Analysis of risks and investments’ opportunities in water sector

While water demand is projected to grow by 41% by 2030, considering also the ultimate reserves of drinking water, it is believed that this element will attract the majority of investments in the coming decades. Opportunities in drinking water sector are numerous, because its process of providing and delivery of drinking water includes many aspects: management of infrastructure, design of technological solutions, conservation and water’s quality. These opportunities result from the difference between water supply and water demand; an increasingly difference that requires capital investments in production and water treatment technologies. Investments need to be combined with the knowledge on the legislation, regulatory framework and technological developments. This article may serve to clarify type of investments in drinking water sector, known by literature, to identify opportunities of investment in this sector, indicating the theoretical framework of beta and alpha risk ratio coefficient calculation and to suggest how these types of investments can be allocated to the investment portfolios

Water Privatization in Developing Countries: Case of Albania

A safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water and sanitation service for all individuals is a human right recognized explicitly from the United Nations General Assembly (Resolution 64/292, July 2010). Access to clean drinking water is so crucial for development that developed countries have made significant investments in water infrastructure (production, distribution investments in investments in piping, pumps, water purification systems and wastewater treatment plants etc.), managerial structures and capacities. The picture is very different in developing countries. One of the main problems is the lack of efficiency of the water systems, leading to a higher loss rate (from system leakage and illegal connections to the system) and cost-recovery failure because of the low revenues from tap water sales. In most of the cases governments fail to finance the financial loss of the water suppliers and in this way fail to fulfill the public need for drinking water and sanitation and water treatment services. So an alternative to solve the situation is seen the privatization of drinking water sector. The paper will give a summarized picture of the phenomenon in the world having as the case study the situation in Albania during years starting from the legislative frame, previous attempts to future tendencies related to the privatization of drinking water sector. The main objective is to explore the arguments pros and cons related to the privatization of “an economic good” such as water suggesting different alternatives in this context

Financing SMEs in Vlora City, Albania: between Game Theory and Lack of Information

AbstractThe SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) play a crucial economical role, especially in transition economies. However, the financing problem affects the SMEs’ development. Information asymmetry between banks and enterprises is the main reason for the SMEs’ gaining funds so hard; the banks do not know the operating conditions and credit situation of SMEs. The study focuses on the analyses of the game of (in) complete information and financing growth strategies of SMEs in the city of Vlora to face with challenges of a sustainable development and a competitive market

POPULATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE EMERGING ECONOMIES

The impact of population on economic development is an issue that has sparked debate across different organizations. Despite discussions, one thing is clear: developing countries are not able to afford a very large increase in population. Unlike developing countries which are facing increasing number of population Albania has recently decrease of population. The main challenge for Albania is: population is ageing; this brings reduction in workforce participation. The methodology consists in using secondary data from World Bank reports for econometric approach, obtaining quantitative results through regression analysis, for a period of 24 years (1990-2014) with the purpose to examine the economic effects of the demographic transition in developing countries. The objective of this paper is to determine main demographic factors that affect economic development and economic growth in developing countries, empirically stated for Albania case. By identifying the factors that influence the economic decrease we have the opportunity to put forward in the future the best policies to ensure sustainable economic growth

POPULATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE EMERGING ECONOMIES

The impact of population on economic development is an issue that has sparked debate across different organizations. Despite discussions, one thing is clear: developing countries are not able to afford a very large increase in population. Unlike developing countries which are facing increasing number of population Albania has recently decrease of population. The main challenge for Albania is: population is ageing; this brings reduction in workforce participation. The methodology consists in using secondary data from World Bank reports for econometric approach, obtaining quantitative results through regression analysis, for a period of 24 years (1990-2014) with the purpose to examine the economic effects of the demographic transition in developing countries. The objective of this paper is to determine main demographic factors that affect economic development and economic growth in developing countries, empirically stated for Albania case. By identifying the factors that influence the economic decrease we have the opportunity to put forward in the future the best policies to ensure sustainable economic growth