E-Newsletter 2021, Issue I

March 2021

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 in the country. 

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

Official Request to Minister of Finance for the extension of the deadline for declaring the Registering of the Beneficiary Owners

FIAA jointly with other Chambers and Business Organizations in Albania have discussed and prepared an official request to the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Denaj, asking for an extension of the deadline for declaring the data of the beneficiary owners from 31^st of March 2021 to 30^th of June, 2021....Read more

FIAA meeting with IMF experts

In the framework of FIAA cooperation with the IMF on monitoring and supporting Albanian business climate, in early March it was organized a meeting with IMF experts from Washington. In this meeting FIAA was represented by its Chairman, Dr. Constantin von Alvensleben, the Country Director of Deloitte Albania Mr. Maksim Caslli and the Executive Director of FIAA Ms. Marinela Jazoj...Read more

Manufacturing Industry Meeting

In the ambit of targeted industrial talks with members, FIAA held an interesting meeting with representatives from the manufacturing industry that remains a key evolving industry in the country, as this industry is boosting exports and fostering economic growth. The meeting held on February 11^th was very fruitful as it brought more insights from the perspective of this industry...Read more

FIAA Manifest to main Political Parties in Albania

FIAA strongly believes that the improvement of the Business Climate in Albania remains fundamental. As Albania has entered in the electoral period and the political Parties have prepared their economic programs, FIAA strongly believe that these Parties must give focus to the business climate signals and alerts....Read more

Board Members of FIAA in their first meeting for 2021 

FIAA Board of Directors held its first meeting in early January where among others was bid “Farewell” to two Board Members who further continue their careers with other challenges, respectively Mr. Rohan D’Souza the Chairman of Shell Albania who was promoted to another country, and Mr. Perparim Kalo who recently was elected as a Judge in the Constitutional Court ....Read more

FIAA participates in the discussions on Fiscalization 

As of January 1^st, 2021, the Albanian Government started the implementation of the Fiscalization. Fiscalization in practice, appears to be a concerning issue for businesses in overall, with many gaps for clarifications and need for support in this transition process...Read more

Tirana Economic Forum III Edition 

Tirana Economic Forum III, where FIAA for the third consecutive year is a Local Partner, is a business event that took place on March 12th, 2021, organized in the Digital platform due to the pandemic. Τhe Tirana Economic Forum over the past years has developed into a high-level meeting of the most influential Albanian and international political, corporate, and intellectual leaders, addressing pressing challenges currently facing Albania and the Region....Read more

Public Consultation “Open Government Partnership Action Plan for Albania 2020-2022”

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) aims to improve governance through government–civil society collaboration to develop reforms that promote transparency, public accountability and civic participation. From July 2020 until now, the Albanian government has worked with public institutions and members of civil society organizations (CSOs)....Read more

FIAA contribute to the meeting with European Commission officials on Albania's Economic Reform Program 2021-2023

The European Commission team chaired by Mr Javier Menendez Bonilla from DG NEAR, and Andrew Williams and Christina Vanghele from DG NEAR, Sarah Jurreit from DG ECFIN and Kamil Valica from DG Employment together with business representatives and stakeholders in Albania discussed during a virtual meeting..Read more

European Centre of Peace Science, Integration and Cooperation (CESPIC)

CESPIC is delighted to announce the release of the report ALBANIA IN THE EYES OF THE WORLD 2020. 'Albania in the Eyes of the World' is an annual report that collects and analyses different socio-economic metrics drawn from specialized reports and studies...Read more

A new era for ALBtelecom, Bilgen Aldan first woman as new Chief Executive Officer

ALBtelecom has appointed Ms. Bilgen Aldan, a prominent Turkish businesswoman, as Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Aldan appointment signals company's commitment for further expansion, consolidation and modernization in the telecom industry.

For more information please visit: www.albtelecom.al

BKT - The Bank of the Year in Albania for 2020

Banka Kombëtare Tregtare (BKT) was selected as "The Bank of the Year in Albania for 2020” by the prestigious financial magazines "The Banker. The Banker is part of the Financial Times and has been providing global financial intelligence since 1926.

For more information please visit: www.bkt.com.al

MARIO TONUCCI’S Journalistic Column at Albania Economia

Mario Tonucci, Founder of Tonucci & Partners and a great connoisseur of the Eagles’ Country, opens his space on Albania Economia with the periodic editorial release entitled “Mario Tonucci’s journalistic column” which will deal with his point of view, while deeply analyzing many aspects which make Albania a country of great investment opportunities, most and foremost with regard to Fintoken Act, a cutting edge regulation that places Albania to the center of international interest.

For more information please visit: www.tonucci.com

European award for ENSO GmbH: "Best Hydro-Power Investment Partner Europe 2020"

Capital Finance International (CFI) annually honors companies and organizations that play a pioneering role in their respective economic environment. Enso GmbH present in the Albanian renewables market too, was awarded by CFI for "Best Hydro Power Investment Partners Europe 2020" for its services as an international asset manager in the field of hydropower. 

For more information please visit: www.enso.at

Colliers Albania publishes "Market Overview Albania 2020"

Colliers Albania is delighted to announce the publishing of the market research report  on office rents and retail in Tirana entitled  "Market Overview Albania 2020".

For more information on this report please read here

Teleperformance Albania

Teleperformance Albania has been for the first time certified as a Great Place to Work®. This certification is recognition of their journey, which aims to make and keep people the core of their company. They are proud to be the first company to get certified as a Great Place to Work in Albania. They received outstanding scores of over 90% across all measurement categories with an exceptional 95% score in credibility. 

For more information please read here

Interview with Mr. Mario SCARFALLOTO, Plant Manager of SEWS-CABIND Albania Sh.p.k

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Interview with Mr. Xavier MULLIEZ, CEO of Voltalia in Albania

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FIAA’s President and Executive Director meet with Diplomats in Albania

In the framework of the communications that FIAA keeps with Diplomatic Bodies in Albania, early this year FIAA’s President Dr. Alvensleben and Executive Director Ms. Jazoj have meet with two Diplomats in Albania, respectively H.E Mr. Mitsuyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Albania and H.E Mr. Gendler, Ambassador of Israel in Albania....Read more

FIAA lobbying for the Instruction in the Tax Procedures

During December ’20, the Ministry of Finance issued an Instruction in the Tax Procedures, where Account-blocking orders were foreseen to be issued for debtor businesses and for shareholders and administrators. In this ambit, Meeting discussions have been hold among the Board Members and the Tax & Law Committees of FIAA....Read more

FIAA participate in the consultation meeting with Ministry of Finance on the Strategy for Business and Investment Development

Ministry of Finance and Economy (MFE) is implementing last year of the Action Plan for 2014-2020 of the Business Development and Investment Strategy. MFE with the support of GIZ ProSeed project, in February 2020 started the work for drafting the new Business Development and Investment Strategy.....Read more

EBRD teams up with Raiffeisen to mobilise lending in Albania  

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), and Raiffeisen Bank Albania (RBAL) are joining forces to unlock lending to Albanian businesses as the country faces the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Under the innovative new Guarantee for Growth mechanism, the EBRD is providing RBAL with an unfunded guarantee for up to €100 million in local currency equivalent linked to the bank’s local currency sovereign bond portfolio.

For more information please visit: www.raiffeisen.al

Global Executive Search firm Pedersen & Partners celebrates its 20th anniversary

Pedersen & Partners, a leading international Executive Search firm with 54 wholly owned offices in 50 countries including Albania, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021. The firm was founded in Prague and Warsaw in January 2001, and has achieved unprecedented growth by providing world-class Executive Search services to its clients.

For more information please visit: www.pedersenandpartners.com

Abkons & Uniper

Abkons and their partner Uniper have been selected to conduct a Preliminary Assessment on the construction and operation of a gas-powered Thermal Power Plant in Albania. This study, which will comply with the highest European standards, will provide their client with an analysis of project location alternatives, cost and benefits of a possible gas supply, conceptual design and business plan.

For more information please read here

Membership to FIAA is open to

all Foreign Investors, Representative companies and International Organizations working in Albania.

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