Learn about barriers to market entry and local requirements, i.e., things to be aware of when entering the market for this country.

All sectors are open to foreign investors and there are no legal barriers to market entry. The government has made significant reforms to ease trade and encourage foreign direct investment, including in administrative procedures, customs, business registration, licensing, payment of taxes, and e-procurement. Nevertheless, major challenges remain:

Corruption: Corruption is endemic in Albania, particularly in the judicial system. This subject is covered more in depth in Chapter 6.

Weak judicial system and poor enforcement of contracts: While implementation of judicial reform is underway, courts remain slow, inefficient, and subject to political pressure and corruption. Enforcement of court decisions remains problematic.

Property issues: The official register of property titles is incomplete and poorly maintained. Multiple claims to the same property are common, and there are legislative and legal gaps regarding restitution and compensation.

Lack of proper infrastructure: Albania’s infrastructure requires further investment, despite improvements in recent years.

Frequent legislative changes: Private investors complain about frequent legislative changes and a failure by the government to adequately consult with the business community before such changes are made.

Competition from well-established European companies, distance to market, a small domestic market, and low GDP per capita are factors to consider before entering the Albanian market.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.