Newsletter, January – March 2026
- March 31, 2026
Interview: A Decade of Business–Government Dialogue
January 2026
In an interview with Monitor magazine, Ms. Diana Leka (Angoni), Head of the Investment Council Secretariat, assessed the evolution of business–government dialogue and progress in reforms in the context of EU integration. She highlighted the role of the Investment Council (IC) in addressing key investment climate issues, including the regulatory framework, property rights, and access to finance. Referring to business challenges, particularly in productivity, innovation, and alignment with EU standards, she stressed that businesses need to engage earlier and in a more structured manner to effectively represent their interests. At the same time, she underlined the need for government and international partners to consider targeted transitional support instruments. Strengthening public–private cooperation and improving access to information for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remain key priorities in the integration process.
IC Agenda for 2026
January 2026
Members of the IC approved the work agenda for 2026 through an online vote, based on a set of 10 themes and issues proposed by the Secretariat. The process was underpinned by a preliminary, comprehensive analysis of business concerns identified through surveys and field consultations, as well as through the continuous contributions of IC members. It also drew on findings from publications by chambers of commerce, business associations, and international reports on the investment climate.
Monitoring Report on the Implementation of IC Recommendations 2025
February 2026
The report provides an overview of progress achieved and remaining challenges in the implementation of the Investment Council’s recommendations. It highlights advances in several key areas, including access to finance for SMEs, formalisation of the economy, digital transformation, export expansion into new markets, and improvements in the property rights framework. At the same time, important challenges persist, particularly in strengthening inter-institutional coordination, enhancing implementation capacity, and improving financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs.
Advocacy for strengthening public consultation and dialogue capacities at ASPA
6 February 2026
The Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Albania, in cooperation with the Albanian School of Public Administration (ASPA) and in the presence of the Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption, Ms. Adea Pirdeni, organised the event “ASPA for the Private Sector: A New Offer for Professional Development.” At the forum, Ms Diana Leka (Angoni), Head of the IC Secretariat, referring to the Secretariat’s latest analysis and survey (December 2025), highlighted the positive expectations of businesses regarding the EU integration process. She underlined the need for earlier consultation on legislative packages and stronger two-way engagement between public institutions and the private sector, as well as the need to strengthen the capacities of both public institutions and business associations. She also proposed the integration of public consultation modules into ASPA training programmes, with the aim of improving the quality of policy-making processes.
On public–private dialogue in the context of the Reform Agenda and Growth Plan
11 February 2026
At a conference organised by the Institute for Cooperation and Development (CDI), with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Tirana, discussions focused on the achievements of the Reform Agenda and the next steps towards EU integration. In this context, Ms Leka highlighted the importance of investing in sustainable institutional capacities, particularly in reforms related to the EU Single Market and the digitalisation of public services, as well as the need for closer coordination with the private sector to maximise the benefits of the reform process. She also underlined that the 2026 Work Plan of the IC is aligned with reform priorities, where legal certainty of property rights and Green Agenda-related issues have been identified as priority areas for the upcoming period.
Launch of preparations for the first IC meeting 2026
February 2026
In line with the implementation of the 2026 agenda, the Secretariat initiated preparations for the first meeting of the Investment Council, which will focus on legal certainty of property rights, identified as the top-ranked priority by members. In this framework, consultative meetings were held with key institutional partners (e.g. State Cadastre Agency, Agency for the Management of Local Activities) and relevant stakeholders (UNOPS, EU Delegation, AmCham Albania, NAREA, and the Notaries Association). The objective was to gather preliminary feedback on existing challenges and inform the preparation of recommendations on key business priorities in this area.
Business survey on legal certainty of property rights
March 2026
Following preliminary analysis and consultations with stakeholders, the Secretariat launched an online survey with businesses as part of preparations on the topic of legal certainty of property rights. The survey focused on property registration processes and the functioning of administrative practices. Its implementation was supported through cooperation with the National Chamber of Notaries, the Real Estate Association (NAREA), the Women’s Economic Chamber (WECA), the Agribusiness Association, and the Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
SECRETARIAT PUBLICATIONS
Monitoring Report on the Implementation of IC Recommendations 2025
Monitoring Report
INVESTMENT COUNCIL IN THE MEDIA
Monitor Magazine, 23 January 2026 [in Albanian]
Digitalisation of local services: IC notes digital transformation of services remains complex
SCAN TV, 24 March 2026 [in Albanian]
Digital cadastre and faster services – Investment Council recommendations: improving transparency and business facilitation
Videos
SCAN TV, 20 January 2026 [in Albanian]
What are exporters’ expectations for the EU? – Investment Council: 7 in 10 companies...
SCAN TV, 21 March 2026 [in Albanian]
Sovereign guarantee in agriculture: need for review / Investment Council: costs to be assessed...
ABOUT ALBANIA INVESTMENT COUNCIL
The Investment Council is a platform set up by the Albanian authorities with support from the EBRD and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) to intensify dialogue between the government and the private sector, improve the business climate, and promote good governance.
