The Albania Business Guide is the first independent investor's handbook to this promising country in Southeast Europe and is an initiative of Gazmend Haxhia in cooperation with the Albanian Center for Management Services, Utrecht University in the Netherlands, Tirana Municipality's Department for City Promotion. The second edition of the Albania Business Guide was published in summer 2009.

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 is sponsored by Albania Experience, AVIS, Emporiki, Green Hours, InterAlbanian, Lincoln Center, Microsoft, Raiffeissen and the Rogner Europapark Hotel.

Copies of 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 using a credit card.




Sample articles
Entrepreneurship by Gazmend Haxhia
Energy by Edvard Bajrami
Real estate by Marin le Corre
Business environment by Jarno Hoekman

Foreword: Come feel the change

Chapter 1: Albania: country and image
Albania’s image abroad, and realities at home
Prejudice and reality in Albania

Chapter 2: Economy & Business environment
Albania’s slow but steady progress
Setting the conditions for foreign investments and growth
Work in progress
On the road to Europe
A portrait gallery of Albanian entrepreneurs

Chapter 3: Key sectors of trade and investment
Energy
Privatisation reform and land administration
The leather and footwear sector
Cautious optimism for the property market
Revisiting a potential tourist destination
Albania’s hotel industry
Information Technology
Logistics
The future of universities

Chapter 4: Legal structure & Business regulation
Foreign investment and Public-Private Partnership
Taxation regime
Labour relations and social insurance

Chapter 5: Banking & Insurance
The Albanian banking sector
An overview of the insurance market

Chapter 6: Doing business in Albania
The role of the American Chamber of Commerce in Albania
Networking in Albania
Observations on the Albanian economy and society
Doing business in Tirana

Chapter 7: Appendix
Business directory
Basic data
History of Albania
Tirana map
Albania map & Street register

Interviews
Interview with Gazmend Oketa, Albania’s Minister of Defence
Interview with Camille Nuamah, chief of mission of the World Bank
Interview with Fraser Wilson, former British ambassador
Interview with Jack Cortenraad, director of SNV
Interview with Henk van den Dool, Dutch ambassador
Interview with Sotir Dhamo, Polis University
Interview with George Caracostas, CEO of Emporiki Bank
Interview with Seyhan Pencapligil, CEO of BKT Bank
Interview with Oliver Whittle, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank