Overview
2019 Investment Climate Statement – Albania
Openness to Foreign Investment
Albania is an upper middle-income country with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of USD 5,288 (2018) and a population of approximately 2.9 million people, around 45 percent of whom live in rural areas. According to IMF estimates, real GDP increased by 4.2 percent in 2018, and growth is expected to decline during 2019 but remain close to 4 percent in the medium term. Albania received European Union (EU) candidate status in June 2014 and has since been seeking to open accession negotiations. The EU has encouraged Albania to continue progress in reforms related to five key priorities: public administration reform, justice reform, the fight against corruption, the fight against organized crime, and protection of human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities and property rights. Full Report
Exporting to Albania
The U.S. Embassy is committed to supporting U.S. companies interested in exporting to the Albanian market. In this section, you’ll find a brief overview of Albania as an export market and some suggestions for getting started.
Getting Started
In order to conduct business effectively in Albania, it is essential for U.S. firms to have a basic overview of economic conditions and opportunities in Albania. We highly suggest you visit the export.gov page to access the latest Country Commercial Guide on Albania which is prepared annually by the economic and commercial team in Tirana. The report gives prospective investors and exporters an overview of Albania’s business climate. The report can be found at the U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library.
The Market Research Library Includes:
- Country Commercial Guides (read the latest “Albanian Country Commercial Guide”)
- Industry Overviews*
- Market Updates*
- Multilateral Development Bank Reports*
- Best Markets*
- Industry/Regional Reports*
Contact your local U.S. Export Assistance Center for advice and support on exporting to Albania. Contact a Trade Specialist Near You.
Contact the Economic and Commercial staff at US Embassy Tirana at the USALBusines@state.gov
Contact your local Small Business Development Center (SBDCs). Starting a business can be a challenge, but there is help for you in your area. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are partnerships primarily between the USG and colleges/universities administered by the Small Business Administration. The partnership provides educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Contact in-country business support organizations such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Albania.
Business Matchmaking Services for U.S. companies
While the U.S. Commercial Service offers its services and customized solutions to U.S. exporters in 80 countries worldwide, in smaller markets like Albania this responsibility is traditionally handled by the Department of State’s Economic and Commercial Section.
The U.S. Commercial Service in Italy maintains an active “Partner Post” program with the Economic and Commercial Section at the U.S. Embassy in Albania. Through this program, the Commercial Service office in Italy provides guidance and support to the Partner Post in order to offer standard Commercial Service products and services to U.S. exporters interested in the Albanian market.
As a result of this program, the Economic and Commercial Section at the U.S. Embassy in Albania offers a range of business facilitation services. A list of specialized, fee-based business facilitation services available to U.S. businesses in Albania is listed below. For more information on these services please contact the economic and commercial team or e-mail to USALBusiness@state.gov
Embassy Tirana’s regional contact for U.S. Commercial Service can be reached at the following link: http://export.gov/italy
Business Facilitation Services for U.S. Businesses in Albania
-
Partner Search: Identify Albanian potential partners and receive detailed company reports. Determine the marketability of your product or service in Albania.
-
Personalized Business Matchmaking: Meet one-on-one with pre-screened Albanian buyers, sales representatives, and business partners through our Gold Key Service. Leverage customized market briefings, research, and advice.
-
In-Country Promotions: Leverage the Single Company Promotion to reach potential Albanian partners and buyers, an affordable and convenient way to connect with customers in Albania and grow your business.
-
Contact Lists: Identify potential Albanian partners. Market your firm directly to Albanian companies.
For further information on any of these products or others, please contact the Econ/Commercial Team on this page.
Investing in Albania
This section provides information for current and potential investors in Albania.
Potential investors: Getting Started
If you are considering investing in Albania, here are some steps to consider as you get started:
- Register with the U.S. Embassy – If you are planning a visit to consider investment, let us know by sending an email to USALBusiness@state.gov
- Visit host country resources, such as Albania Investment Development Agency www.aida.gov.al and the Business Registration Center for initial information www.qkr.gov.al
- Visit the Albanian Public Procurement Agency for government tenders and opportunities
- Contact local U.S. business support organizations, such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Albania http://www.amcham.com.al/
- Subscribe to our embassy Facebook page or Twitter feed
Current investors: Staying Connected
If you are a current U.S. investor in Albania, the U.S Embassy wants to stay in touch. Here are a few steps you can take to keep the channels of communication open:
- Register with the U.S. Embassy – If you are active in Albania, let us know by sending an email to the contact addresses USALBusiness@state.gov
- Add us to your mailing lists – we are always happy to stay informed
- Subscribe to our embassy Facebook page or Twitter feed
- Set up a meeting with our economic or commercial team to discuss any issues that may arise
Working in Albania
In this section you will find information on business visas, travel advisories, and anti-corruption tools.
Business Visas
U.S. citizens entering or exiting Albania must have at least three months or more validity on their passport. In addition to a valid passport, the Border and Migration officer may ask you to provide additional documents. For a list of documents please see here.
U.S. citizens may stay in the Republic of Albania for up to one year without a residence permit. For more information about residing in Albania, please visit the Embassy’s website here.
For more information on travel of U.S. citizens to Albania, please visit the Albanian Embassy in DC.
Travel Advisories
Make sure to check the current State Department travel advisory for Albania.
FCPA
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is an important anti-corruption tool designed to discourage corrupt business practices in favor of free and fair markets. The FCPA prohibits promising, offering, giving, or authorizing giving anything of value to a foreign government official where the purpose is to obtain or retain business. These prohibitions apply to U.S. persons, both individuals and companies, and companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges. The statute also requires companies publicly traded in the U.S. to keep accurate books and records and implement appropriate internal controls.
More information on the FCPA can be found here: http://www.fcpa.us/.
A party to a transaction seeking to know whether a proposed course of conduct would violate the FCPA can take advantage of the opinion procedure established by the FCPA statue. Within 30 days of receiving a description of a proposed course of conduct in writing, the Attorney General will provide the party with a written opinion on whether the proposed conduct would violate the FCPA. Not only do opinions provide the requesting party with a rebuttable presumption that the conduct does not violate the FCPA, but the Department of Justice (DOJ) also publishes past opinions which can provide guidance for other companies facing similar situations.
Agro-Food Products
The Foreign Agricultural Service’s Rome office represents the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Albania.
Our mission is to provide information to buyers looking for U.S. agricultural genetics, bulk and processed commodities, food, and beverage products. We also gather market intelligence and offer market briefs to help U.S. firms better understand the local market. FAS offers some capacity building and other agricultural technical assistance programs, as well as provides technical expertise in international agricultural policy and trade discussions (i.e. food security, sustainability and climate change).
The FAS Office at the American Embassy in Rome has regional coverage for Albania, including Italy*, Greece, Croatia*, Bosnia*, Serbia*, Malta, and San Marino
* FAS Staff present in country
FAS can help you find U.S. agricultural product suppliers and register you as a foreign buyer of U.S. agricultural products.
Contact us!
FAS has information on foreign import requirements for the following U.S. products
MEAT POULTRY AND EGGS
Albania Information
PLANTS, ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS
Albania Information
- U.S. Plant and Plant Product Export Services
- U.S. Animal Export Regulations for Albania
- U.S. Animal Product Export for Albania
PROCESSED FOOD AND BEVERAGE
- Global information
- Exporting food Products in the United States
- Get FDA Export Certificate information for U.S. Food and Agriculture
SEAFOOD, FISH AND FISHERY PRODUCTS
Albania Information
ALCOHOL AND BEVERAGES
Albania information
ANIMAL FEED AND ANIMAL DRUGS
- Global Information
- FDA Export Certificates
- Eliminate “Pet food Sector Overview”
TRADE SHOWS
AGRICULTURAL, PRODUCTION, TRADE AND MARKETING REPORTS
- Global Information
- Doing Business in Albania (PDF 262 KB)
GENERAL GUIDANCE ON HOW TO EXPORT U.S. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
Key Business Links & Resources
Albanian Government
- Embassy of the Republic of Albania: info@albanianembassy.org
- Prime Minister: kryeministria.al/
- Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs: punetejashtme.gov.al/
- Ministry of Defense: mod.gov.al/
- Ministry of Finance and Economy: financa.gov.al/
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy: infrastruktura.gov.al/
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: bujqesia.gov.al/
- Ministry of Interior Affairs: mb.gov.al/
- Ministry of Justice: drejtesia.gov.al/
- Ministry of Health and Social Care: shendetesia.gov.al/
- Ministry of Culture: kultura.gov.al/
- Ministry of Tourism and Environment: turizmi.gov.al/
- Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth: arsimi.gov.al/
- State Minister for Protection of Entrepreneurship: sipermarrja.gov.al/
- State Minister for Diaspora: diaspora.gov.al/en/
Other Albanian Government Institutions and Agencies
- Central Bank: bankofalbania.org
- Institute of Statistics: instat.gov.al
- Public Procurement Agency: app.gov.al
- Business Registration Center: qkb.gov.al
- Albanian Investment and Development Agency: aida.gov.al
- General Directorate of Taxation: tatime.gov.al
- General Directorate of Customs: dogana.gov.al
- Energy Regulator: ere.gov.al
- Electronic Communication and Postal Authority: akep.al/en
- National Agency of Information Society: akshi.gov.al/
- Agency of Natural Resources: akbn.gov.al
- Financial Supervisory Authority: amf.gov.al
- Competition Authority: caa.gov.al
- Albania Patent and Trademark Office: dppi.gov.al
- General Directorate of Metrology: dpm.gov.al
- General Directorate of Standardization: dps.gov.al
Business Associations
- American Chamber of Commerce in Albania: amcham.com.al
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tirana: cci.al
- Foreign Investors Association of Albania: fiaalbania.al
Other Resources
- EIU Democracy and Quality of Life Index Albania
- Gallup World Poll World’s Happiest Countries (2011)
- Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom
- IMD World Competitiveness scoreboard
- IMF’s Purchasing Income per capita in PPP
- TI Corruption Index
- World Bank Doing Business Survey
- UN Development Program GINI Index
Treaties & Agreements
- Albania signed the Bilateral Investment Treaty with United States in 1995. The treaty entered into force in 1998. For a copy of the treaty please visit the following link:
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/43474.pdf (PDF 165 KB) - Albania has signed BIT and Treaties for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with numerous countries. For a list please visit the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Albania has signed free trade agreements with the following countries:
- Albania also enjoys important trade benefits with EU members since it signed and ratified the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) in 2009