The Albania Business Guide is the first independent investor's handbook to this promising country in Southeast Europe. An initiative of Gazmend Haxhia in cooperation with the Corporate Training and Enterprise Management Institute, Utrecht University in the Netherlands, Tirana Municipality's Unit for Economic Development and GTZ, the Albania Business Guide was published in April 2006, and is to be updated annually.

The Albania Business Guide is sponsored by Austrian Airlines, Avis, Emporiki Bank, Interalbanian Insurance Company, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Opel Noshi and Rogner Hotel Europapark Tirana.

The 100-page Albania Business Guide is written by a team of international professionals and is an ideal introduction to the country for both businesspeople and investors. See below for a detailed content description; additionally, several original articles from the book can be read on this website.

The Albania Business Guide can be purchased in selected shops in Albania for the equivalent of €15; click here to order the Albania Business Guide online by credit card.

Introduction: Why not Albania?
Interview with Prime Minister Dr. S. Berisha

Chapter 1: Albania: country and image
Albania's image abroad, and realities at home

Chapter 2: Economy & Business environment
Albania's economy
Albania's labour force: potential for the future
Albania and the EU
Albanian entrepreneurs: risk takers or risk managers?

Chapter 3: Key sectors of trade and investment
Real estate: a buoyant market despite obstacles
Albanian tourism: behind the scenes
Telecom & IT technology
Logistics and shipment
Manufacturing
Energy
Agriculture, food and rural development

Chapter 4: Legal structure & Business regulation
The business environment in Albania
Tax-free zones

Chapter 5: Banking & Financial services
The Albanian banking sector
Insurance in Albania
Social insurance in Albania
Non-banking financial services
IT penetration and incentives

Chapter 6: Tirana Investment guide
Doing business in Tirana

Appendix
Internet resources
Basic data
History of Albania
Tirana map & Street register
Tirana city centre map
Albania map

Interviews
Interview with George Caracostas, CEO of the Emporiki Bank
Interview with Arian Musa of Opel Noshi
Interview with Polish ambassador Artur Tomaszewski
Interview with Ann Margaret Westin, Representative of the IMF
Interview with Lutz Salzmann, ambassador of the European Comission
Interview with Dutch ambassador mr. Sweder van Voorst tot Voorst
Interview with Lulezim Basha, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport