Albania Trade and investment opportunities Territorial Workshop Albania Prague, 16 March 2017

Albania – Key Figures Population 2,9 million Work Force 1.085 million Medium Age 32 years Official Language Albanian From PRG Major Airlines (CSA, Alitalia, Lufthansa etc) Surface 28,748 sq. km Coordinates 41 00 V, 20 00 L Time Zone GMT +1 (Same as PRG) Neighboring Countries Greece  212 km, Kosova 112 km, Macedonia  181 km, Montenegro 186 km Major Cities (Population) Tirana (800.000)  Durres (276.191) Korça (365.000) Shkodër (218.523) Vlore (183.100)  Membership NATO Alliance Member; EU aspiring country GDP 11.59  billion $ (2015) GDP per capita 3,840 $ (2015) Total Exports 1.958 billion $ (2015) Total Imports 4.382 billion $ (2015) Direct Foreign Investment 5.073 billion $  (2014) Companies with Foreign Capital  10.580(2015) Inflation 1.9% (2015) Largest Exporting Markets  Italy 45.2%, Kosova  7.6%, China 7.4%, Spain 6.7%, Greece 4.6% (2014) Largest Importing Markets Italy 35.4%, Greece 11%, China 8%, Turkey 6.7%, Germany4.3% (2014) Commercial Agreements Albania is an aspiring EU country and has signed the EU Association Agreement CEFTA – Albania is member of Free Trade association of Central Europe Albania is member of World Trade Association and has free trade agreements with a number of countries Free Trade agreement with Turkey (EFTA) –European Free Trade Association

Measuring Progress Albania is ranked in the 58-th place out of 190 countries, 32 places better than 2016 - "Doing Business 2017“ , World Bank report simplification of paying taxes through online payment, Albania has improved with 45 places Albania is ranked in the 65-th place in the world referring to “Index Economic Freedoms 2017” Heritage Foundation report As reported, procedures for opening a business have become cheaper and don’t require capital. Government is in the process to remove subventions for many public services like, electricity, water, agriculture products, and railway transportation. Albania has improved 20 places, now is ranking in the 42nd place - referring to the report for “Economic Freedom in the World” for 2016 of the Frasier Institute The most improvement were International Trade, where Albania has improved with 35 places and Legislation where Albania improved with 48 places

Albania - Investment Indicators Macroeconomic Stability Stabile prices. Stabile Exchange rates. Low Inflation Inflation Rates - 2013: 1.9%, 2014: 1.6%, 2015: 1.9% Domestic economy and Trade is expanding In First Quarter of 2016 growth was 3% Projected: 2016 = 3.2 %; 2017= 3.5 %; 2018 = 3.8 % Competitive low Tax and Incentives Competitive taxation system Incentives for strategic investments. Incentives for strategic sectors (Agriculture, Energy, Tourism). Investment initiative: Albania “1 Euro” Competitive Labor Cost Albania has the lowest wages in Europe; Social security ‘on costs’ amount: – 24.5 % of gross wages Training and employment formula is supported by Government Free Trade Agreements with largest markets - Free trade agreement with EU, Turkey, CEFTA and EFTA.

Albania - Investment Potential It is the gateway to the Balkans Strategic location of Albania in the West Balkans and it’s vicinity to the European markets Connection to Europe through two ports in the Adriatic and the Jon sea Favorable climate for strategic sectors like Agriculture and Tourism Free Trade Economic Zones: planning two free zones Albania is looking for Strategic Private investors to develop two full service Free Zones for technology and economic development, located in Koplik and Spitalle. Significant Increased Foreign Investments Approximately 1 billion USD per year for the period 2008-2014. More than 10500 companies with foreign capital TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) – project will invest $1.5 billion in 2016-2017. 215 km land and 37 km sea Ease of registering businesses One-Stop-Shop for registering, license, permit requests etc. Time = 8 hours / Cost = 0.7 Euro

Albania - Investment Opportunities Open to multiple forms of Investment: private, public-private, strategic Tourism and Agriculture The coast and middle region has 285 days of sunshine and 2,000 mml rain per year The average daily temperature in January is 6.5 °C, while in July and August it is about 24.5 °C Similar seacoast as Greece and Montenegro but more competitive pricing for land or services Mountain tourism is underdeveloped; 38 % increase year on year for Czech tourists Energy and Mining: renewable and traditional Patos-Marinza is the largest onshore oil reserve in Europe Large reserves for other minerals Transport and Logistic Extensive road and railway network well connected to major European routes and ports Possibility for new Airports connecting South and North regions using low-cost options

Questions? Ilirian Kuka Embassy of Albania in Czech Republic Business and Economic Affairs e-mail: ike.kuka@gmail.com phone: + 420 776 147 540