Conference the UK – Albanian Trade and Investment Forum

The British Albanian Chamber of Commerce held a very successful conference the UK – Albanian Trade and Investment Forum on the 5th of June 2018 at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall London. The aim of forum was to explore opportunities for investments in Albania by International companies with particular focus on energy waste management and tourism.
It was attended by industrialist, politicians and consultants from Albania and the UK.  Also present was the Patron of the Chamber Lord Alan Watson of Richmond.  Total of over 60 people participated.

The forum was chaired by Mr Zenel Hoxha,  President of the Chamber who welcomed the delegates. He expressed the hope for mutually satisfied exchange of ideas which spying result in the emerge of the practical projects and investments in Albania.

The opening presentation was given by Lord Alan Watson of Richmond CBE, Patron of the Chamber. He expressed optimism about future prospects for investment in Albanian. “In the event of Brexit becoming happy reality retailers in the UK would be looking for new sources of supply and this could be a golden opportunity for Albania” he stated. He felt that it was important that the momentum with new investments should be maintained. The chamber offers clear direction in which it wishes potential investors to focus to have meaningful impact and opportunity for successful JV cooperation with local companies too.

The Member of the British Parliament, Mr John Grogan, addressed the participants of the Forum, on his capacity as the Chairman of the All Party Group on Albania. The participants had the opportunity to enjoy an inviting speech which involved them on getting to know 10 simple facts on Albania which could influence their experience as visitor or their success of their investment such as: the locally underappreciated quality of the local products, the wonderful celebrations, the magnificent and potential of the various forms of tourism among others. Mr Grogan also explained the support provided on government level and the security cooperation.

This was followed by a presentation by His Excellency the Albanian Ambassador to the Court of St James Mr Qirjako Qirko. The Ambassador paid tribute to the efforts of the Albanian British Chamber to promote Trade and Investment opportunities between Britain and Albania. He considered there where opportunities for two-way trade with Albanian companies finding outlets for their products into the British markets. Mr Qirjako offered a detailed information on the latest government incentives available to the investors including financial support. The Government of Albania is focusing on attracting and facilitating big investments on the tourism area, while the infrastructure and energy are the key words not only for Albania but the region too.

The Forum entered the focused part of the presentations with the Chief of the Cabinet of the Ministry of the Infrastructure and Energy Mr. Llatja delivering detailed information on the developments plane that the Ministry has planned and the opportunities for international companies can get involved. The energy sector and the focusing on the solar energy production is one that many of the investors present were very much interested on.

Mr. Neil Budd, Partner at the Shakespeare Martineau law firm, provided helpful tips on the investments invectives and issues that any foreign companies can find in Albania. His various visits in Albania, the contacts with central and local Government organised by the Chamber offered his company the opportunity to provide a detailed risk assessment for would be investors.
Mr. Parick Strong, Director of the Chamber, summarised the facts, point of view the points raised by the questions of the participants and offered the way forward proposed by the Chamber – which emphasised the need for the companies to get in touch, get involved even more with the decision making or advising the government. The more companies join the Chamber the stronger the voice in support of business and more B2B opportunities too.

The participants of the Forum have been given quite some information and investment potential to consider, while they are invited to offer their expertise on issues which the Government of Albania is seeking.
If you would like detailed information on the speeches and proposals, please wire here at info@abcci.com