Second Albania Business & Investment Summit kicks off today in Tirana
TIRANA, Sept.14 – The 2nd Albania Business & Investment Summit starts today and will be held for two days in hotel Sheraton in Tirana. The summit is another sign of how Albania has attracted more and more interest from international investors in its post-communist economy. The summit organized by the European Finance Convention in collaboration with AlbInvest has the theme “Invest in Albania 2007.”
With its developing market economy, Albania offers many opportunities for investors, not least in the areas of private equity and venture capital as well as energy/infrastructure, according to organizers of the summit.
The new Albanian government will try to offer an improving two-day trading potential, especially with the European Union markets as part of their re-generation program. Albania has also entered into free trade agreements with all Balkan countries, opening new opportunities for trade within the region.
Albania signed the June 2006 Stabilization and Association Agreement, considered as the first step toward membership in the bloc.
The summit will have five main panels. The first panel will focus on: top government priorities to attract further foreign direct investment, the competitive advantages of Albania as an investment location, the potential next stage to improve Albania’s links with the EU, and the possibility of offering skilled and multi-lingual workforce as a new option for Western-based companies looking at setting up a regional business. The second panel deals with the banking sector and will analyze the new developments of the banking and insurance sectors in Albania, increasing interest of the investment banks for syndicated operations in Albania, risk assessment and rating related issues, the future of the securities market, and the new trend in FDI: the private equity and investment fund routes. The third panel will have the following presentations: “The need for a ‘one-stop shop’ available for potential investors “, “Western SMEs looking for venture capital opportunities and acquisitions. What the local businesses have to offer?” , “What foreign importers/investors are looking for” , “Complying with the EU Standards for Albanian exporters.” The fourth panel will discuss privatizations in Albania with a special focus on construction, tourism, agriculture, ICT, telecom and financial services. The final panel will have its spotlight on the energy sector.
Participants from the highest levels of administration, international institutions in Albania, business companies and banking sector instances will address the summit. Representatives of all Albanian agencies related to investment will also have important presentations in the forum.
