TIRANA, June 4 /ATA/ – The U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires David Wisner highlighted in an interview on Tuesday that stability, predictability, especially in taxes and the regulatory environment, are absolutely critical to further promote U.S. investments in Albania.
In a joint interview with American Chamber of Commerce President Grant Van Cleve with Monitor magazine Grant Van Cleve, the U.S. diplomat noted that “American investors don’t seek advantages or any special treatment, but they want to know that they’re going to be able to put their dollars to work in a fair and competitive manner.”
“It really is about stability – stability, predictability, the fight against corruption, really being engaged in that and committed to that. It’s giving American businesses a fair shake. Again, that’s what they want. There’s no need for anything special for us. But if we know that we can compete, we’re going to compete,” the U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires David Wisner said.
He spoke about the three priorities of the U.S. Embassy in Tirana.
“One is building defense ties, two is building democracy in Albania, and three is business-to-business ties, which I think is the major thrust of our discussion here,” Wisner said.
Wisner said that efforts are also being made to encourage Albanians to invest in the United States. “Because those sorts of important investments are what are ultimately going to bring our countries closer and closer together and build on the terrific hundred years plus of relations that we have between our two countries,” he added.
AmCham President said that Albania’s regulatory regime is being improved.
“Taxes maybe aren’t the best in the region, but they’re still competitive,” Cleve said.
“The American Chamber of Commerce here has a Business Index, and it is moving in the right direction. Unfortunately, it’s still below 50% of the perception,” he noted.
U.S. investments in Albania have tripled in the last few years, amounting to 300 million dollars. On the other hand, U.S. exports to Albania rose 60% last year alone.
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