E-Newsletter 2023, Issue II

May 2023

Dear Reader!

With the trust that you are all doing well, we are glad to share with you our Electronic Newsletter, reflecting different actions taken by FIAA Members, as well as views, insights and approaches towards the business climate during January - April 2023! 

This information is also available on our website: www.fiaalbania.al

FIAA organizes the Conference “Energy Challenges towards Transition and Sustainability”

In March 10^th, FIAA together with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of Albania and the State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination (SASPAC) organized the Conference “Energy Challenges towards Transition and Sustainability”. This Conference was a great success attended by a high and qualitative audience with main Projects and Investors in Albania along with Developers and Financers in Energy...Read more

FIAA revitalizes the Energy Industry Council and elects the New Chairman

The members of the FIAA’s Energy Committee gathered in March 31st to discuss on the common concerns and challenges of the Energy Industry in Albania. During this meeting, it was agreed that the role of the Energy Committee to go to another level, by formally establishing the Energy Industry Council, which will serve as a platform for dialogue and consultation with the Albanian institutional bodies and beyond...Read more

FIAA’s Human Capital Committee organizes a Breakfast Meeting with Government’s representatives

The newly established Human Capital Committee under FIAA, chaired by Mrs. Odeta Melo and the FIAA Executive Director Mrs. Marinela Jazoj organized a discussion meeting with the Minister of State for Children and Youth Ms. Bora Muzhaqi, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Mrs. Albana Tole and Director for Higher Education Policies and Scientific Research Mrs. Ermelinda Durmishi...Read more

FIAA Senior Executives Mrs. Rigela Gegprifti, Deputy President and Ms. Marinela Jazoj met with Mrs. Milva Ekonomi for the business recommendation follow up and review

On January 19^th, the Deputy Chairwoman of FIAA Mrs. Rigela Gegprifti and Director Mrs. Marinela Jazoj met with Mrs. Milva Ekonomi Minister of State for Standards and Services to discuss and exchange ideas on the main concerns of the foreign Investors in the country as well as consult new ways and approaches to improve the business climate in Albania...Read more

Business Environment Insights

Investment Council puts forward Recommendations for Facilitating the SMEs’ Transitioning to Alternative Energy Sources

The Investment Council (IC) hold a plenary meeting to discuss the SMEs’ challenges to transition to alternative energy sources chaired by the Minister of Finance and Economy, Mrs. Delina Ibrahimaj, with the special participation of the EBRD’s Managing Director for Policy Strategy and Delivery, Mr Christoph Denk. In this Meeting, FIAA was represented by Dr. Constantin von Alvensleben, FIAA/Voltalia, which currently is the biggest Solar project with construction of the Karavasta solar plant with 140 MW.....Read more

World Bank’s New Country Partnership Framework Supports Greener and More Resilient and Inclusive Growth in Albania 

The World Bank Group’s (WBG) Board of Executive Directors endorsed in DC, March 16th, a new five-year Country Partnership Framework for Albania for the period 2023-2027 as well as four new operations. The strategy aims to help the country recover quickly and transform into a more robust, equitable, resilient, and greener economy, as well as healthier and more productive lives for the Albanian people....Read more

Banka Kombëtare Tregtare-BKT was awarded ‘’The best bank in Albania for year 2023’’

Global Finance has announced its 30th annual awards for the Best Banks in Central and Eastern Europe for year 2023. During the ceremony Banka Kombëtare Tregtare was awarded from Global Finance as ‘’The best bank in Albania for year 2023’’.           

For more information please read here

Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania launches ”Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania Awards” dedicated to Albanian Business Excellence     

Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, part of Intesa Sanpaolo Group on its 15th year of successful operation in Albania is launching Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania Awards dedicated to Albanian Businesses, an initiative for the enhancement of small and medium-sized enterprises which represent an example of entrepreneurial excellence capable of reacting successfully to the delicate and constant changes of business context.

For more information please read here

Boga & Associates published recently the Investment in Albania 2023 Guide

Boga & Associates has recently published the 15^th edition of “Investment in Albania” guide to the Albanian legal and tax system. The Guide gives an informative view of the key aspects of investing or doing business in Albania covering a wide range of topics, such as aspects of business law, labor law, tax law, and other areas of practice.

For more information please read here

Deloitte Albania

Deloitte's team, under the start of #WorldClass initiative, met with students from the Faculty of Economics (University of Tirana). A meeting to help students to raise awareness about the various career options and navigate through opportunities that exist in the labor market. At Deloitte, they are very much focused on offering students in-depth career counselling, aiming to support them in their future career and study choices. 

For more information please read here

Interview with Mr. Constantin von Alvensleben, Country Manager at Voltalia Albanie and Chairman of FIAA’s Energy Industry Council     

READ NOW

FIAA holds its traditional “Prosperous Business Year 2023” event       

In January 31^st the Foreign Investors Association of Albania (FIAA) hold its yearly traditional event, a celebration which gathered the Foreign Business Community in Albania, the highest Diplomatic representatives along with key institutions in the country...Read more

FIAA’s Executive Director met with Ambassador of France and Rector of the Polytechnic University  

At the initiative of H.E Elisabeth Barsacq, Ambassador of France in Albania and Professor Andrea Maliqari, Rector of the Polytechnic University, Ms. Marinela Jazoj represented FIAA in a discussion together with the French Chamber of Commerce in Albania on the collaboration opportunities, which would help to connect Business with Academia...Read more

Joint press statement following the 12th meeting of the EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Council 

The EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Council (SA Council) held its twelfth meeting on 16 March in Tirana. The meeting was chaired by Mr Josep Borrell Fontelles, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. ....Read more

EBRD leads on financing for landmark solar plant in Albania

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is lending €29 million to an Albanian special-purpose vehicle, owned by France’s Voltalia, to develop the 140 MW Karavasta solar plant in the Fier area of south-western Albania. The EBRD is anchoring the €99 million financing structure required to implement the project and is mobilizing significant and innovative commercial debt participation. The project’s total cost of €135 million is co-financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, Privredna Banka Zagreb and by Voltalia’s own resources.

For more information please read here

Albanian CEO Survey as part of PwC’s 26th Annual Global CEO Survey

Part of PwC’s 26th Annual Global CEO Survey, PwC Albania surveyed the local and international business leaders whose companies operate in Albania. On a global level 4,410 CEOs responded to PwC’s 26th Annual CEO Survey. Unlike last year, there is a pessimistic view for global economic growth, from global CEOs and Albanian CEOs as well.

For more information please read here

Fibank Group - The biggest Bulgarian investor in Albania

The biggest Bulgarian investor in Albania is Fibank Group, a European bank with 30 years of experience that operates in Bulgaria, Macedonia, Cyprus, Albania, and Netherlands being an important financial player. It is the biggest Bulgarian-owned bank and one of the largest banks in Bulgaria with total assets of around 7 billion EUR. Throughout the years its business profile has reached positive developments, continuous growth, high-quality customer service and during 2022 was among the best digital banks in Europe.  

For more information please read here

UPCOMING EVENT

FIAA’s Annual Meeting   

May 16^th, 2023

Membership to FIAA is open to all Foreign Investors, Representative companies and International Organizations working in Albania.

 Please contact us for further information!

IN FOCUS

Recommendations for improvement of the Business Environment in Albania