Over the past decade, Albania has maintained an ambitious programme of economic, legal and institutional reform, largely driven by WTO Membership and its desire to join the EU.

In so doing, it has continued to engage in a remarkable process of transformation from a closed, centrally-planned economy to one that is liberal, market-oriented and private-sector driven, according to a WTO Secretariat report on the trade policies and practices of Albania.

The WTO report, along with a policy statement by the Government, will be the basis for the Trade Policy Review (TPR) by the Trade Policy Review Body of the WTO.

Maintaining sound macroeconomic and fiscal policies, and reforming the business environment, Albania has improved productivity and achieved solid economic growth over the period of 2002-2008, averaging 5.8% per year. Per capita GDP in nominal terms more than doubled over the period, unemployment decreased, and human development indicators suggest considerable improvements.

The report says that Albania would gain from continuing and reinforcing the process of reform, which has yielded such positive results. Given the speed and extent of legislative changes, it is essential to focus on implementation and further strengthening of the judicial system. And in the face of current world-wide economic difficulties, Albania may need to rely more on new sources of growth such as attracting green-field investment and developing a stronger export base.

The report, along with a policy statement by the Government of Albania, is the basis for the first Trade Policy Review (TPR) of Albania by the Trade Policy Review Body of the WTO on 28 and 30 April 2010. Source: World Trade Organization