Why Albania? This is a question that we at AIDA – the Albanian Investment Development Agency – often get asked by foreign investors. Rather than find enough reasons the challenge in giving an answer is how to be succinct and to the point.

So, why invest in Albania: Well, because of its dynamism, its fast growing, emerging economy that has proven to be the most resilient in the region during the recent financial and economic crisis; because of its lean, business-friendly government with a flat tax rate of 10 percent, and streamlined business procedures that enable you to register a company or get all the permits needed in one day at the cost of one Euro; because of its openness towards foreigners and foreign investment; because of it young, educated, cost-competitive work force; because of the entrepreneurial spirit of its people; because of its strategic position at the gates of more than 65 million consumers of southeastern Europe; and last, but not least, because of the sun, the Mediterranean climate, and the well-attested quality of life.

Therefore, we welcome you explore Albania as your next investment destination.

We also welcome you to our Agency, and urge you to use it as your main partner in Albania while you decide about investing here and throughout the investment process if you decide to do so.

AIDA is the official investment and export promotion agency. Its main mission is to attract foreign investments and provide support and after-care services to the investors that decide to invest.

AIDA is the official investment and export promotion agency. Its main mission is to attract foreign investments and provide support and after-care services to the investors that decide to invest. It also aims to provide support to local SME, in particular those with export potential, strengthen their competiveness and promote “made in Albania” products in the world.

AIDA serves as a one-stop-shop for inward investors ensuring fast and efficient services. It can help you get a feel for the country, research the market, single out hot sectors, and meet up with valuable local partners. It can help you register, get a licence or a permit if you need one, and navigate the country’s laws and regulations about taxes, customs, labour and so on.

AIDA is directed by a Management Board chaired by the Prime Minister, and whose members are, among others, five cabinet ministers representing the most important sectors of the Albanian economy. This enables us to address the needs of the investors involved in complex projects that require coordination among various central and local state authorities.

Just a few days ago, the Ashta hydropower plant, was inaugurated. The plant is built on river Drin in northern Albania, has a capacity of 50 megawatts, and is one of the 300 small, medium, and large ones to be built in the country following more than a hundred concession agreements signed, or to be signed, by the Government. This is an investment of more than 200 million Euros undertaken by two well-known Austrian firms operating in the energy sector, Verbund and EVN.

In fact, energy, in particular clean energy is one of the sectors that offer huge opportunities for investment. But then, so is tourism, considering more than 400 km of turquoise coastline and snow-peaked mountains of breathtaking beauty; or, agribusiness, with a fast-growing cluster of companies producing bio, “made-in-Albania”, products; or the infrastructure sector, and the list goes on.

Again, AIDA welcomes you to explore these opportunities, and draw on the strengths and know-how of our Agency as a trusted partner while doing so.