Albania strategy

Strategy (473KB - PDF)

Comments (70KB - PDF)

Local language translation (614KB - PDF)

 

Challenges

The global financial crisis has resulted in a contraction in exports, lower remittances, and reduced foreign investments -  all of which are likely to contribute to significantly lower growth. The country’s business environment continues to suffer from a high level of corruption, serious shortcomings in the judiciary and weak institutional and law enforcement capacity.

Despite sizeable investments in recent years, infrastructure remains an obstacle to private sector development, including a transport network in need of further upgrading, lack of reliable power supply, and limited attention environmental consequences of rapid economic expansion. Despite progress achieved since 2005, poverty remains widespread, particularly in rural areas, which encourages continued emigration.

The EBRD and Albania

The Bank’s focus over the strategy period will be to strengthen state institutions; invest in infrastructure, including upgrading of national, regional and local road transport networks; further strengthen the banking system; support SMEs / MSEs and bank financing of these companies to improve competitiveness; and support the development of the non-bank financial sector. 

As in the past, the Bank will coordinate its activities with other IFIs and donors, especially in the context of the new Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) together with the EC, EIB, CEB and bilateral donors.

Last updated 21 April 2010