Special business registration center in 2007

TIRANA, Jan. 22 – The Business Regulatory Reform, one of the main priorities of the current Albanian government in its economic focus, will start producing results in the vry short term. The fact was made public by Vice Minister Eno Bozdo who elaborated that the key changes will be shorter time for registration, proper registering procedures and a special center to be complete in the second half of 2007. The new legislation which is being prepared envisages a “non stop shop”- type of center that prioritizes short time requirements and lower costs for the registration of new businesses.
The government is trying to improve the business climate, assisted by several loans and foreign launched programs. There are two more legal packages that are aimed at a general improvement of the financial sector, the Leasing and the Factoring laws, according to the Economy Ministry.
Bozdo elaborated that the other strategic priorities include supporting exports. AlbInvest, the special agency of Investments and Privatization will be very active in 2007. It will cover, with a government allowance, more than half of their marketing strategy costs to offer Albanian products and services to the international market. Another reform will be in the field of Certification and Standard checking institutions that will finally provide all legal assurance of the quality of Albanian products so that they can compete in the European markets. Actually this is one of the main problems identified by the business community that intends to export. Finally, Bozdo said that in the field of state-owned privatization effectiveness and not haste has been recommended. A gradual privatization of Albpetrol, ARMO, INSIG, AMC is projected for 2007. Part of these companies has a shared capital which makes their sale easier.
Around 16 percent of AMC shares will be sold. ARMO is due to be completely privatized in the first six months of 2007. Oil companies, Albpetrol, Servcom and Transnafta have a longer term and will be sold in 2008. The government is trying to be cautious in selecting strategic investors in order to boost the energy market. Other companies in the list are the insurance provider INSIG, and the problematic power utility, KESH.