Speaking at an event organised by AmCham Albania and the Center for International Private Enterprise, Ibrahimaj said the mechanism was developed over more than two years in cooperation with international partners and in line with European Union standards as part of Albania’s EU accession process.

The framework is designed to enhance transparency and safeguard strategic national interests without creating barriers to investment, she said, adding that similar mechanisms are already widely used across the European Union and other advanced economies.

“This mechanism does not create obstacles for businesses or unnecessary administrative procedures. On the contrary, it provides greater security, transparency and a more reliable environment for serious investors,” Ibrahimaj said.

Nancy VanHorn, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Albania, described the framework as an important step that signals Albania’s openness to investment while protecting national interests and aligning with international standards.

She said U.S. investors were closely monitoring the process, noting that American companies are already active in sectors including energy, construction and technology, while others are considering entering the Albanian market.

VanHorn said investors seek clear rules, fair competition and safeguards for strategic sectors, adding that effective implementation of the framework would be critical to its success. The United States, she said, would continue to support Albania throughout the process.

Ibrahimaj highlighted the country’s strong investment performance, noting that foreign direct investment exceeded 1.6 billion euros last year.

“Foreign direct investment is a key indicator of confidence in our economy. Beyond supporting growth, it contributes to the transfer of technology, management standards and business expertise,” she said.

AmCham Albania Executive Director Neritan Mullaj said the framework was intended to provide a transparent and predictable regulatory environment, helping balance openness to investment with the protection of strategic interests and strengthening public trust.

The mechanism was presented by Deputy Economy Minister Enkelejd Musabelliu, followed by a panel discussion on its implementation involving representatives of AmCham Albania’s legal and investment committees.

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Albania has seen sustained growth in tourist arrivals in recent years, but the main challenge remains increasing visitor spending and the value generated by each tourist, the Chamber said.

According to the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), Albania welcomed around 12.5 million foreign visitors in 2025, up 7% from a year earlier and 82% above 2019 levels, one of the fastest growth rates in the region.

However, average spending per visitor remains below that of more developed regional destinations. The Chamber said a tourism model still heavily reliant on seasonal travel and low-cost accommodation limits revenues, long-term investment and sustainable employment.

Against that backdrop, the Chamber described a planned 4-billion- euro tourism development on Sazan Island and in Zvërnec, southern Albania, as a strategic investment that could help shift the sector towards higher-value tourism.

The project, backed by Affinity Partners, is expected to create around 1,000 jobs on Sazan Island and thousands more as development progresses, it said.

Beyond direct employment, investments of this scale can act as a catalyst for further international capital inflows by strengthening Albania’s profile as a tourism investment destination, the chamber added.

It said strategic investments deliver the greatest benefits when accompanied by strong institutional and environmental standards, helping lay the foundations for the long-term competitiveness of the tourism sector.

The chamber called on state institutions, businesses and local communities to view strategic tourism investments as an opportunity to support long-term economic development and increase value creation within the country.

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Speaking in parliament during a debate that touched on the proposed tourism development in the Zvërnec area, southern Albania, Berisha accused the government of creating conditions that discourage foreign investors.

“Foreign investment is of vital importance for Albania’s development,” Berisha said, adding that the country had failed to attract major international investors in recent years.

He cited several large-scale projects carried out during the period when DP was in government, including the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and hydropower developments on the Devoll and Fan rivers, saying foreign direct investment had reached between 1.2 billion and 1.4 billion euros annually between 2008 and 2013.

Berisha said investors whose projects had been approved by government institutions and other state agencies should be protected from subsequent legal and administrative disputes.

“If an investor has obtained all the necessary approvals from state institutions, responsibility for any later conflicts should not fall on the investor,” he said.

DP supports full respect for property rights, Berisha added, arguing that individuals claiming damages or ownership violations should seek compensation from the state, which should also prosecute any cases involving fraud or document falsification.

His comments came amid public debate over a proposed tourism investment in the coastal area of Zvërnec, where questions related to land ownership and development plans have sparked controversy.

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Speaking at a meeting of the Socialist Party assembly in Municipal Unit 14 in Tirana, Rama said the country now has “something to show” on the global stage, reflecting tangible economic progress.

“Earning respect internationally is not just about how you dress or speak, but also about who you represent and what you represent. I believe our improved position internationally is the result of having something to show, not just knowing how to present it,” Rama said.

He highlighted strong growth in tourism and foreign direct investment, which he said have contributed to economic development.

“When we took office, Albania had just over 2 million tourists, and that figure included all entries into the country, regardless of whether they held Albanian or foreign passports,” Rama said.

He added that Albania now attracts around 12 million visitors holding foreign passports.

Rama also said foreign direct investment has risen sharply, from an average of 300–400 million euros in earlier years to more than 1.5 billion euros currently.

“All of this is money flowing into the economy,” he said.

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Investment in financial and insurance activities totalled 219 million euros during the reviewed period, according to data from the Bank of Albania.

The increase reflected both the expansion of new projects and higher capital injections by financial institutions already operating in the domestic market, the data showed.

Interest from new investors also strengthened in 2025.

The Bank of Albania approved a new branch of a Turkish bank as well as a digital bank, moves expected to intensify competition and broaden the range of financial services available in the country.

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According to the Bank of Albania, Türkiye was the largest investor in Albania during the first quarter of 2024, with the value of Turkish investment estimated at 69.5 million euro, up by 116% compared to the same period of the previous year.

The total of Turkish investment in Albania is estimated at 1.06 billion euros until the end of first quarter, rising 27% year-on-year.

Turkish enterprises keep playing an important role in Albania’s financial, energy and extractive sectors.

Data from central bank show that the neighboring Italy ranked second with the net flow of investment amounting to 41 million euros in the first three months, slightly down by 4.7% compared to the same period of the previous year. Italy remains one of the top investors and Albania’s main trading partner.

The stock of Italian investment reached 1.53 billion euros in the end of March, recording an increase by 26% compared to the same period of 2023.

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Data from central bank showed that investment in Albania’s real estate sector by non-residents in the January-March period amounted to around 84 million euros, registering a 71% year-on-year increase.

Investment in the real estate sector accounted for around 24% of the total value of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Albania.

According to the findings of a regular survey of Albania’s central bank, around 26% of real estate properties sold in the second half of 2023 were purchased by non-residents, with one third of them coming from non-EU countries.

The Bank of Albania estimates that the stock of foreign investment in Albania’s real estate market amounted to 1.66 billion euros in the end of the first quarter of 2024, edging up by 41% compared to a year ago.

The share of foreign investment in real estate has increased by almost 22 times in the last decade.

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