Значителна крачка напред за Албания, и подпомогнат от факта, че парламентарните избори по-рано тази година бяха свободни и честни, и премина със сравнително малко насилие, докато предаването на властта е относително гладка. Това ще осигури продължаване на основа за реформи и развитие в бъдеще – макар и колкото е доказано в случая с Турция, статут на кандидат-член вече не означава задължително за обувки в за членство. Той все още ще бъде дълго време за Албания, Т.е.. 10+ години, but at least the course is now clearly set.

С новия $4 млн. евро кредитна линия от МФК, Union Bank ще увеличи наличните продукти и финансова подкрепа за корпоративни и малки бизнес потребители, ангажирани в международната търговия, помогнете на тези фирми достигнете до нови пазари, разшири операциите, и създаване на работни места. Търговия развитие е възпрепятствано от пропуските в техническата инфраструктура на Албания, но подкрепата на МФК ще отпусне допълнително финансиране на местни компании в автомобилната, дрехи, софтуер, and telecommunications sectors.

"Членството в Global програма на МФК Търговско финансиране ще увеличи търговията услуги Union Bank е в състояние да предложи на своите клиенти, като им се даде по-добра банкова опит,"Каза Газменд Kadriu, Главен изпълнителен директор на Union Bank. "За нас е удоволствие да си сътрудничим с IFC в подкрепа на икономическия растеж на Албания, като помага на нашите клиенти Откриването на нови възможности за търговия и растеж."

Union Bank е втората банка в Албания да се присъедини към IFC Global Finance програма търговия (GTFP)член на Групата на Световната банка�тел. The GTFP promotes trade in emerging markets by providing partial or full guarantees for individual trade transactions backed by IFC’s triple-A rating.

"IFC ще помогне на Union Bank се изградят взаимоотношения с нашите международни партньори, дава възможност на банката на нови източници на финансиране,", Заяви Джорджина Бейкър, IFC директор на Global Trade и решения на веригата за доставки. "С присъединяването си към мрежата GTFP, Union Bank ще намали транзакционните разходи и подобряване на достъпа до финансиране за своите клиенти, малки и средни предприятия. "

От създаването си през 2005, на GTFP е издала повече от 15,000 гаранции на обща стойност $25 млрд. евро за банките за свързаните с търговията задълженията на своите финансови институции-клиенти в развиващите се пазари. През финансовата година 2013, IFC условие $3.1 млрд. евро за подкрепа на търговията в най-бедните страни в света, и 80 процента от всички гаранции отиде в малки и средни предприятия. The GTFP включва повече от 500 participating partner banks.

За IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, е най-голямата световна институция за развитие, фокусирано изключително върху частния сектор. Работа с частни предприятия в повече от 100 страни, ние използваме нашата столица, експертиза, и влияние, за да помогнат за премахване на крайната бедност и насърчаване на споделено благополучие. В FY13, инвестициите ни се изкачи до най-високата от близо $25 милиард, leveraging the power of the private sector to create jobs and tackle the world’s most pressing development challenges.

За Union Bank
Union Bank оперира в албанския пазар за повече от седем години и сега управлява мрежа от 30 клонове и агенции в страната. Union Bank осигурява богато портфолио от продукти и услуги, както за търговски и корпоративни клиенти. За повече информация, посещение www.unionbank.al

Целта ни през следващите четири години е: Албания, 7 милиона туристи годишно. Нашата цел е да представи на голям туристически пазар на света най-добрите проекти на туристически зони от Stille Cape, в St. Jozef и Velipojë ", – Министър-председателят представи една от основните цели за следващите четири години като същевременно се гарантира, че най-големите компании от областта ще се договор за изготвяне на най-добрите туристически проекти. Източник: Правителство

Recently more and more Russian Investors are visiting Albania and looking at the potential of investing in Albania. Russians initially were very interested on investing in Montenegro purchasing property at 1,000 – 3,000 Euros/m2 which is very expensive should you compare it to the Albania Real Estate. Albania’s stunning coastline would be a perfect fit for what the Russian Investors are looking for.

With one of its largest borders being against the Adriatic Sea, Albania has some of the best beaches in Europe. Albanian beaches hold some distinct advantages over beaches in other European nations. They are still quite untouched and not crowded. Some of the more popular ones do start to fill up in the high season but once August passes it is possible to get a prime spot in any Albanian beach.

Some of the perfect areas for the Russian Investors to look into are:

Mali Robit

Mali Robit is one of the most popular beaches in the country. During the summer season it attracts quite a crowd, making the quality of the water slightly questionable. Mali Robitis a very sandy beach about a 40 minute drive from the city of Tirana. There are a few low rise constructions near the beach but also a beautiful pine forest to help add to the scenery. Mali Robit is a beach that is best visited after the high season when the crowds start to dissipate.

Shengjin

Shengjin lies about 50 minutes north of Tirana, near the Kosovo region. It is a beach town and one of the country’s larger ports. Access to the beach has been much improved due to the construction of a new road. Ferries from Italy are scheduled to start so the area holds enormous potential for growth. Nearby Shengjin there are wetlands, pine trees and various local wild life that make up the scenery.

Вльора

Vlors is a sandy beach located where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet. It is a very touristy town that is growing due to the expanding port and thermal power plant. Although locals have their concerns about the impact development will have, currently swimming at Vlora provides some majestic mountain views.

Саранда

Saranda is a shale and pebble beach in the southern part of the country. In fact it is directly opposite to the Greek island of Corfu. Saranda is known for its clean, crystal clear waters. The word is getting out about Saranda as tourist numbers increase every year from holiday makers looking to escape the higher prices in Greece and Italy. The beaches at Saranda are artificial but safe and clean.

Ksamil

Ksamil is a beautiful, white sandy beach that looks like it belongs in the Caribbean rather than Eastern Europe. Намира се на около 25 minutes south of Saranda beach, making it the closest point in Albania to the island of Corfu. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrinti is only a few minutes away, as well.

We have Russian speaking agents as well on our team. Contact us and you will love our service and of course the properties we offer

Panariti said that the Chinese authorities pledged their support for increased Chinese investments in Albania, adding that a large group of Chinese investors will visit Albania in a very near future.According to Panariti, Chinese government has also shown interest and is considering plans to establish direct flights between Beijing and Tirana.Commenting on his visit to Australia, head of Albanian diplomacy noted that “Australian government authorities expressed readiness to explore ways of investments in Albania’s mining sector and enhance cooperation in the area of education and cultural exchanges.

Of possible interest to some Chinese investors is the Albanian government’s proposal to award citizenship to foreigners who invest at least 100,000 euros in their country. Buying a home would be an easy route to obtaining that citizenship, so developers are keen on the idea. Some Albanians are concerned the citizenship plan may be exploited by foreign criminals looking to hide from their own governments, so it has yet to be enacted. Обаче, even if the citizenship plan remains sidelined, it is clear Albania’s property market and wider economy is opening up for business, and Tirana wants Chinese investors to become a big part of it.

Albania has recently been one of the ‘forgotten’ states of Europe, but is now beginning to emerge from the shadows as one of the next emerging destinations for overseas property buyers. With a beautiful coastline on the Adriatic Sea, a developing economy, and a government that has been elected on a manifesto of cleaning up crime and corruption and growing the economy, optimism is high.

The country managed to avoid getting involved in the devastating Balkan conflict of the 1990s, and amid the new-found stability of the region, combined with the solidity of Greece on its southern border, Albania has managed the transition from Communism to democracy with relative ease. There have been some issues, and no-one in Albania would claim the system is yet perfect, but things are moving in the right direction.

This guide explains how to purchase property in Albania. It is primarily for those buying from Britain but can help guide anyone investing from overseas.

1. Consider why it is worthwhile buying property in Albania. Albania is not yet the finished article for overseas property investment by any means, but it is often in this kind of country that the best offers are to be found. Фактически, studies have shown that prices in Albania are among the cheapest in Europe – which also means yield has remained stubbornly low. Обаче, as the global economic slowdown hit, the property market in Albania had not developed to such a point where property was overvalued, or excessive development had caused a glut of supply. Следователно, there are those who feel that Albania could be extremely well-placed when the overseas property markets begin to pick up again.

2. Look for the popular buying locations in Albania. As Albania is clearly still an emerging market for the overseas property industry, for the vast majority of people who buy there in the next couple of years there will be at least some element of investment to their purchase. As property buyers will be looking for the tourist market to make up most of the rentals, and then towards the local market as the economy continues to develop, rentability will be a key factor in deciding both what type of property and where they purchase.

There are a number of options available for property in Albania, focusing mainly on two types – city apartments and beach properties. City apartments will, for the moment at least, be limited to the capital of Albania, Тирана. As well as being centrally located geographically, Tirana is the commercial and cultural hub of Albania. It is also home to around one in four of the Albanian population, therefore having good potential for rentals as the country develops and the population look for more luxurious property in which to live.

Tirana is also growing and developing its infrastructure as its free market economy begins to mature. Tirana international airport has been recently renovated at a cost of over £40 million, and the current housing stock is of low quality. The demand for new housing has not decreased but banks are not financing like before. Very strict regulations have been introduced since the start of economic crisis in banking sector 2 преди години, and Greece as well having a big influence in the future of Albanian economy. Nevertheless prices remain at reasonable levels per square meter. Real estate investment prospects are still attractive.

On top of this, there is the potential to buy properties to let to students in the future. Tirana is also an educational center, with more than ten universities in the capital itself. Outside of the capital, the best places to invest are along the coastline, which leads from the Adriatic Sea in the north to the Ionian Sea in the south. Albania is already something of an established tourist destination in the local region with many visitors from Italy, Greece, Germany and Italy, particularly during the high season from June to August. В резултат, there are already a number of well-established coastal resorts in Albania which could easily present some great investment opportunities in the medium- to long term.

Durrës is the former capital city of Albania, and now an important trading and port city, having become the primary external commercial outpost of the country. Durrës is also the favoured destination for Albanians living and working in Tirana to escape for the weekends, and many of the more well-off inhabitants of Tirana have second homes in the city. Travel from Tirana to Durrës takes just 20 minutes by car, the same as it does from the international airport.

Property is primarily apartments near the centre, and with the tourist season running throughout the whole of June, July and August, and the fact that accommodation is so hard to come by during this period, there are good opportunities to rent property out. Prices are slightly higher here than in Tirana, but rental yields of up to eight per cent should be realistically achievable.

Outside of the main season, the climate in Durrës is pleasant enough to make it and ideal holiday home destination. Capital appreciation is also impressive, with property prices rising by 10 per cent per year for the past two years, though forecasts for the future will be somewhat below this if growth does continue. Further south, Vlora is the second port in Albania, and marks the confluence of the Adriatic and Ionian seas. It is an important trading city for Albania’s exports, but is by no means an industrial blot on the landscape.

The city, the base for a booming tourist trade along the coastal reaches, has a rocky coastline extending in both directions away from it with sandy beaches dotted throughout. Behind the city, the landscape is framed by nearby mountains. Vlora itself is a pretty and colorful city, with wide boulevards and a relaxed pace of life. The palm trees that decorate the place give it a real Mediterranean feel, while the Llogora National Forest is just half an hour away. The drive from Tirana currently takes around two hours. Capital appreciation is estimated to be at around 20 per cent per year.

Накрая, the gateway to the south of Albania, Саранда, is also an important tourist and trading town, located as it is just a thirty minute ferry journey from the Greek island of Corfu. This is the part of Albania with the warmest, most Mediterranean climate, and commonly known as the most attractive town on the Albanian Riviera. Attractions for tourists, aside from the warm seas, include the ruins of the World Heritage Site at Butrint.

3. Buy a property. The property buying process in Albania is quite simple and well-established. Once you have signed a reservation form and provided certified identification along with your reservation fee, you should always look to engage an independent lawyer that you have sourced yourself, in order to make sure the transaction is being carried out in accordance with the law and that you know for what you are signing. You should also always make sure that you have copies of all contracts in English so that you can refer back to them at any time you need to.

Some two to three weeks after your reservation, you should receive the pre-sales contract, which is when the initial deposit is paid. This contract will set out the terms of the agreement, the schedule of building for off-plan purchases, and the date of completion. Upon completion, the final transfer of deeds is carried out. You do not necessarily have to be present at this part of the deal if you are happy to sign over power of attorney to your legal representative.

4. Finance your Albanian property. Despite the fledgling free market economy in Albania, and the huge failure of the pyramid schemes in the latter part of the 20th Century, there is a wide and competitive range of products available in the mortgage market. Също, many of the larger western banks have entered into the market, making products comparable to the standards we are used to in the most developed economies. Terms are similar to other European finance products as well, with loans of up to 80 per cent of the value of the property and 15 – 25 години. Unlike many emerging markets, interest only mortgages are also available, though the recent economic woes of the major global powers have meant that credit across the world is much harder to find than it was previously. You also have the option to finance your property in Albania through raising finance on a property you own in the UK. You may find a more advantageous interest rate financing this way, and should you not have the 20 per cent deposit ready and available in cash it may give you the option to raise it through a part-mortgage on your UK home. The services of an independent financial adviser at this stage can save you significant amounts of money in the long term.

5. Be ready to pay the Albanian property fees and taxes. Transaction costs for buying a property in Albania are very low. There is no purchase tax, and property transfer costs amount to three per cent of the purchase price. Legal costs, including a public notary and your own representation should come to no more than €2,000. Once you have bought in Albania, running costs of property are also low. Municipal tax rates vary from location to location, but are typically €0.25 per square metre per year in the coastal areas. Income tax is just ten per cent, as is capital gains tax, which has only been in force since January 2008.

6.Get the appropriate visas, residency and work permits. Upon entering the country with a valid EU passport, you have the right to stay for up to 90 days without applying for a further extension of your visa. For stays of more than 90 days, and up to five years, you are able to apply for a residency permit at the nearest police station to your property. There are a number of documents that you need to have in order to gain this permit, some of which must be notarized, and some of which must be obtained from the courts and police services in your country of residence stating that you are not currently under investigation or subject to any criminal processes (the so-called ‘good boy letter’). Once again, with Albania pushing for EU entry in 2014, these restrictions will have to be relaxed to allow freer movement to other EU citizens, and the ability to cross borders and reside freely will need to be addressed.

New Albanian Real Estate Portal

by Gordana Davila on 7 Януари, 2013

in News

The tiny Mediterranean country of Albania is not often talked about or thought of as a holiday destination, even though it shares the same pristine Adriatic waters as tourist magnets Croatia, Montenegro and Italy.

Once part of the ‘iron curtain,‘ the country was known as The Socialist Republic of Albania, which was dissolved 1991, the new Republic of Albania was established and formally applied for EU membership in 2009.

В 2012 the U.S. Department of State stated that, Albania has put in place a liberal foreign investment regime and increasing FDI is a top priority for the GOA, and that the government has taken measures to improve the overall business climate in the country.

Tourism is also beginning to tip its proverbial hat to the country, with the Lonely Planet listing Albania as the number one tourist destination on its Top Ten Countries to visit in 2011.

With Albania experiencing a sort of rebirth, it’s no wonder that real estate is being sought for by local as well as international investors (especially Russian). Property sites are beginning to make their presence known; the latest is Albania-Estate.com which offers residential, commercial and industrial property in the capital city Tirana, and covers the main beachside resort towns of Durres, Химара, Vlora and Saranda.

The aim of the new website is to become the largest Albanian real estate portal, with a large network of local real estate professionals, offering properties for Sale and Rent including apartments, villas, shops, offices, warehouses and land, as well as holiday apartments and villa rentals for tourists. The website will also feature off plan investment property, for individuals who are looking to invest in Albania at the current low prices.

Илир Круши, Albania Director said: “We are very pleased to launch our new website. Since launching Albanian property for sale in 2005, the demand for property here has grown and grown, due to the very low property prices and capital growth and rental return projections. Now we want to offer more services and features to cater for this emerging market.”

Albania Estate is translatable into 65 languages from Afrikaans to Yiddish. Listings offer ample information on the property, including plenty of photos, key features and location details. The option to sign up for a free newsletter is available, PDF plans of apartments/houses featured on the site are easily accessed and a property guide is offered by submitting one’s contact details. The site also offers extensive information about Albania, from its history and culture to practical travel information.

Though contacting Albania Estate proved to be a bit challenging (technical issues perhaps), the website is an attractive, easy to navigate website, and that’s most important when making a good first impression on a new visitor to its main page. Now to book a trip to Albania.

UPDATE: Though we experienced a bit of techno-trouble while attempting to contact Albania Estate, it seems our correspondence reached them after all, they were very quick to reply, and they are looking into the issue. This is a great sign, as customer service is very important.

Shqipëria dhe Kosova duhet shikuar si tregje komplementare dhe jo konkurruese. Kështu ka deklaruar kryetari i Odës Ekonomike të Kosovës(OEK), Safet Gërxhaliu, me rastin e takimit me Ilir Zhillën, kryetar i Unionit të Dhomave të Tregtisë dhe Industrisë të Shqipërisë.

Gërxhaliu po ashtu ka thënë se partneriteti ekonomik me Shqiperinë është i një rëndësie të veçantë për zhvillimin ekonomik të Kosovës, forcimit të besimit reciprok në mes të bizneseve kosovare dhe atyre shqiptare dhe sa më i avancuar të jetë ky bashkëpunim në mes të dy ekonomive komplementare dhe jokonkurruese, do të jemi më seriozë ndaj një populli në dy shtete të ndara, ndaj investorëve potencialë nga jashtë, ndaj fondeve strukturale evropiane dhe mbi të gjitha ndaj Brukselit si pikësynim i përbashkët i të dyja shteteve.

Gjatë vizitës që i bëri Zhilla Odës Ekonomike të Kosovës u bisedua për sfidat aktuale në bashkëpunimin ekonomik mes dy komuniteteve të biznesit, për pasojat dhe dëmet që ka shkaktuar pengimi i depërtimit të patates së Kosovës në Shqipëri, por në të njëjtën kohë kërkoi nga kryetari Gërxhaliu që të bëjë dialogim konstruktiv me Doganat e Kosovës lidhur me mundësinë e zgjatjes së orarit të punës së doganierëve kosovarë në pikën kufitare në Vërmicë 24 orë, sepse pritja e bizneseve nga Shqipëria në pikën kufitare prej orës 19:00 në mbrëmje deri në ora 08:00 të mëngjesit të ditës së nesërme është një barrierë, e cila e pengon avancimin e bashkëpunimit ndërshtetëror.

Po ashtu ai ceku edhe deklaratën e kryeministrit të Shqipërisë, Sali Berisha, që në raporte

tregtare mes Kosovës dhe Shqipërisë duhet të eliminohen të gjitha barrierat, sepse vetëm në këtë mënyrë mund të kontribuojmë në zhvillimin ekonomik reciprok dhe të rrisim atraktivitetin për investitorë të huaj.

Zhilla po ashtu apeloi tek komuniteti i biznesit kosovar, të cilët kanë përvojë evropiane në menaxhim të hoteleve, restoraneve dhe agjencive turistike që të jenë të orientuar drejt Shqipërisë për të gjetur mundësinë e marrjes së hoteleve në Shqipëri për menaxhim dhe shfrytëzim, pasi që shumë hotele në Shqipëri janë të pashfrytëzuara nga vetë fakti i mungesës së aftësive menaxheriale, aftësi të cilat shumë kosovarë i posedojnë por nuk kanë kapital për të ndërtuar kapacitete të tilla hoteliere.

E tëra kjo do të ndikojë edhe në ngritjen e shfrytëzimit të mundësive dhe kapaciteteve hoteliere në Shqipëri përmes sistemit know-how dhe kuptohet të arrihen efekte të dyanshme pozitive.

Të dyja palët u pajtuan se vërtet duhet të avancohet dialogimi me tematikë ekonomike në mes të dyja shteteve dhe duhet të eliminohen të gjitha barrierat që e pengojnë këtë proces dhe të kthehet besueshmëria në mes të dy komuniteteve për projekte dhe investime të përbashkëta në të ardhmen, sepse nga ky ngërç i krijuar për momentin mund të përfitojnë shtetet e rajonit dhe më gjerë e jo Kosova dhe Shqipëria.

Të shfrytëzohen të gjitha potencialet

Kryetari Safet Gerxhaliu theksoi se e gëzon fakti që pas ndërtimit të Rrugës së Kombit, interesimi i kosovarëve për blerjen e apartmaneve në Shqipëri është në rritje e sipër dhe se vetëm në vitin 2011 janë blerë banesa dhe apartmane në vlerë prej afër 30 milionë eurosh, por kjo në të njëjtën kohë obligon që partneriteti ekonomik të jetë në fokus, pasi që pa bashkëpunim ekonomik dhe shfrytëzim maksimal të të gjitha potencialeve komperative Rruga e Kombit dhe investimet në infrastrukture nuk do të kenë efektin e pritur./zeri