Albania, likewise other Western Balkan countries, is moving closer to the European market. Albania is becoming more and more attractive for Dutch businesses and investors, due to its strategic location in the region, its growing economy, its advantageous labour cost and promising potential in sectors like: agriculture, infrastructure and tourism.

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The main goal of the economic section of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Tirana lies in the familiarisation of Dutch companies with suitable investment areas. Many Dutch businesses are unfamiliar with Albania and its economy. There are several sectors in which Dutch and Albanian companies can co-operate together.

Dutch-Albanian business co-operation and investments are stimulated by several instruments of the Dutch government like:

NEW: ORIO

The ORET Programme has een replaced by ORIO. The Facility for Infrastructure Development is funded by the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation to encourage public infrastructure development in developing countries.

ORIO contributes to the development, implementation (construction and/or expansion) and exploitation of public infrastructure in developing countries.

Governments may submit a grant application to ORIO. This can be done on the initiative of a private party. Applications which meet the criteria are evaluated in competition. The winning applications will be eligible for a grant. The remaining part must be financed by the local government in some other way; for example, from its own resources, a commercial loan, or funds provided by development banks.

This site tells you which procedure you need to follow to submit an application, the criteria on the basis of which the EVD selects project ideas and which countries are eligible for the programme.

For country-specific ORIO application forms, the Policy Rules Grant facility ORIO and other documents applicable to your country, select the relevant country from the country list.

• ORIO Programme  ORIO

The priority sectors for Albania are:

• Water/water management
• Environment
• Sea Transport

Further programmes:

• PESP Programme  PESP
• PUM   Programme   PUM
• CBI Programme   CBI

One-Stop shop for information on developing your business in emerging markets.

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EVD) has a database "Developing your Business" aiming at stimulating business with and in emerging markets, including many developing countries. Companies can access the database on the internet to find answers to questions about doing business in emerging markets. The database contains information about grants, import and export support, investment, research, networks, training courses and relevant websites.

Improving the business climate and stimulation of the private sector in developing countries has a high priority for the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation, Bert Koenders. Economic growth creates new jobs and helps to combat poverty. Dutch companies that set up activities with foreign partners in emerging markets may qualify for grants under various programmes, such as PSI (Private Sector Investment Programme) and ORIO (Development Related Infrastructure Facility). The new database provides detailed information about these grant programmes.

An extensive English-language version of the database is available at

 www.evd.nl/DyB

. It provides information about the opportunities in each country for the international and local business community. The search engine recognises country names and key words. The database is available free of charge. It is managed by the EVD, the agency for international business and cooperation of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs.

For further assistance and/or information, please contact the Economic Section of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Tirana:

Second Secretary Mrs Noeke Ruiter

Assistant Programme Officer Ms Elga Mitre

Phone: (+355) 4 2240 826/8 or 2240 839

Fax:      (+355) 4 2232 723

E-mail: TIR@minbuza.nl