Trade Policy Review: Albania

The Third Trade Policy Review of Albania

The third Trade Policy Review of Albania has provided us with a good opportunity to better understand and discuss the developments of Albania’s trade and trade-related policies since its last Review in 2016. The Review has benefitted from the constructive and informative participation of the delegation of Albania, headed by H.E. Mr. Endrit Yzeiraj, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy of Albania, as well as the insights and comments provided by the Discussant H.E. Dr. Sabri Bachtobji, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the WTO. I would like to thank the 11 delegations that took the floor during the meeting, and those delegations that showed interests in through their advance written questions, for their contribution to this exercise.

Albania’s Strong Economic Performance

Members commended Albania’s strong economic performance over the review period despite facing internal and external challenges such as the 2019 earthquake, the COVID pandemic, and geopolitical tensions. Some Members highlighted the importance of regional integration and regional value chains, strong labour market outcomes, and increased formalization.

Commitment to the Multilateral Trading System

Members positively appreciated Albania’s strong commitment to the multilateral trading system and highlighted its active participation in a large number of working groups and initiatives including the four Joint Statement Initiatives on electronic commerce, investment facilitation, MSMEs, and services domestic regulation as well as trade and environmental sustainability, trade and health, and trade and gender. Members also appreciated the Albania ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement in 2016, and the expansion of the product list under the Information Technology Agreement. In addition, Members highly praised Albania recent acceptance to the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

Efforts to Accede to the Agreement on Government Procurement

Several Members welcomed Albania’s renewed efforts to accede to the Agreement on Government Procurement and encouraged it to submit the initial market access offer. They noted efforts already being undertaken by Albania to further improve its notification record, in particular; sanitary and phytosanitary measures; quantitative restrictions; and agriculture.

Reforms towards EU Membership

Many Members referred to Albania’s objective of becoming an EU Member and appreciated related reforms undertaken, including efforts to improve and formalize the investment environment, customs, energy, tourism, and financial services, government procurement; as well as reforms undertaken in the areas of justice and anti-corruption. Many members highlighted the significant achievements to digitalize government services via the e-Albania portal in efforts to simplify administrative processes and increase transparency.

Concerns Raised by Members

Some Members raised questions and requested further information regarding the enforcement of online copyrights and infringing goods, standards and SPS measures. They raised other concerns including: some applied tariffs seem to exceed the corresponding bound rates; time limit for Members to comment on SPS measures; and issues relating to the enforcement of laws and transparency on related administrative procedures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the delegation of Albania has clearly demonstrated that it places a high value on the Trade Policy Review Mechanism and the Multilateral Trading System through its active engagement over this two-day meeting.

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