Jaço wrote in the social media after the meeting to say that they discussed on the potential and opportunities for American investments in Albania.

Jaço was optimistic about the growth of investments in the next decade although he emphasizes that fundamental reforms must be implemented in Albania so that to create a strong business climate to attract more American investors.

“Had an insightful discussion with David Wisner, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy, about the promising potential and opportunities for US investments in Albania!  Vital reforms must happen, to create a robust business climate to allure more US investors.  But despite challenges, I’m optimistic about investment growth in the next decade. Wishing David success in his mission in Albania & in supporting improvement of the business environment”, wrote Jaço in the social media.

In the last three years, Albania has seen a tripling of American investments.

From about 80 million dollars in 2019, they reached 220 million dollars in 2022.

Data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) show that in the first 8 months of this year, imports from the US increased, but exports decreased.

In terms of value, imports reached 11.4 billion ALL from 9.1 billion ALL that were in the 8th month of 2022, while exports fell to 2.9 billion ALL from 10.6 billion ALL that were in the same period of 2022./p.s./

She reacted in this way to the statements of the head of the American Chamber of Commerce Enio Jaço, who said that the business climate in our country is unfriendly. Bilali emphasized that this last statement is contradictory to Jaço’s previous statements.

“4 days ago Head of AmCham expressed his satisfaction that American investments in the country have tripled. 3 days later, after the publication of the report of the Department of Trade (not updated for 2 years), retrieved by the State Department with some changes, he stated that the problem is the unfriendly business climate. The question that immediately comes to mind is, how does the Albanian chairman of AmCham (normally, he should contribute to the objective reading of the current situation on the ground) explain the fact that the Americans invested 3 times more in Albania for the last 4 years, while a series of other large American investments are in the process of preparation?!”, wrote Bilali.

“No one denies the problems, but since I have been in this position, I have neither encountered nor heard of any American or European company, which the business climate in Albania prevented from investing! On the contrary, I have only had very positive reactions from them about the hospitality and treatment in Albania. I have heard the same from my colleagues! What a shame when our fellow citizens, even more so in such functions, have a negative influence, without any facts or figures, in the feeding of perceptions that have been distorted for years, either in the public opinion, or in friends and foreign partners!”, wrote Bilali.

“But thankfully, in the end, the facts and the work remain; tourism Albania has impressive data!”, she concluded. /p.s./

He said that Albania should offer an attractive environment to ensure strategic investors!

“Sustainability is the present-day challenge; so how to make these investors stay for a long time. To achieve this, we need a competitive business and investment climate. Factors such as the ease of permits, the level of corruption, do investors have a chance to enter public procurement, are investment incentives competitive, are the real issues that determine the investment climate. We must provide an attractive environment to secure strategic investors”, said the President of the American Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking about American investments in Albania, Jaço said that, “For years, investments stagnated at around 80 million dollars, but over the last two years, investments have increased to 220 million dollars – an exceptional increase of 250%”. /gj.m/p.s./