Newsletter, January – March 2025
- March 31, 2025
About the Upcoming Investment Council Meeting
January 2025
The upcoming Investment Council (IC) meeting will focus on private sector expectations regarding the digitalisation of local government services. This topic was selected as a priority by business representatives through the Council’s agenda voting process. The discussion aims to foster dialogue on private sector perceptions of local digital initiatives, in alignment with Albania’s Digital Agenda 2022–2026 and the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
Throughout its mandate, the IC has addressed a wide range of issues related to business interaction with local authorities. These include the use of the e-permit platform, informality in the tourism sector, the inspection process, and the quality of digitalised services provided to businesses. The Council’s discussions have also touched upon the legal and regulatory aspects of service delivery at the municipal level.
Consultative Meetings on Local-Level Business Challenges
February–March 2025
As part of the preparatory process for the upcoming IC meeting, the Secretariat held a series of consultative meetings with representatives from the business community and local government authorities in the municipalities of Tirana, Elbasan, Korça, Kolonja, Durrës, and Lushnja. The consultations focused on the challenges and expectations of the private sector regarding the delivery of administrative services at the local level. Key issues raised during the discussions included:
- Observations on the pace of digitalization and the potential for broader use of electronic platforms to streamline administrative procedures;
- Experiences with existing service models, including One-Stop Shops and the e-permit platform;
- Varying levels of readiness to transition from traditional to digital service delivery formats;
- Perspectives on transparency in interactions between businesses and municipal authorities.
Survey: Business Perceptions on the Digitalisation of Local Public Services
February–March 2025
As part of the preparatory work for the upcoming IC meeting, the Secretariat conducted an online survey with the participation of 163 businesses. The goal was to gather insights into business expectations and challenges regarding the digitalisation of local public services.
The survey focused on the following key areas:
- Assessment of local public services delivered digitally (online or through in-person channels);
- Levels of satisfaction with the quality and cost of these services;
- Business priorities for further digitalisation of local services;
- Interaction with municipal authorities, including aspects of communication, transparency, and access to information.
The findings will be presented at the upcoming IC meeting and later published on its official website and social media platforms.
The Investment Council in Support of Policies to Improve Access to Finance
5 February 2025
As part of the IC’s ongoing efforts to enhance the business climate and address the key challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Bank of Albania has recently approved a new financial support programme specifically aimed at this sector. Valued at approximately 25 billion Albanian lek (ALL), the programme was developed in response to repeated requests from the business community, many of which were communicated through the Investment Council’s platform. This initiative reflects the outcomes of productive institutional cooperation and aims to expand access to finance for traditionally underserved sectors, such as agriculture and agritourism. The programme will offer favourable lending conditions, including subsidised interest rates, allowing SMEs to apply for loans of up to ALL 25 million.
Collaboration with Academia – "Tung Ideve 2025" Competition
28 February 2025
The Head of the IC Secretariat participated as a jury member in the annual “Tung Ideve 2025” competition, organised by Epoka University. During the event, students from various schools across the country presented their innovative ideas and competed for the “Best Startup” award. Participation in this initiative underscores the commitment to promoting the IC’s recommendations and fostering youth entrepreneurship to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem, where collaboration between academia, the private sector, and public institutions is key to economic development.
Dialogue with the Private Sector on the New Personal Data Protection Law
10 March 2025
The IC Secretariat, in collaboration with the Commissioner for the Right to Information and the Protection of Personal Data (IDP) and the Foreign Investors Association of Albania (FIAA), organised a consultative meeting with over 40 private sector representatives to discuss Law No. 124/2024 “On Personal Data Protection.”
The aim of the event was to raise awareness about the rights and obligations arising from the new legal framework, while also identifying practical challenges businesses may face during its implementation. The discussion emphasised the importance of strengthening inter-institutional cooperation and providing technical support to the private sector to ensure effective adaptation to the new law and alignment with European Union standards.
Contribution to the Regional Meeting “The Common Regional Market – An Accelerated Path Towards European Economic Integration”
26 March 2025
As part of Albania’s presidency of the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP), the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation (MEKI) organised a regional meeting on the Common Market. The event brought together representatives from countries in the region, EU institutions, local stakeholders, and business leaders.
The Head of the IC Secretariat, Ms Diana Leka (Angoni), participated in the discussion panel on the challenges faced by local businesses in the context of accelerated European integration. She emphasised the importance of supporting export-oriented sectors and aligning with EU standards. She also called for policies focused on improving quality and raising entrepreneurs’ awareness of the requirements stemming from the transposition of European legislation.
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.
