The American Chamber of Commerce in Albania (AmCham Albania), with the support of the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), convened a focus group discussion on the implementation of the foreign direct investment (FDI) screening mechanism. The event brought together representatives from public institutions, the business community, business associations, and industry experts to exchange views on implementation challenges, practical considerations, and best practices related to this important regulatory framework.
In his opening remarks, AmCham Albania Executive Director Neritan Mullaj highlighted that the establishment of an effective and transparent foreign investment screening mechanism represents a significant milestone in Albania’s efforts to align its regulatory framework with European Union standards.
“AmCham considers this process an important tool for strengthening investment security while ensuring that unnecessary barriers are not created for investors. Our goal is to identify areas where further clarity is needed during the implementation phase and to provide constructive, practical recommendations that support an effective and predictable framework,” said Mr. Mullaj.
The session was moderated by legal expert Albana Karapanço, who provided an overview of the applicable regulatory framework, key elements of foreign direct investment screening mechanisms, and recent developments in European legislation and practice.
Throughout the discussion, representatives from the Ministry of Economy, AmCham member companies, and relevant experts shared their perspectives and experiences regarding the practical application of the mechanism. Key topics addressed included the role and responsibilities of competent authorities, screening procedures, administrative timelines, the identification of investments falling within the scope of the mechanism, and the importance of developing clear implementing measures to ensure legal certainty and predictability for investors.
Participants also presented examples of approaches adopted by European Union Member States and other jurisdictions, highlighting practices that could provide useful guidance for the effective implementation of the mechanism in Albania.
Concluding the event, AmCham Albania reaffirmed its commitment to fostering continued dialogue between public institutions and the business community, with the objective of supporting the development of a clear, transparent, and predictable implementation framework aligned with European standards and international best practices.
As a next step in this process, AmCham Albania will organize a second focus group discussion aimed at consolidating the key findings and identifying additional best practices. The outcomes of these discussions will contribute to the preparation of a practical guidance document to support stakeholders in the implementation of the foreign direct investment screening mechanism.
