Albania has implemented a liberal foreign investment regime with the goal of increasing foreign
direct investment. The Law on Foreign Investment allows 100 percent foreign ownership of
companies and outlines specifi c protections for foreign investors. In addition, Albanian tax
policy does not distinguish between domestic and foreign investments. The U.S. - Albania
bilateral investment treaty entered into force in 1998 and ensures that U.S. investors receive
most-favored-nation treatment. The government has taken measures to improve the overall
business climate in the country by streamlining business procedures through e-government
reforms and improved legislation in a variety of sectors. The Republic of Albania is a party
to 43 bilateral agreements for mutual protection and encouragement of foreign investment.
Currently, another six bilateral agreements are being negotiated. In addition, Albania is also a
party to 38 bilateral agreements for economic, trade and technical cooperation and fi ve other
agreements are being negotiated. Albania is also a party to the Convention on the Se# lement
of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States. In every bilateral
investment treaty there is a standard clause providing that, in the case of a dispute between
the Republic of Albania and a potential investor, this dispute shall be submi# ed before the
World Bank’s International Center for Se# lement of Investment Disputes. The Albanian Law
on Foreign Investments provides for equal treatment of local and foreign investors in the
Republic of Albania. Foreign investors in Albania can obtain the same assistance and use the
same privileges and opportunities as granted by the law to local investors