E-Newsletter, Q1-2017

April 2017

Dear Reader!

We are pleased to share with you the first edition of 2017 FIAA  e-Newsletter. 

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

FIAA holds the General Assembly Meeting

In March 28th, FIAA hold the General Assembly Meeting of the Members and conducted election process for four new Board Members including the Appointment of the Chairman of FIAA for the next two years. In his opening speech the President of FIAA, Mr. Silvio Pedrazzi highlighted some of the main achievements and challenges he had during his Chairmanship and emphasized ...Read more

FIAA Board meets USA Ambassador

In late March 2017, the Executive Team of FIAA met with the Ambassador of USA in Tirana, Mr. Donald Lu. This meeting was in the course of other meetings FIAA is having with High Governmental, Internationals and Diplomats in Albania, mainly focused on the recent developments in the business environment of the country and exchange of views for related support. During the Meeting with Ambassador Lu, The Chairman of FIAA highlighted the...Read more

FIAA presents the Findings of the Business Environment Survey 2016

In February 15th, FIAA presented the findings of the 2016 Business Environment Survey and Perceptions of Business for 2017. Foreign Investors, International Institutions, High Diplomats and other Stakeholders in Albania were invited to learn on the findings and to hear the different perspectives shared by the FIAA Executives, by the Ambassador of EU Delegation in Albania and ... Read more

FIAA participates in CCW FAIR in Berlin

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is emerging as a new industry in Albania with a good potential on attracting big corporates around the world, seeking for countries with low cost of labour. This sector is recently under the attention of the Albanian Government too, aiming to turn it as a sector with high potential in particular for the youth employment. In February 20th-23rd, 2017, FIAA ... Read more

FIAA Executives meet the European Journalists

European Commission's DG NEAR is a project implemented by Particp GmBh aiming to inform the public in EU member states about the progress that countries who are candidates and potential candidates for EU membership are making in fundamental areas, such as fight against corruption and organized crime, economic development etc. FIAA Executive Director participated in a Business lunch ... Read more

Roundtable on the economic perspectives, opportunities and challenges for FDIs in 2017

The University of New York Tirana (UNYT) in partnership with the Foreign Investors Association in Albania (FIAA) gathered this January in a roundtable with main CEO’s and representatives of businesses in Albania and Economic Diplomatic Officials to discuss on the Country's economic perspectives, opportunities and challenges for FDIs in 2017....Read more

Sharing lessons learned and disseminating Best Practice – Conference about the role and impact of EBRD-Supported Investment Councils”

Secretariat of Albania Investment Council attended the Conference of EBRD-supported Investment Councils in London on 2nd– 3rd of March 2017. The objective of this conference was to present Key Achievements of 2016 of these Investment Councils and the challenges for 2017, and also to discuss ways to strengthen the investment climate through effective public – private dialogue. EBRD has created first Investment Councils in 2007 in countries of early transition such as Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan and later in countries such as Moldavia, Albania and Georgia.

For more information please visit: https://www.investment.com.al/

The President of the Republic, H.E.Mr. Bujar NISHANI awards the Grand Master title to Mr. Jean-Alain JOUAN

On March 21st, 2017, with the decree no.10091, The President of the Republic, H.E.Mr. Bujar NISHANI, awarded the Grand Master title to Mr. Jean-Alain JOUAN, with the motivation: "For valuable contribution to the successful implementation with the world advanced standards of one of the country's major processes, which has facilitated the free movement of Albanian citizens, equipment with biometric identity documents through the establishment of national network of registration offices and distribution and establishment of a National Personalization Center".

For more information please visit: http://president.al/

ALBtelecom is honored with the award Innovative Entrepreneurship of the Year

ALBtelecom was honored with Bleta e Artë 2016 award in the category Innovative Entrepreneurship of the year , for the innovative solutions offered through business platform Smart Business . The Gala event Golden Bee 2016 was organized by the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Entrepreneurship, under the auspices of the Prime Minister H.E. Edi Rama. ALBtelecom was one of the 5 companies nominated for the award category: Innovative Entrepreneurship of the year and also the company that won the prize, presenting the innovative business platform Smart Business , accompanied by a descriptive video.

For more information please visit: http://www.albtelecom.al/

Raiffeisen Bank sponsor of the Singapore - Albania Trade and Investment Forum 2017

Raiffeisen Bank has successfully supported the Trade and Investment Forum organized in Singapore on January 18, 2017. Raiffeisen Bank has now established a valuable tradition of supporting the Albanian Trade & Investment Forum. Starting in 2005 this forum aimed at increasing awareness of Albania’s attractiveness in the foreign markets, as an appealing country to invest. This forum has been successful in countries representing potential investment markets, such as UK, USA, Hong Kong and now Singapore, acting as a bridge between international businesses and Albanian government.

For more information please visit: http://www.raiffeisen.al/

BKT hosted Albania Roundtable in the Euromoney Central & Eastern European Forum​

On 17-18 January 2017, Euromoney Conferences, in its 22nd installment of its Central and Eastern Europe Forum, was attended by over 1,000 policymakers, corporate leaders, financiers and investors. The Forum was an excellent opportunity for the investors and policy makers, from both inside and outside the region, to gather and share insights. ​Banka Kombëtare Tregtare, sponsored and organized for the second consecutive year, the Albania Roundtable Albania’s Progression Towards Becoming the Fastest Growing Economy in the Balkans for 2017.

For more information please visit: http://www.bkt.com.al/322.aspx

 INTERVIEWS   

Interview with Mr. Dietmar REINER - VERBUND’s Country Representative and CEO of Energji Ashta

An independent, functioning and reliable justice system is a basic element required for all!

FIAA establishes Tax and Financial Committee

Early this Year, the Board of FIAA at the proposal of Ernst & Young Albania established the new Committee on "Tax & Financial", which activity will support FIAA members for a healthy business and tax environment in the country as well as to provide high-quality information on the current and future developments in the tax system in order to enhance stability and predictability of the business activity in Albania. ...Read more

EBRD’s Board Directors meet authorities, businesses and civil society organizations in Albania

By end of March, the EBRD Board of Directors visited Albania and met government representatives, entrepreneurs and civil society organizations.The purpose of the visit was to bring the Directors, up to date with the progress of transition, as well as to allow them to witness the impact of the Bank's activities on this process and to become better acquainted with the domestic, foreign business and diplomatic communities ...Read more

Great News for the Tourism Industry

The Albanian Government approved the draft law proposed by the Ministry of Finance to reduce VAT on accommodation facilities in tourism industry from 20% to 6%. This draft law is in line with the government policy, aiming to promote tourism sector, increase competition and economic development. 

For more information please visit:  http://www.financa.gov.al/

FIAA participates in the World Bank Group Executive Directors' Meeting

In late March, a group of Executive Directors, members of the Board of the World Bank Group, visited Albania with the purpose to assess the Bank Group’s engagement in the energy sector and efforts to support regional connectivity. Increasing regional cooperation and plans to improve connectivity within...Read more

Fibank as the main sponsor of the competition "My Money"

Fibank was the main sponsor of the competition "My Money" organized from Bank of Albania, Ministry of Education and Sports and the Albanian Association of Banks in respect of "The Global Money Week" which is held in over 140 countries around the world. Fibank would like to expressing appreciation to the organizers of this event as the Bank of Albania, the Albanian Association of Banks and the Ministry of Education and Sports, above all special thanks go to all the children who participated through their design and creativity in this drawing competition "My Money", we would like to express our gratitude for all the positive emotions that came as a result of the children's wonderful drawings. Fibank would like to wish lots of success to all the children in realizing their dreams!

For more information please visit: http://www.fibank.al/

Tonucci & Partners 20th edition of Business Guide in Albania ​

In March 2017 Tonucci & Partners celebrated its 20th anniversary of the Business Guide Publication in Albania.

For more information please visit: http://www.tonucci.com/

New FIAA members

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

 Please contact us for further information!