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

2. 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, 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 ( )  Durres ( ) Korça ( ) Shkodër ( ) Vlore ( ) 
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

3. Measuring Progress
Albania is ranked in the 58-th place out of 190 countries, 32 places better than "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

4. Albania - Investment Indicators
Macroeconomic Stability
Stabile prices. Stabile Exchange rates. Low Inflation
Inflation Rates : 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.

5. 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
More than companies with foreign capital
TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) – project will invest $1.5 billion in 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

6. 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

7. Questions? Ilirian Kuka Embassy of Albania in Czech Republic
Business and Economic Affairs
phone: