This paper follows an e-consultation as well as the debates of a dedicated forum. It is built on the existing legal and institutional context of both countries – Albania and Kosovo – and is viewed from the perspective of bilateral and regional initiatives. Although they are at different stages in advancing relations with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the process of integration into the European Union, specific aspects of the legal framework of the latter two have been widely appreciated.

The topics that attracted the attention of the contributors can be divided as follows:
• Analysis and commentary on the evolution and profile of trade relations between Kosovo and Albania.
• Analysis on economic complementarity between the two countries, and on the sectors and actors most relevant in terms of exchanges between them form the second group of contributions.
• Better application of existing administrative and legislative measures and optimal use of the current regulatory and legislative framework is one of the most important conclusions of this discussion.

The very important role of history and politics in both countries and their shared future in the European Union concludes the set of major topics addressed in this forum.

This publication is available in Albanian language only.

Tags: Economy, Governance, Regional Cooperation

This study was prepared as part of the project “Promoting Internet Broadband in the Accursed Mountains”, implemented by the Minister of State for Innovation and Administration and Cooperation and Development Institute, and funded by the European Union under the IPA instrument, Albania-Montenegro cross-border cooperation programme.

The study consists of four chapters:
1. “Overall assessment of the socio-economic development of the area, geographical position and terrain, area demographics, state of mountain tourism and the prospect of its development through broadband access and broadband internet connection”.
2. “Preparing the list of broadband internet operators and providers in the selected area, evaluating the existing legal framework and policy documents with suggestions for their improvement, identifying the synergies of using broadband internet to enhance cross-border cooperation in exchanges of tourists and increasing trade exchanges.”
3. “Broadband Internet Services in the Accursed Mountains.
4. “Financing Broadband Internet in the Alps”.

The process of preparing this study group was led by Ms. Anis Lamllari, Project Director for the first three chapters, and by Ms. Krisela Hackaj for the fourth chapter.

This study report is in Albanian language only.

Tags: Economy, Local Development, Society

The factsheet “Workforce analysis of 57 Water & Sewage Companies” has been prepared by Cooperation and Development Institute with the support of Austrian Development Cooperation. Some of the main findings of the research are:
– 5,783 employees work for Water & Sewage Companies. In the six months there has been an increase of 4.44%;
– The average age is 48.2 years old and 35% of the employees are over 55 years old;
– 4500 employees share 19 job titles out 130 job titles that are in total;
– 20% of the employees have studied Agronomy related subjects;
– the bigger and the more urban they are, the companies look alike regarding their internal organisation and impact of HR in their technical profile & financial results;
– only 27 companies have an organogram.

Tags: Economy, Governance, Public Policy

The new Municipality of Durres rather than a local unit of the Republic of Albania, is a center where economic and social interactions for the whole country are networked and joined. With 85% of active companies, the totality of the administrative centers of main public enterprises at regional level (and some at country level, such as the Port of Durres or Albanian Railways), and 65% of the population, the administrative unit of Durres (current municipality) is clearly the dominant unit of the new Municipality, incomparable with the socio-economic strength of the other five units.

This analysis allows us to understand that the economic structure of the New Municipality of Durres in order to be consistent, should be oriented toward clusters of enterprises, which are actively affected by the strategic support policy from the central government (much more than the Municipality).

Regarding to the public services of the New Municipality, our attention is drawn by two main groups: direct administrative public services to citizens, such as civil services, and public services to the context surrounding the citizen, such as waste management, water and sanitation, etc. In the first case, during 2015-2016 the New Municipality will have as primary challenge maintaining the quality and network service at the same level at least as before the RAT.

Tags: Decentralization, Economy, Local Development, Society

The Municipality of Durres, within the framework of Law No. 107 / dated 31.07.2014, “On Territorial Planning” has undertaken the initiative of drafting the Territorial Strategy 2015-2030. The Local Government Unit's Territorial Strategy is the highest planning tool of the territory. It reflects the vision, priorities, objectives, ways and expected results of socio-economic development at the local level.

Also the “Territorial Strategy 2015-2030” reflects and breaks down at local level the priorities of the “National Strategy for Development and Integration 2015-2020”, as well as all mandatory provisions deriving from the National General Plan, National Territorial Strategic Plans, and Local Plans Affecting the Development of Durres Municipality Territory.

The aim of the Municipality is to draft the vision of the development of Durres 2030, in function of its territory and to orientate the socio-economic development by efficiently utilizing the economic potential of the territory and environmental and social resources at the service of the citizens of Durres, business stakeholders and other interest groups.

This initiative was undertaken by Mr. Vangjush Dako, Mayor of Durres Municipality, and in this process the Municipality is assisted by the Cooperation and Development Institute – CDI, under the leadership of Mr. Ardian Hackaj.

Tags: Decentralization, Economy, Local Development

This Policy Brief was prepared for the Symposium on “16+1 Cooperation” in Synergy with the “Belt Road” Initiative”, organized by Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing 25 June – 1 July 2017.

The current text is an updated and adapted version of March 2018 for publication under the Berlin Process Series. The Berlin Process Series is an initiative started by Cooperation and Development Institute, in November 2015, in Tirana, and supported by Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Konrad Adenauer Foundation and Hanns Seidel Foundation.

It consists in:
a) Research on the Berlin process and its priority areas;
b) monitoring of progress in Connectivity Agenda and in WB6
Regional Cooperation; and
c) Annual conference on the Berlin process”, followed by publication of conference proceedings.

Tags: China, Connectivity, Economy, Transport, Western Balkans

In 2018, Chinese investment in the Western Balkans shifted from infrastructure towards mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Two such M&As took place in the mining and rubber sector while a Chinese-owned steel mill in Serbia jumped from bankruptcy in 2016 to the 66th biggest company in Southeast Europe in 2018. Speedy loan procedures and the revitalization of “lost” cases characterize the Chinese involvement in the region. But Chinese companies are absent from regional cooperation thus limiting the expansion of “China Inc.”.

Moreover, when compared with investment volumes by the EU in the region, China’s resource commitment still remains small. The “Berlin Process” in the region focuses on connectivity and regional cooperation. This may provide the launching pad from which “China Inc.” and corporations in Europe can connect. It could be a win-win- scenario starting from the Western Balkans.

Tags: China, Connectivity, Economy, Transport, Western Balkans

The Belt & Road Initiative has spurred the production of a large number of data, information on and research into Chinese endeavors in the Western Balkans (WB). This existing body of knowledge has created the base from where further and more focused research can be carried on, and relevant information needed for decision-making can be produced.

In the Balkans, the main challenge of the region remains the ever-lasting transition towards European standards of democracy, institutional efficiency and a market economy, as well as the gaping need for significant investment in infrastructure and production facilities. Lately, Chinese companies have been increasing their investment and involvement in the region.

The main pull factors in the Balkans are the region’s huge investment needs in infrastructure, re-industrialization and the improvement of public goods and services, exacerbated by the lack of access to the EU Structural Funds. The main economic push factors for China relate to the availability and competitive prices of Chinese technology; the Western Balkans geographical location on the BRI road- and maritime corridors; a decent return on investment (ROI) rate; and the WB access to EU market quotas.

This report is a written version of the contributions made during the international seminar organized by the Cooperation & Development Institute (CDI), in partnership with Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSS) and the Southeast Europe Association (SOG), held under the title “Corporate China in Western Balkans”, on 16-17 May 2019 in Tirana, Albania. The report has been prepared by Ardian Hackaj, Research Director at Cooperation and Development Institute based on seminar notes and recordings, and enriched with additional data provided from the participants after the seminar, and / or references of their previous research and / or publications.

Tags: China, Connectivity, Economy, Transport, Western Balkans

The European Commission intends to publish a new methodology for the EU enlargement in the Western Balkans in early 2020. While the hope is that the new document will re-establish EU consensus on enlargement and revive its exhausted policy toward the Western Balkan region, there are already clear signs that it will all end up as another paper pushing exercise. Without tackling the root causes of the current situation, notably the enduring socio-economic entropy and political backsliding in the Western Balkans, this new move will only diminish the leverage of the EU. What is needed is a human development-centered EU enlargement model for the Western Balkans.

Tags: European Union, Western Balkans , EU integration , Economy , Migration

While the European Union has become the epicentre of the global Covid-19 crisis, the countries of the Western Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia – have so far remained remarkably lightly affected. Even neighbouring Turkey, although having a high number of confirmed cases, has so far counted far fewer deaths than many West European countries. This is in spite of the fact that all countries of Southeast Europe (SEE) have large diasporas in the EU, with large numbers of cross-border family links and movements.

In this Bulletin we present comparative summaries of the situation in each of the SEE countries. These Bulletins will be continued fortnightly, each organised around a central theme. In this first edition, we take stock of the domestic medical situation and the social response to the coronavirus outbreak.

For more information about this project, click here.

Tags: Albania, Economy, European Union, Western Balkans, Covid19