worked in mask ‘production units.

Official announcement by Vodafone Albania

Vodafone notes the press speculations that are circulating in the Albanian market regarding a potential exit of the company from the market.

Vodafone strongly denies these speculations.

Marlotex shpk is a manufacturing company operating in Berat with more than 15 years in Albania, led by Mr. Gasmen Toska and Mrs. Teuta Qose. Under the new circumstances created by Covid-19 Pandemic, this company from the beginning of the lockdown has been adapted to the new reality by shifting its production to Masks and Gloves. Due to lack of local production for basic products such as textile masks, there was a high  demand also from outside Albania, which made Marlotex shift their  production to handle the high demand to providing these products, channelizing production to 8 companies in Albania and giving work to about 200 employees who have worked in mask ‘production units.

Current approach of Business under Covid-19, short and long-term perspective

Dr. Constantin von ALVENSLEBEN

President of FIAA/ CEO OF Tirana International Airport (TIA)

Starting around 12^th of March, GoA stopped the regular passenger flight activity. First all flights from and to Italy were banned, then consecutively all other passenger flights except for the connection between Tirana and Istanbul. End of March, this service also stopped. Since then, TIA continues to service several cargo flights per day as well as humanitarian and repatriation flights. There are one or two repatriation flights daily, connecting TIA with European capitals. The provider is mostly Air Albania but sometimes also Albawings. A flight from an Albanian national to the EU requires confirmation from the respective Embassy of the destination country, and the destination country may require the passenger to undergo quarantine after arriving in the destination country.

2020 marks a special year for FIAA. 20 years ago, FIAA was established by the main Foreign Investors in Albania, thus turning into a reality their aspiration for the creation of such an organization in the country. The subsequent launch of FIAA was highly appreciated and welcomed by the Authorities, Business Community, as well as International Bodies present in Albania. Today, FIAA represents the most prominent foreign businesses operating in Albania originating from different geographies and active in various sectors of the economy.

There is no doubt that FIAA’s successes to become a highly reputable organization in Albania, has come a long way and is clear result of the commitment, efforts and trust of each and every member of the organization. Today, I am glad to see that we have built important and sustainable bridges of cooperation with important international organizations such as EBRD, IFC/WB, EU, IMF, UNDP as well as many diplomatic bodies.

Despite living in pandemic times and experiencing various difficulties, the private producers of hydro-energy with priority are faced with sudden developments in the Energy Regulation in Albania. Unfortunately, the small hydro power investors are not finding peace and long-term sustainability. Despite all the negotiations, consultations and the work done with the institutions in the last 5 years, there are other changes which are putting their investments in a pessimistic scenario.